The Transformation of the Punjabi Man: Pashtunization or Militarization? Abu, I can make a counter claim that it is better that how Arabs treat their women. There's no equivalent of honor killing in India. Moreover Afghani, by their own admission are not Indians, they are Jew or something so you can't blame it all on bad Hindu blood.

Here are the bad treatments mated out in India
Satti - burning woman alive on her husbands pyre. (predominantly local to Rajasthan area)
Vidhwa - shunning widows from worldly pleasures after husband’s death (this is across the country, AFIK).
Female Feticide - killing of female embryos. This is new one. (predominantly local to Punjab area)
Dowry killing - Torturing and/or killing women on dowry related issues. This is also relatively new. In some old cultures groom gave dowry to brides parents for their daughter's hand. (this is across the country)

Here are some of the reforms that I know,
Pre Independence
Encouragement to women education
Encouragement to women self sufficiency and women rights
Ban on Satti - this was done by British. It's a crime now. You can probably count the number of sati cases in last few decades on your fingers.
Post Independence
Increase the marriageable age of women
Make dowry illegal. Increase awareness about ills of dowry (This is done bu social reformers more than Govt.)
Better treatment to widows. There's marked improvement over treatment to vidhwa over the years; even in small villages. I should know that for I grew up in small villages.
female feticide is still an issue and needs to be worked on vigorously.

Here are the bad treatments mated out in Arab lands
Second class citizens - Cover themselves head to toe. Her evidence is considered half as important as that of man. Women can't study, can't work, can't see a male doctor without presence of male relative, can't drive. If woman is raped she needs four momins to give evidence for her. Socio-religious sanction to the practice of beating women to keep them in check.
Honor killing - women are killed of conceived crimes of adultery. No judge no jury just a bunch of her relatives can just shoot her. No questions asked.

The Transformation of the Punjabi Man: Pashtunization or Militarization? "IF victory, THEN truth"

So true. Winner's write history and by extention, truth.

The Transformation of the Punjabi Man: Pashtunization or Militarization? Clifton, you are assuming other factors to remain constant during that time, which hardly seems to be the case. The religious fundamentalism is on the rise in those provinces. At some point in time it is bound to clash with modernists in southern cities. The questions is how big an impact would that be and what group would have upper hand in that situation.

The Transformation of the Punjabi Man: Pashtunization or Militarization? Clifton, what do you think are the chances improvements in women's conditions in Pakistan? How would the fall of "secular" military General impact the future governance of Pakistan? Do you think political party with conservative mindset to take roots in Pakistani polity or would liberals have any chance to revive?

The Transformation of the Punjabi Man: Pashtunization or Militarization? IB spoken like a true mohajir.

The Transformation of the Punjabi Man: Pashtunization or Militarization? IB you are one funny guy. :)

The Recluse Anand Mahajan and here on chowk!! It was a pleasure.

Anmole Doesn\'t Share Man I couldn't take it after second stanza, Anmole, must be bania Hindus daughter. :)

This Is For The Men Who\'ll Roll Their Eyes Sidra where do you live?

Ellada: 3 Weeks in Northeastern Aegean Islands Great!!

Scotland\'s Case for Independence from UK That was informative Bhaskar. The only thing I knew about Scottish strugle was gleaned from the movie Brave heart. :) I knew that sir. Sean Connery and other prominent Scottish personalities are firmly rooting for Scottish independence.

Making a new Future: Peace Dividends for India and Pakistan Dawa , don't bhayya me. I'm not your brother.

Making a new Future: Peace Dividends for India and Pakistan There's a saying in my part of the country. G**d mey dum nahi aur hum kisise kum nahin. Agar dum hai to Kashmir leke dikhao.

Rise of Hindu Right Wing Ideology Pakwolf, don't get angry yaar. This was a stupid article so it was a fitting response IMO.

The \'poor\' Neighbour Anil Bhai,

[Sometimes my RSS upbring show through :)]That was in jest yaar. Trying to pull your legs. Don't take it seriously.

The \'poor\' Neighbour #123,

"I do believe decline of nation-state in favor of regional economic blocks. "

Are you harboring the dreams of Akhand Bharat under the guise ;)