Caught In Between

1/Bajarangdal,killed Staines & his Son,Planned fire-bombing church

2/Rss caused mumai riots in 92-93 ,Some commision worked for 10 yrs.Result Thackeray cannot be charged or convicted b.c STATUTARY LIMITATION OF TIME HAS EXPIRED IN 10 ys

3/Advani incited 3000+ ppl. death by Rath Yatra & ram janbhomi demolition of Babri ,

AND Simi with suspiscious charge of Mr.Mobin student of AMU ,IS BANNED!!!

Hindian,dont talk to Me about Freedom & largest democracy.

Nationwide crackdown on SIMI, chief arrested







EW DELHI: In a crackdown a day after the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), its all-India president Shahid Badr and more than 250 other leaders were arrested from across the country, even as curfew continued for the second day in four areas in Lucknow.

Briefing mediapersons here on Friday, home secretary Kamal Pande said, ``I don`t think there was any immediate provocation for the ban.`` The government had held several rounds of discussions with the state governments in the last six months.

He said the largest number of arrests (90) were made in Uttar Pradesh, followed by 45 in Maharashtra and 35 in West Bengal. Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Gujarat accounted for the rest. The police sealed several SIMI offices and seized a huge quantity of propaganda material.

Insisting that there was ``reasonable evidence`` that SIMI was indulging in activities detrimental to the national interest, he said several SIMI activists had been arrested in the past in connection with anti-national activities.

The home secretary said SIMI, with its nexus with the Hizbul Mujahideen, had indulged in a series of violent terrorist acts in UP and Tamil Nadu and fomented communal tension.

Asked why the government had not banned the Bajrang Dal as the Madhya Pradesh chief minister had demanded, Pande denied the home ministry had received any letter from the MP government requesting a ban on the Bajrang Dal. Asked if there were similar charges of unlawful activities against the Bajrang Dal, the home secretary said, ``There could be.``

Asked why terrorist organisations operating in Jammu and Kashmir like the Hizbul Mujahideen or the Lashkar-e-Taiba had not been banned, the home secretary made a distinction between them and SIMI. ``With the terrorist groups, we are already at war. Banning will not help stop their activities. While groups like SIMI have a front office and were operating overground, `legitimately` functioning against the interests of the state. So they have to be banned.``

Asked about the charge of SIMI`s links with the Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups, Pande asserted that the government had sufficient evidence. ``We have to be certain of the evidence. Because we know that the matter will be referred to a tribunal within 30 days where it would be scrutinised,`` he said. The tribunal, which will be headed by a sitting high court judge, will adjudicate the ban within six months.

In Delhi, three office-bearers of SIMI were also arrested from its office in Zakir Nagar. The office was also sealed. The arrested leaders were produced in the court of metropolitan magistrate Vinod Kumar who rejected their bail and sent them to judicial custody for 14 days.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Friday refused to comment on imposition of ban on SIMI, saying it was the internal matter of India. ``We do not wish to comment on the internal situation in India,`` foreign office spokesman Riaz Mohammad Khan told reporters here in reply to a question seeking Pakistan`s reaction.

On Friday, a Delhi court rejected the bail plea of Badr and three others on the ground that they had published an article in their magazine ``hurting`` sentiments of Buddhists.

Rejecting the bail plea of Badr, Saif Nachan, Mohd Khalid and Irfan Khan, who were arrested for raising provocative slogans in protest against the ban on the organisation, Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Kumar remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody.

Referring to the order banning SIMI, he said: ``I have carefully gone through the notification which has been published in gazette of India extraordinarily on September 27 which has banned SIMI with immediate effect. I am of the opinion that at this stage this is sufficient to reject the bail application``.

Advocate Feroz Khan Ghazi, appearing for the SIMI activists had contended that prosecution had neither disclosed the offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act nor any notification has been published in the gazette. He said the tribunal has also not been constituted in this regard.

Referring to a prominent article in the magazine ``Islamic Movement`` published by the outfit, the judge said ``it has one prominent article on `Taliban Bamian and Budh`, the reading of which is enough to show that this magazine and article has been published with the sole aim to hurt and cause ill will to the followers of Lord Buddha. The bail application is therefore dismissed.``

The court also rejected the bail plea of Asif Mohd Khan, the controversial municipal councillor from Okhla, who was arrested on charges of causing communal disharmony by printing and circulating posters to create enmity between Christians and Muslims and remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.

