Shades of anarchy

Humra Quraishi

I'm left aghast at the killings taking place in developed India! If one were to focus on the state of affairs in the state of Uttar Pradesh, it is the State police that has been indulging in killings out there in the open.
…Quoting these figures from the PUCL findings on encounters taking place in Uttar Pradesh: Since March 2017, 49 people have been killed in over 1,100 encounters. More than 370 have been injured and over 3,300 arrested across the state.
Today, of course, lynching and killings are spreading out, to the other states of the country. There is a clear and apparent pattern to them. There is a direct connect between the killings and the hateful violence spreading out. Alibis could range, from child lifters to cow killers, but the end result is killing of humans as never before

Mind you, this state of anarchy could pave way for more violence as two factors loom large: not just the upcoming general elections of 2019 but also stands out the fact that till recently the masses were sitting somewhat subdued, awaiting for miracles to happen on the social and economical fronts, but with worsening conditions there is not just frustration but complete disillusionment with the State and its machinery. With dismal figures on the very basics - roti, kapda, makaan, justice and fair play - the masses are sitting hungry and angry. Quite obviously, they cannot unleash their anger on the rulers of the day as they move around in big - bodied vehicles complete with frilly security bandobast, so they are catching hold of just about any two-legged creatures coming their way.

Trees on the firing line

In fact, why just the humans, today even our trees are not spared. One can imagine what must be taking place in rural locales, when in this capital city, New Delhi, trees are getting cut and chopped. Mind you, not by the land or forest mafia but rather too officially by the sarkar ! Why? To build new homes for its sarkari men. Yes, at the cost of murdering thousands of trees, right in front of our eyes. Strange ironies and bizarre arguments hit. On one hand reports hold out that at least 9 lakhs trees ought to be immediately planted in and around the capital city to save the city's residents' lungs(whatever remains of their breathing apparatus!), yet this government seems hell bent on killing existing trees…over 16,000 trees in the firing line!
What better can be expected when we have ministers like the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, who all too naively stated , 'For every tree that is cut we will plant 10 trees…Green cover will go up by three times after re-development of seven colonies in South Delhi.'
Minister Puri, should be aware of the basic fact that trees don't grow overnight! Nor in accordance to political commands! Trees are not made of synthetic ingredients that they can be made, rather made up, according to ministerial wants and dictates and order. Of course, they can be axed by a governmental order or they can be killed in that slow and steady with a horribly polluted atmosphere spreading around but they cannot be forced to grow in a jiffy. Nah, none of your modern day techniques can turn saplings into trees in a fast paced way! They follow Nature's way and cannot be controlled by the political powers.
Correct me if I'm wrong but kings of the centuries gone by were far aware of the role of trees in the very upkeep of the environment. During Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's rule, Srinagar's Jama Masjid and its outlying complex were gutted in a fierce fire. In this fire Chinar trees growing in the outer complex were also affected. When the news of the fire reached Aurangzeb, he was more worried and concerned about the Chinar trees safety than about the masjid. His rationale was that the masjid could be re- built in few years but the Chinar trees will take decades to grow.

Garlanding killers

Also, its about time to sit up and question: what will happen to our forms and psyches if political rulers of the day are seen garlanding killers after offering them sweets, or else rather too blatantly meeting known rioters lodged in a prison?
Barely had Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb got over commenting on the lynching by violent mobs in his state, with this obscenely shocking comment: "There is a wave of joy in Tripura and you should also enjoy this wave…" came in another shocker. This time, with the Union Minister for Aviation, Jayant Sinha, garlanding and offering sweets to the bunch of men who have been convicted for lynching Alimuddin Ansari, last summer in Jharkhand. These men are out on bail.
They are linked to political brigades and were part of the mob that attacked and killed Alimuddin Ansari.

Of a legendary actor

On every Guru Dutt's birthday - July 9, I make it a point to read , rather re-read, journalist Sathya Saran's book – Ten Years With Guru Dutt : Abrar Alvi's Journey ( Penguin).
I know why I do this; quite simply because I have been one of those ardent fans of this genius actor whose emotionally charged eyes relayed so much. He can be described as one of those men who was equipped with a set of potent eyes! Of course, not to brush aside all those emotional aspects to his life …till ,of course , he took his life at the age of 39 years.

