Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

The only political party in India today that has a genuine membership which is not communal or caste based is the Delhi and now national AAM Admi Party. The rest are just vote bank or communal with of course the opportunists who always vote with their pockets and wallets anyway.The BJP are a front for the RSS and do what the RSS tell them.Modi is RSS to his hidden tea bags. So is Parikar in Goa. Look whats happened to the law and order situation there with the Taxi drivers now running the state.The BJP are good at presenting themselves with the big lie but when it comes to good governance they are for behind Congress, who it has to be said are corrupt but as one Indian writer said in the press its a choice between a murderer and a moron....Bipat, Modi is a fascist and like Hitler he is good at the big lie and like Hitler he is single and dedicated to his ideological visions. Be aware of this creature. I think i will have a T-shirt printed. "Modi good for Hindus, keeps Muslims down"

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Millions of Indian people have a different opinion to yourself and they have lived their lives there and experienced Congress. As you said One Indian writer, do you believe all the Congress propaganda. Or do you have some special knowledge nobody else has????

As to the Aam Aadmi they are not really a party, no idea how to govern, they had a chance in Delhi look what happened!!!! Kejriwal no idea how to put into place his imaginative ideas. Maybe in 10 years time they might have a party worth voting for.

PS. as the majority of Indian people are Hindus, what is wrong with being good for Hindus, plenty of Muslims in Gujarat and elsewhere who would vote for Modi.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

With my minuscule knowledge of India as a whole, to me it seems too diverse to be governed by one party:

How do Hindu values sit with Muslims & vice versa?

What about Christians? A real minority & possibly persecuted in Bihar?

What about Maoists - another minority & are they just "terrorists" ?

Sikhs - how do they fit in to the political picture?

This new state: Telanganga (sp?) that seems to be disputed by some of the people of Andra Pradesh?

Bal Thackray (sp?) & shiv sena - are they just a load of bother causers & are they limited to Maharastra?

Aam aadami - surely they are too new to carry any serious political weight?

What a melting pot - it's no wonder "deals" have to be done to get anything done!

Oh well, six weeks & we go back to Goa - just in time for the early closing that's related to the upcoming elections!

Rods.

H.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Much of what you say is true but each state has a chief minister who can be of any party. (yes it was a disaster when an Aam Aadmi man was voted in as CM in Delhi).
India is a secular country so there should be no problems with non Hindus, but obviously there are disputes.
One problem is a left-over from British rule when Muslims were given a few separate laws and of course to change this now would cause outrage from Muslims but causes resentment from some Hindus.
Christians have no problems in most areas. I don't know about Bihar.
The legacy of Nehru was to install his family in power and their corruption has increased over the years with buying votes and concentrating on gaining power rather than governing for the people.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

My mistake - I didn't mean Bihar - I meant Orissa.

H.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Been watching the rally on NDTV, thousands there1!!!!

http://www.ndtv.com/article/election...-attend-490070

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Yes I have read about the problems in a part of Orissa. I think in general it is a little more complicated.
It is missionaries that Hindu people have a problem with not Christians themselves. Many Hindus appreciate and admire Christianity, including many academics and teachers for example the great Vivekananda but the very word 'missionary' sends people into a frenzy. They are convinced that they are all out to forcibly convert and 'buy' poor people.

I have had many heated arguments with my brother in law about this, he very much praises Christianity but the dreaded M word----:thumbdown:.
My protestations that they are not all the same and what about charity falls on deaf ears. But as a descendent of those tortured by the inquisition of Francis Xavier maybe he can be understood.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

and who 'convinced' them of this, and is still assiduously spreading this nonsense?

AndyD 8-)₹

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

You must have read Goan history and what happened to Hindus there. This knowledge is passed down the generations.

The B-in-law I mentioned is researching the community* history but so much of the libraries and books were burnt.

(Many Christians fled Goa also--many of them in Karwar living quite happily along with Hindus and Muslims there)

Also it certainly happened elsewhere that the poor were offered money IF they become Christians.

Hindus have a respect for there own religion, why should they not object to these practices.

I agree that in present times the majority of Christian missionaries do not behave like this now but It is a human failing to believe the worst!!

One of my closest friends was a Catholic nun for 20 years in Africa, she left because of her inability to obey, as above.

*I meant that specific word:)

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

Being good for Hindus Bipat ! Not many Muslims will vote for Modi unless they are paid to.The Hindus are always going on about reforming the Muslims in India but what about the Hindus creating a central authority that governs Hinduism in India ? There is a black heart in Hinduism that occasionally pops up in the press and on the telly. Tantric Holy Men, human sacrifice, Suti has reared its ugly head up in Rajistan.God Men etc...Temple prostitutes. Modi started spouting on the other week up in Assam about India being the spiritual home of the Hindus and that every Hindu should have the right of return, like in Israel and your saying that India is a secular country ! If its so secular why is Hurting some ones religious sentiments a crime ?

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

The vast majority of Indian people are Hindus, if the Government wasn't good for them what would be the point??????

About 20% of Gujarati Muslims voted for Modi as chief Minister. Have you any personal evidence that they were paid?

Of course there are atrocities committed by Hindus as there are in every religion.

Spiritual home of Hindus, obviously-- if that is where most of them live!
I would have thought most could return if they wanted to. (Congress keeps on inviting them to at least send money!!!!!)

The crime of "hurting religious sentiments" applies to all religions and the 'Hate Law' covers a great deal more than religion --race, ethnicity etc. etc.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

You are correct. What happened to the jews ( my specific of interest, not that I am a Jew) and the Hindus is appaling. truly. I have tried to research what happened in Goa but it is difficult
This was not only in Goa but in France, Spain and Portugal. I have tried to read all of these comments in terms of their applicability to this time of the inquisition. This is hard for me as I was not only educated by the Jesuits in a private school in London but worked for them too for 3 years as a professor. I have no ability to comment other than I am so shocked. I would recommend as reading " Through the narrow Gate " by Karen Armstrong. This is a real eye opener and one that I can say is totally true from my own experience. She actually comes as a Speaker to the Dartmouth Dartington Festival for anyone who wants to follow this up.

strangely enough I read a report recently that the Spanish government decided to offer Spanish citizenship to all Sephardic Jews who had been thrown out in the 15th century. Maybe they think better late than never.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

1) No one is apologising for the Inquisition (expected or otherwise <g>) but it happened throughout the 'known' world not just in Goa.

2) The 'forced conversion' nonsense is promulgated throughout India.

AndyD 8-)₹

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

That is really interesting. Thank you for recommending the book. (I am about to put it on my Kindle).

All these happenings were a long time ago in Goa but the information is passed down through the generations and made people nervous of missionaries.

I imagine elsewhere in India the same possible prejudice has remained. It depends probably on what is meant by 'forced' conversion payment of money and food to the very poor and instructing their children is sometimes resented by onlookers.
Ironically children of the more wealthy have always been sent to Catholic schools but usually there was no religious instruction.

Re: In To-day's Newspapers
 

be like me...become an atheist....all problems disappear.. the sooner everyone throws religion in the bin where it belongs, then we'll live in peace