``The contents of the posters attempt to promote the enmity, hatred and ill will between Muslims and Christians and if the accused is enlarged on bail it will encourage elements whose interests lay in promoting such ill will,`` the court said.

It said the poster showing ``war between Christianity and Islam is more unfortunate because Mohd Saheb (peace be upon him) himself had great reverence for Lord Christ and acknowledged him as Pegambar of the god``.

Khan allegedly had got pasted the posters on buses and public places praising Saudi terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden following the terrorist strikes in the US.

The magistrate said ``references to war between Christianity and Islam have been given in quite bold letters`` in the posters, ``the meaning of which has to be read in the context with the recent developments after the attacks on the World Trade Centre in America``.

Stating that great restraint on behalf of all citizens was required in the present political and social atmosphere, the court said ``the representative of people who had taken oath to a secular Constitution ... A councillor has greater responsibilities than others``.

In Lucknow, SSP B B Bakshi said no untoward incident had been reported since Thursday when four persons were killed in police firing on a rampaging mob protesting against SIMI arrests in the old city.

The UP government ordered a probe by the commissioner, Lucknow division, into the violence and the police firing.

( TIMES NEWS NETWORK & AGENCIES )

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Zafar,

thanks for the invite (I like to call myself a Maha-Bong). But I must warn you I am devoid of the usual graces and the vices of the Bhodrolok.

id #573:

Here`s my take - other Indians may have differing view points.

``How hard lined is BJP about hindutva issues? Are there a lot of pro RSS type elements in BJP?``

The RSS fostered the Jan Sangh which later morphed into the BJP. Most top BJP folks are from the RSS, except recent entrants (like Jaswant Singh). In the 80s, RSS used to provide the organisational strength to BJP for election work and so on. BJP is pretty Hindu hardline.

The RSS, despite having had one of its members assassinating Mahatma Gandhi, used to be a well respected organisation at least till late 80s and at least in Karnataka where I grew up. Most of its members were middle class, with nationalistic pride, doing a lot of volunteering/social work etc. They were also known for their discipline, as was the BJP (then!), which was a contrast to the Congress and other parties that were rife with dissidence. The RSS was/is also fiercely Hindu but that was not a negative so long as it did not mean anti-other religions.

Only in the last decade have they become unrecognizable to me. Especially the Sangh Parivar with the likes of VHP, the disgusting Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena goondas (SS is not part of the Sangh Parivar) and assorted organisations.

``Also, why has BJP got so much support in the past few years, despite their reputation of being hard liners?``

I think the Babri/Ram Janmabhoomi issue really mobilised a lot of people. Secondly, the Congress and other parties are really pseudo-secular, ie they do not treat all religions equally which should be the way in a truly secular country. Not that they looked after minority interests, but they pandered to the vocal few in the minority, but discriminated against the majority. There are so many issues that have been swept under the carpet in the name of tolerance, but have been simmering inside for long.

I think BJP`s `be proud to say you are a Hindu` slogan really touched a cord with many middle class people.

One point not to be missed is that the Congress was viewed as decadent by the voters, corrupt, with no charismatic person from the dynasty on the scene after Rajiv Gandhi. BJP was viewed as disciplined and honest and suddenly represented an alternative not available till then.

``Are the marginal majority of Indians hardliners, or is it just a political issue, and people seem to go with the tide of emotions?``

If you mean religious hardliners, I dont know. The country is too vast, and there are other issues apart from religion (notably caste, region) that come into play. There definitely are a lot of hardliners, esp middle class unfortunately these days and even in the media. However, I will say that as a percentage of the religion, there are more Muslim hardliners in India than Hindu hardliners. Probably because they are a minority... The only differnce is that Hindu hardliners control several organisations and are vocal in the `national` media, while the Muslim hardliners are not.

Reply Subroto # 561

“… you missed out on the essential reading for the dirty minded roach - ``Playroach`` (of course I read it for the articles)”

Oita keeeeeeeee? Shameless fellow! (Such things will be banned yaar, remember, Mamata Didi and all…).