Waheeda Rahman And with this in the foreground or background, I never miss reading anything or everything on him. And its just once I managed to view a film on him; on his life and times. It was Nasreen Munni Kabeer's film - In Search Of Guru Dutt. Though it was screened in the Spring of 1996 , but till date etched are those details , perhaps more so , as that film had left me disappointed.
Nah, the film carried none the answers to that suspense - why did Guru Dutt kill himself ? Those 'whys' to that traumatic end? Why was he going through that phase of intense depression ? Why was he left alone particular night when he was in acute depression ? I still recall shots from that film.
When Waheeda Rahman's all done - up face came up on the screen one was somewhat sure that she would utter something relevant to his death, but being a seasoned actress she spoke in a greatly guarded way. She didn't directly or indirectly mention any of the personal aspects to him, and spoke in that matter- of -fact way only of the films he directed.
In fact, the only two persons who spoke out in that film, were Guru Dutt's sister, Lalitha Lajmi, and his mother …As the camera focused on Lalitha, her eyes seemed focusing on the floor and she'd said that her brother Guru Dutt seemed to be possessed with one of those personalities that could be best described as "disturbed…on earlier occasions too he had tried to commit suicide, once he was in coma for three days ."
And as the camera focused on Guru Dutt's mother, sitting on what seemed a wooden bed or takht , she started by describing his childhood personality traits -" he was very, very stubborn …and did whatever obsessed him .And at times he would ask such questions that I thought I would go crazy answering them."
But unfortunately, none of them could throw light on the immediate reason for that drastic step that Guru Dutt took…killing himself . Why? For whom? What was the sudden provocation?

Guru Dutt Film personalities who were interviewed in this film, included Johnny Walker, Raj Khosla, Murthy ( his chief cameraman ) and, of course, AbrarAlvi, but none of them dwelt on the cause of that great depression , nor on the cause of his ultimate end .
Though their comments came to one single conclusion: Guru Dutt was a little too sensitive, a little too different , and a little too passionate cum humane for the Bollywood world . In fact, one of the commenters interviewed in the film , even said that if Guru Dutt would ever lie, his ears would 'blush!' I suppose, turn red.
So obviously how could such an emotionally sensitive man survive long in Bollywood or just about anywhere! Film personalities who were interviewed in this film, included Johnny Walker, Raj Khosla, Murthy ( his chief cameraman ) and, of course, AbrarAlvi, but none of them dwelt on the cause of that great depression , nor on the cause of his ultimate end .
Though their comments came to one single conclusion: Guru Dutt was a little too sensitive, a little too different , and a little too passionate cum humane for the Bollywood world .In fact, one of the commenters interviewed in the film, even said that if Guru Dutt would ever lie, his ears would 'blush!' I suppose, turn red.
So obviously how could such an emotionally sensitive man survive long in Bollywood or just about anywhere !