Ohhhhh – also big oversight – Bong-Dongs (while ethnicity not confirmed but I infer) must be invited to head some Govt Department so the bhodrolokisation of subcontinental politics can proceed apace. As chief spokesroach would you approach?

Reply Hobbyty # 564

“Perhaps you are right. I have not paid attention to the fact that hurt, physical and emotional, arises out of our responses to Partition may need to be aired more often, on a national, perhaps international level. I just hope it doesn`t become a ``I hurt more`` competition between Pakistan and India.”

I certainly hope not! How distasteful!

“About Sushma and rude remarks - See, Pakistan or Musharraf cannot be responsible for the Indian`s choice. We can not make the horse actually drink, we can lead it water, but not make it drink. I think if the Indian population can be reached directly, then Mr. Musharraf stands a good chance of making a full case for the Pakistani position, and then must rely on the conscience and understanding of the issue by the ordinary Indian.”

Yes, 100% true – so Pakistan should stop turning down India Today’s requests to open an office there to facilitate reporting from and about Pakistan. (Though that takes control of reporting content away from the GoP and GoI.) Dawn/Jung etc. should start operating in India also. I think the outcomes would be really good, if a bit difficult for our Governments to deal with.

Reply Sigalph # 574

“I stand ready to serve the new Republic in any suitably humble capacity. Jai Roachistan!”

Welcome! How do you say Roach in Bengali?

Reply Stuka # 575

“… I think the Indian Gov`t should be far-sighted enough to take this opportunity to do a deal on Kashmir.”

When has our Government ever been accused of being far sighted? But vaisai, hopefully they will pull their finger out in time.

“India should actually open a window of opportunity and hammer out some sort of compromise without formal transfer of territory, but outside tboundaries of the constitution. Will this actually happen? Unfortunately, in this case I believe our democracy would actually be a handicap in the hammering out of a solution.”

Yaar, kya karen, yeh kambakhth democracy sir pe charh gayi na….

I get the feeling that the situation is going to have strong parallels to the post WWII and cold war period in Europe.

1 Isolate your enemies as much as possible.

2 Pretend that people who supportyed your enemies were actually not, so that they can conveniently change sides. (As they did to Italy and Austria.)

3 It doesn’t matter if this leaves only the junior partners to deal with – in fact that’s a good thing.

Number two refers to at least significant portions of the Pakistani establishment, and also to some parts of the Saudi establishement. I can’t believe that the media is not commenting on the fact that a high proportion of the hijackers were Saudi nationals – though I think Romair does on the Islam’s Challenge Board. The conflict is not between countries, but between different versions of the future – and hence is going to be deeply dividing. Unfortunately I don’t think that religiously fuelled intolerance can be swept under the carpet as effectively as political intolerance was in Europe.

Zafar

hobbtty,

Thanks I will.

Aisha

Mr Hobbyty should find this interesting

http://www.hclinfinet.com/2001/SEP/WEEK4/5/opinioncol1frame.jsp

Re:Reply #: 573

id,

In order to know the thought process of RSS, one needs to be a member of this organisation. I grew up in a secular enviornment in Delhi. As far as i remember, RSS was banned off and on during those times. I learned about this organisation from hearsay only. It is one of the most disciplined organisations in the country. I was a witness to one of their congregations in a school ground in Mylapore, Madras (near my parental house). Thousands of volunteers and members were there doing P.T drill and some exercises. A few hours later, they all dispersed silently. No big fuss. No traffic problem. I was really impressed.

When a train disaster happened in a place in Karnataka, the first people to arrive on the scene were RSS volunterrs. They are fiercely patriotic. Unfortunately, many times this patriotism is tinged with anti-muslim bias. Even today, many people who view Pak as the enemy automatically assume anti-muslim postures forgetting being anti-Pakistani is not same as being anti-muslim.

Hindutva is a concept enunciated by RSS and propogated by BJP. They are saying that even muslims in India are part of a heritage that makes them as much a hindu as other hindus are. They use the term Hindu in a civilisational tone. They really do not mean the religion. They eventually want all minorities to submerge their identities in the larger Hindu identity. This is no doubt scary for the minorities. If you ask my opinion, this Hindutva is a stupid concept. I will say: let a thousand flowers bloom in this garden called Hindustan. There is no fun if all flowers are of same color. Besides, constitution of India guarantees equality and right to religion to all minorities.

Majority of Indians do not subscribe to the hindutva ideology, which is why BJP can never come to power in the center on its own strength. It has had to tone down its rhetoric, project a more secular image. Indians, needless to say, have to be constantly on guard.

Sridhar

Re:Reply #: 567

RSaxena,

An average American has a lot of virtues but intelligence is not one of them. How else can anyone confuse a muslim clergy with a Sikh. Both wear turbans, both have beard, so what? Look closely guys and you will know the difference. Me and my Turkish friend had a good laugh over this.

Sridhar

Re:Reply #: 562

Zafar,

I agree with most of your post except when you talk about Kashmir. To answer your last question first (what will happen to Pakistani Army when Pak manages to get Kashmir), make no mistake,Pak Army will be emboldened with this victory and will wage a war against rest of India sitting literally on our rooftop.

The news coming from USA speaks of a concerted effort against terrorism including Kashmiri terrorism. GOI has been trying to link OBL and Kashmiri terrorism. I was delighted to see CNN`s Satinder Bhindra talk about this yesterday w.r.t the hijacked Air India plane. Besides, it should be obvious to US now that terrorism cannot be treated in isolation. I also read a report of links between LTTE (Tamil guerillas)and Taliban. These are 2 disparate groups with nothing in common except that they are terrorists and kill innocent people. As Colin Powell said, terrorism must be eliminated ``root and branch``.

I have oflate started wondering why USA keeps talking about a protracted war. Is it just to prepare the Americans of what is to come? Or is there something more to it? America may benefit if it gets a foothold in Afghanistan. It can watch China from close quarters. It can also have a better access to Central Asian republics which are teeming with oil and gas. US may not be averse to having a more tolerant Taliban ruling the country (one that can tolerate American presence, though i confess i do not know how this can happen). This may be the best thing for Pak. Mushy can tell his countrymen that he has avoided doing any harm to Taliban. If this seems feasible (having a moderate Taliban in control of Afghanistan), US may reward Pak for its efforts. Such a reward may include a more active role by US to settle the Kashmir problem. The question is : Is there something like a moderate Taliban?

For Russia, any US presence in the area is a disaster. Hence, its insistence on fighting Taliban by strengthening Northern Alliance. In this regard, recent meeting between Russia, Iran and India assume significance. All 3 hate Taliban and have been supporting the Northern Alliance. They benefit (to Pak`s detriment)if the alliance were to defeat Taliban. Alliance has only 10% of Afghanistan under its control. A complete victory over Taliban seems like something that may take years if not months (provided all parties were to support the alliance). USA has to make up its mind if it has to support Northern Alliance or take Taliban on its own strength (with its allies). This latter course is fraught with danger of not only alienating the moderate muslim states eventually but also to alienate a large section of Pakistani population that is pro-Taliban. The first course (of supporting the Northern Alliance)seems more logical but may be opposed tooth and nail by Pakistani establishment as a victory by the alliance means having an enemy next door. Tough times for Paksitan.

Sridhar

Afghanistan`s Atmosphere Of Mistrust U.S. Looks for Partners In a Region of Rivals

By Peter Baker

Washington Post Foreign Service

Thursday, September 27, 2001; Page A01

JABAL SARAJ, Afghanistan, Sept. 26 -- Inside the compound that houses his rebel regiment, Gen. Mohammad Aref readies for what could be the final act of a long civil war with the ruling Taliban. He is prepared for a tough battle. He is prepared to fight alongside the United States. But he is not prepared to trust America`s ally

over the border.

``To trust Pakistan is difficult,`` Aref explained

today, ``because Taliban means Pakistan.``

Here in rebel-controlled northeastern Afghanistan, the suspicion and even hatred of Pakistan runs deep because of its role as prime patron of the radical Taliban, which has ruled most of Afghanistan for five years. The feeling

is mutual in Islamabad, Pakistan`s capital, where the Pakistani foreign minister this week warned the United States not to team up with the Afghan rebels, known as the Northern Alliance.