		EDITOR'S MAIL EDITOR'S COMMENT FRANKLY SPEAKING REALPOLITIK ISI WEB DRUG MENACE IN PUNJAB FARMERS' LOAN WINDOW ON M.P. HIMACHAL AGONY LOOKING BACK SIGNS OF THE TIMES PAKISTAN TODAY DRAGON DRILL IN TIBET MODI'S DIPLOMACY GLOBAL AFFAIRS REVIEW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HITS & MISSES DIARY BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR CHANGING TIMES THIRD SEX YOGA IN DAILY LIFE A SPRITUAL GURU ART OF LIVING Issue:August' 2018 Subscribe Now	SIGNS OF THE TIMES Shades of anarchy Humra Quraishi I'm left aghast at the killings taking place in developed India! If one were to focus on the state of affairs in the state of Uttar Pradesh, it is the State police that has been indulging in killings out there in the open. …Quoting these figures from the PUCL findings on encounters taking place in Uttar Pradesh: Since March 2017, 49 people have been killed in over 1,100 encounters. More than 370 have been injured and over 3,300 arrested across the state. Today, of course, lynching and killings are spreading out, to the other states of the country. There is a clear and apparent pattern to them. There is a direct connect between the killings and the hateful violence spreading out. Alibis could range, from child lifters to cow killers, but the end result is killing of humans as never before Mind you, this state of anarchy could pave way for more violence as two factors loom large: not just the upcoming general elections of 2019 but also stands out the fact that till recently the masses were sitting somewhat subdued, awaiting for miracles to happen on the social and economical fronts, but with worsening conditions there is not just frustration but complete disillusionment with the State and its machinery. With dismal figures on the very basics - roti, kapda, makaan, justice and fair play - the masses are sitting hungry and angry. Quite obviously, they cannot unleash their anger on the rulers of the day as they move around in big - bodied vehicles complete with frilly security bandobast, so they are catching hold of just about any two-legged creatures coming their way. Trees on the firing line In fact, why just the humans, today even our trees are not spared. One can imagine what must be taking place in rural locales, when in this capital city, New Delhi, trees are getting cut and chopped. Mind you, not by the land or forest mafia but rather too officially by the sarkar ! Why? To build new homes for its sarkari men. Yes, at the cost of murdering thousands of trees, right in front of our eyes. Strange ironies and bizarre arguments hit. On one hand reports hold out that at least 9 lakhs trees ought to be immediately planted in and around the capital city to save the city's residents' lungs(whatever remains of their breathing apparatus!), yet this government seems hell bent on killing existing trees…over 16,000 trees in the firing line! What better can be expected when we have ministers like the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, who all too naively stated , 'For every tree that is cut we will plant 10 trees…Green cover will go up by three times after re-development of seven colonies in South Delhi.' Minister Puri, should be aware of the basic fact that trees don't grow overnight! Nor in accordance to political commands! Trees are not made of synthetic ingredients that they can be made, rather made up, according to ministerial wants and dictates and order. Of course, they can be axed by a governmental order or they can be killed in that slow and steady with a horribly polluted atmosphere spreading around but they cannot be forced to grow in a jiffy. Nah, none of your modern day techniques can turn saplings into trees in a fast paced way! They follow Nature's way and cannot be controlled by the political powers. Correct me if I'm wrong but kings of the centuries gone by were far aware of the role of trees in the very upkeep of the environment. During Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's rule, Srinagar's Jama Masjid and its outlying complex were gutted in a fierce fire. In this fire Chinar trees growing in the outer complex were also affected. When the news of the fire reached Aurangzeb, he was more worried and concerned about the Chinar trees safety than about the masjid. His rationale was that the masjid could be re- built in few years but the Chinar trees will take decades to grow. Garlanding killers Also, its about time to sit up and question: what will happen to our forms and psyches if political rulers of the day are seen garlanding killers after offering them sweets, or else rather too blatantly meeting known rioters lodged in a prison? Barely had Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb got over commenting on the lynching by violent mobs in his state, with this obscenely shocking comment: "There is a wave of joy in Tripura and you should also enjoy this wave…" came in another shocker. This time, with the Union Minister for Aviation, Jayant Sinha, garlanding and offering sweets to the bunch of men who have been convicted for lynching Alimuddin Ansari, last summer in Jharkhand. These men are out on bail. They are linked to political brigades and were part of the mob that attacked and killed Alimuddin Ansari. Of a legendary actor On every Guru Dutt's birthday - July 9, I make it a point to read , rather re-read, journalist Sathya Saran's book – Ten Years With Guru Dutt : Abrar Alvi's Journey ( Penguin). I know why I do this; quite simply because I have been one of those ardent fans of this genius actor whose emotionally charged eyes relayed so much. He can be described as one of those men who was equipped with a set of potent eyes! Of course, not to brush aside all those emotional aspects to his life …till ,of course , he took his life at the age of 39 years. Waheeda Rahman And with this in the foreground or background, I never miss reading anything or everything on him. And its just once I managed to view a film on him; on his life and times. It was Nasreen Munni Kabeer's film - In Search Of Guru Dutt. Though it was screened in the Spring of 1996 , but till date etched are those details , perhaps more so , as that film had left me disappointed. Nah, the film carried none the answers to that suspense - why did Guru Dutt kill himself ? Those 'whys' to that traumatic end? Why was he going through that phase of intense depression ? Why was he left alone particular night when he was in acute depression ? I still recall shots from that film. When Waheeda Rahman's all done - up face came up on the screen one was somewhat sure that she would utter something relevant to his death, but being a seasoned actress she spoke in a greatly guarded way. She didn't directly or indirectly mention any of the personal aspects to him, and spoke in that matter- of -fact way only of the films he directed. In fact, the only two persons who spoke out in that film, were Guru Dutt's sister, Lalitha Lajmi, and his mother …As the camera focused on Lalitha, her eyes seemed focusing on the floor and she'd said that her brother Guru Dutt seemed to be possessed with one of those personalities that could be best described as "disturbed…on earlier occasions too he had tried to commit suicide, once he was in coma for three days ." And as the camera focused on Guru Dutt's mother, sitting on what seemed a wooden bed or takht , she started by describing his childhood personality traits -" he was very, very stubborn …and did whatever obsessed him .And at times he would ask such questions that I thought I would go crazy answering them." But unfortunately, none of them could throw light on the immediate reason for that drastic step that Guru Dutt took…killing himself . Why? For whom? What was the sudden provocation? Guru Dutt Film personalities who were interviewed in this film, included Johnny Walker, Raj Khosla, Murthy ( his chief cameraman ) and, of course, AbrarAlvi, but none of them dwelt on the cause of that great depression , nor on the cause of his ultimate end . Though their comments came to one single conclusion: Guru Dutt was a little too sensitive, a little too different , and a little too passionate cum humane for the Bollywood world . In fact, one of the commenters interviewed in the film , even said that if Guru Dutt would ever lie, his ears would 'blush!' I suppose, turn red. So obviously how could such an emotionally sensitive man survive long in Bollywood or just about anywhere! Film personalities who were interviewed in this film, included Johnny Walker, Raj Khosla, Murthy ( his chief cameraman ) and, of course, AbrarAlvi, but none of them dwelt on the cause of that great depression , nor on the cause of his ultimate end . Though their comments came to one single conclusion: Guru Dutt was a little too sensitive, a little too different , and a little too passionate cum humane for the Bollywood world .In fact, one of the commenters interviewed in the film, even said that if Guru Dutt would ever lie, his ears would 'blush!' I suppose, turn red. So obviously how could such an emotionally sensitive man survive long in Bollywood or just about anywhere !