The enmity is a challenge for the Bush administration as it assembles a coalition to retaliate against the Taliban for harboring Osama bin Laden, the chief suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the

Pentagon. The United States wants to use bases in

Pakistan for possible strikes against Afghanistan, and it may support the Northern Alliance`s ground troops in their fight against the Taliban. But those two most important potential U.S. partners regard each other as blood enemies.

Even if the hostility is finessed in the short term, it promises delicate problems down the road. If the Taliban is dislodged, as President Bush has suggested is a U.S. aim, the formation of any new government in Kabul under the Northern Alliance is bound to foster tension and possibly destabilization in an already troubled region.

Pakistan worries that an unfriendly Afghan government dominated by the rebels would threaten its security as it faces a politically hostile India on its other flank. Some analysts believe that victory by the Northern Alliance could even trigger a backlash among Islamic militants in Pakistan that could threaten the government

of Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Because both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, turmoil in the region could become a global crisis.

Nearly every country in Central Asia claims important stakes in the fortunes of the Northern Alliance. India, which contests the Kashmir region with Pakistan, has provided money and weapons to the northern fighters.

Shiite Muslim Iran, which despises the Sunni Muslim Taliban, also has supported the Northern Alliance, providing arms and training.

Russia, fearful of the spread of the Taliban`s brand of Islam into former Soviet republics on its border, has provided financial, military and logistical support to the Northern Alliance -- all of whose primary commanders fought Soviet forces that occupied Afghanistan in the

1980s. However, most Central Asian states have been wary of direct support to the rebels. In recent years, several have made diplomatic overtures to the Taliban in efforts to seek a peace settlement.

It is uncertain how closely the United States will work with the Northern Alliance. Abdullah, a top alliance official who like many Afghans uses just one name, said today that contacts with U.S. officials had increased in recent days. He hinted that the rebels had given Washington a list of potential bombing targets that

presumably includes air bases and other military

installations.

But suggesting that Washington has so far withheld any commitment, Abdullah solicited U.S. assistance: ``We deserve this, and we have the right to get this support.``

The Northern Alliance represents a coalition of ethnic and political factions that banded together to resist the Taliban, which has imposed its rigid interpretation of Islam on most of the country. A major component of the alliance is the former Afghan government that the Taliban

drove from Kabul, the capital, in 1996.

The rebels control 10 percent or less of Afghanistan but say they have 15,000 armed fighters and an intimate knowledge of the territory that could be invaluable for

the U.S. military.

By themselves, the guerrillas might never defeat the Taliban. Despite a new push to recapture the strategic northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, and reports today of taking a nearby district, they have failed over five years to seriously threaten Kabul. But the prospect of a U.S. military operation has changed that equation.

The alliance still considers itself the rightful

government of Afghanistan -- Abdullah, for instance, holds the title of foreign minister -- but the group has moved in recent days to ease concerns that it expects to simply take over if the Taliban is ousted by the United

States.

A rebel delegation was heading to Rome today to meet with former Afghan king Mohammed Zahir Shah and overseas Afghan interest groups to begin discussing a post-Taliban government. Zahir Shah, the last of the Durrani dynasty that ruled Afghanistan for more than 200 years, was on

the throne for 40 years. He was deposed in 1973 by his brother-in-law, who established a republic and exiled the monarch to Rome.

If the Taliban is brought down, the rebels said, they plan to establish an interim government that would include various political blocs to establish order, draft a constitution and schedule elections. ``We will be a major factor`` in this temporary government, said Abdullah. But ``all other groups that share these

values should participate.

``What we want to see is a moderate Islamic country where democracy would be the rule of the game,`` he added. ``The will of the people should be accepted, and the rights of the people, women and men,``

protected. ``The people should decide who to go with

and who not.``

His comments came a day after Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdus Sattar told reporters in Islamabad that the United States should not choose sides between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance. ``We must not make the blunder

of trying to foist a government on the people of

Afghanistan,`` he said. ``We fear that any such

decision on the part of foreign powers to give assistance

to one side or the other in Afghanistan is a recipe for

great disaster for the people of Afghanistan.``

The relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been complicated for years. The United States used Pakistan to manage its proxy war against the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s. After five years of chaos following the Russians` withdrawal, Islamabad intervened on behalf of the Taliban.

In recent years, Pakistan has given the Taliban tens of millions of dollars in aid, from wheat and fuel to funds for the salaries of its government officials; on behalf of the Taliban, Pakistan set up a telephone network,

repaired roads, provided electricity, overhauled aircraft and helped establish a national radio station in Afghanistan. In exchange, Pakistan used Afghanistan for its own purposes, such as training militants there for the conflict with India in Kashmir.

But the Taliban resisted subservience and began

manipulating its patron. It established a trade scheme that cost Pakistan millions of dollars in customs fees while allegedly enriching Afghan bandits. The Taliban has used Pakistani intelligence and military in the ongoing

civil war, according to rebel generals. The rebels say 500 of the 2,500 Taliban defenders on the Kabul front are Pakistanis. Pakistan has refused to cut diplomatic ties to the Taliban, and now it is the only country that still

recognizes the Afghan government.

Here in Jabal Saraj, 45 miles north of Kabul, Abdullah scoffed at Sattar`s invocation against foreign involvement, noting that Pakistan had interfered in Afghan affairs for years.

He accused Pakistan of deceiving the United States by targeting only enough terrorist elements to satisfy Washington. ``My fear is Pakistan will decide which terrorists are its `good terrorists` and `bad terrorists`

and keep some terrorists for the future. This would be a disaster. Pakistan is trying to keep its influence by keeping a part of the Taliban force in place in Afghanistan.``

The close ties make the Taliban and Pakistani governments indistinguishable to many in the Afghan opposition. From regimental commanders to everyday residents, Afghans living in rebel-held territory often volunteer harsher recriminations toward Pakistan than toward the Taliban.

Nasser Bakhshi, a rebel official in the town of Khoja Bahauddin, subscribes to a simple formula for victory in the civil war. ``If Pakistan stops helping, we would win,`` he said.

Mirakhman, a rebel commander at the front lines north of Kabul, offered a similar assessment when asked the prospects for retaking the capital if the United States bombs Afghanistan.

``You have to destroy Pakistan,`` he said.

``Then we`ll go to Kabul.``

id : 573

Let me start with what I feel is true, without any doubt. There exists a very high degree of animosity between Hindus and Muslims as communities. But if one talks only in terms of the religion, then Hindus are very tolarent of Islam. And many don`t fail to appreciate its unique strengths.

It`s more of intolerance between two communities.

I feel, a lot may be because people have not really forgotten partition. Though the generation that was most effected is hardly alive and our history books do not mention partition in more than few words, it still manages to cling in peoples` minds.

BJP has a lot of RSS followers and a lot of hardliners. But in public they maintain a very rational approach, maintaining a good distance from RSS and its children. During the Babri demolition, BJP was able to convince people

that Congress was pro-Muslim and thus harming their(hindus) interests. The kind of propaganda they indulged in was unbeatable. They convinced the masses that for hundreds of years of Muslim brutality, asking for Babri was not a big deal at all. Mandalisation had just taken place and Hindus needed a unifying point. BJPs Hindu

support was getting divided amidst mandal parties. So it raised the pitch. You might wonder what was the fault of Muslims. Muslims have generally been perceived to be against anything Hindu, aggressive and violent, backward in every sphere of development. It just makes them easy prey to mullahs. But the bloodbath that followed babri demolition made a lot of leaders and people from both sides think. And the result is riots have decreased barring sporadic incidents here and there. But incidents in our neighbouring countries do have their implications when people suddenly take sides. We may not like it, but relations with Pakistan do matter.

Hmmm.. you ask about marginal majority...? You have already assumed rather presumed.

If you keep track on Indian politics, you can see BJP sweating it out in UP. No temple and no religion can assuage the feelings of people there. To get out of that nightmare, BJP is trying to play the caste card. This in the land of Babri mosque.There is a limit to which BJP can color this country. There are in-built

institutions (democratic and secular) that can check them. That`s why RSS since its inception in 1900s and BJP as Jan Sangh since `70s is trying, still trying.

I can say for sure, Hinduism is not easy to twist. I firmly beilieve Hindu fundamentalism is a reactionary force, a new ideology(if u can call it).I may be prejudiced but nevertheless. And, if India is secular it is because of Hinduism. I say this with pride.

Hope it helped.

Pullu