Page 49 - English Tehelka Issue 12 - June 30, 2018

jammu & kashmir Ramadan

he trial in Kathua Will Kathua case redraW for a lot more of politics over hat is really • Bond of love: Muslim community
rape and murder the ghastly crime. Singh’s exhilarating eating together to break Ramadan
case has been successful rallying of the about Rama- fast is a way of strengthening bonds
going on at the political map of Jammu? crowds over the issue has dan is the
T district and ses- persuaded the BJP to revisit its W abundance
sions court in Pathankot. The Former BJP minister Lal Singh has gamed other dissociation from him, fearing of food all around. What is paring for these iftaars much
court has framed charges this would raise his political disturbing is that it keeps in advance, in fact, many pay
against seven of the eight ac- communities to gain incessant support demanding standing to the detriment of circulating chiefly among the more attention to preparing
cused in the rape and murder CBI probe into the Kathua case. The support base the party. ‘have all’ and not the ‘have- themselves for these iftaar
case of an eight-year-old In recent past, Singh has nots’. Sadly, those who follow parties than for Eid.
nomadic girl in J&K’s Kathua. could become a problem for the party if Lal doesn’t also tried to expand the social the dictates of Allah in this Here, I will go as far as
The eighth accused in the case feel rehabilitated by the BJP, writes Riyaz Wani base of his campaign by trying Holy month and remain off to add that these are totally
is a juvenile. to enlist the support of the from food and water even in ‘un-Islamic ‘as they blatantly
The girl was kidnapped on other communities to his the sternest of weather seem violate the basic principle of
January 10 and raped in cap- cause. To this end, he changed to feast after sunset as their charity where it is said that
tivity at a small village temple the name of the Hindu Ekta religious duty. It makes one alms should be given in the
before being bludgeoned to Manch to Dogra Ekta Manch, wonder, whether the new manner where the right hand
death. The rape and murder opening the doors to Mus- scientific finding- that 25-day should not know what the left
triggered a global outrage, lims of Jammu to also join. at a stretch fasting is healthy Why I ‘fast’ but do not hand is doing. Islam promotes
leading even the Prime Minis- Instead, he pitted the Dogras holds any water here. Frugal the kind of charity which is
ter Narendra Modi to promise against an imaginary enemy eating during Ramadan is ‘feast’ silent and which is done with
justice to “our daughters”. in Kashmiri Muslims, sepa- observed by very few. While dignity, and not for publicis-
The Supreme Court, on rated by a safe distance of 300 all day the rozedaar shows
the plea of the victim’s father, kilometres. extreme restraint, the lavish Calling iftaar a ‘party’ is objectionable and
shifted the case to Pathankot “Gone are the days when iftaar in the evening — from un-Islamic. Muslims now pay more attention in Politicians in
and ordered day-to-day the Kashmir-centric parties Korma, pulao, zarda, sheermal,
in-camera trial to ensure a could gag our voice through nihari can put many a waist- preparing themselves for iftaar parties than their zeal to
speedy justice. The trial began oppressive means. Now, line to quiver in distress. offering iftaari to less privileged, garner support
on May 31. There are 226 wit- Dogras have decided to fight,” Now, this brings to another writes Kulsum mustafa
nesses in the case mentioned Singh said during the recent new aspect of Ramadan, the and to increase
by the CB in its charge sheet. Dogra Swabhiman Rally. “We ‘iftaar parties’. I strongly object their vote banks
However, along the way, tion Team (SIT) of the Crime • aftermath: The Kathua case is don’t want any lessons on to the word iftaar parties. way of creating bonds. Calling at home or hotels. This can
the case has assumed a huge Branch of the J&K Police. Even snowballing into a major political secularism and brotherhood What is surprising is many iftaar a ‘party’ is most objec- be justified to an extent as it have been
political dimension. A full- though the team is headed by upheavel in J&K from the Kashmir-centric Muslims organises iftaar par- tionable and misleading. is generally done by relatives organising lavish
fledged campaign is on in a Kashmiri Pandit, most of its parties which lack guts to ties to break their fast, which Why do we have these and friends so one gets the
Jammu for a CBI probe into members are Muslim. speak against fundamental- by all account is actually a sumptuous affairs at all? In chance to meet and exchange iftaars in five-
the crime and it is led by the After a month of leading Amit Shah summoned Lal ists. Since the times imme- very solemn and spiritual the good old days, breaking of pleasantries. What is trending star hotels
senior BJP leader, Chaudhary it, Singh has harnessed the Singh to New Delhi and gave morial, Dogras have accom- affair. Ramadan fast was just iftaar, now is the political and social
Lal Singh. campaign to enhance his him a “free-hand” to carry out modated people of all religion There is a certain sanctity there was no ‘party’ attached iftaars. Politicians in their zeal
Singh was earlier ousted political standing. The scale his political campaign. and regions.” attached to Ramadan fasting. to it. In fact, for iftaar, ‘iftaari’ to garner support and to in-
as the forest minister for par- of the political mobilisation “The national president The campaign is set to go a You stay hungry and thirsty used to be sent to differ- crease their vote banks have ing one’s philanthropic deeds.
ticipating in the rally of Hindu has threatened to redraw the during the hour-long meeting long way. If Singh doesn’t feel all day, fulfilling Allah’s raza ent mosques, relatives and been organising lavish iftaars I am all for the great gesture
Ekta Manch in support of the political map of Jammu. The endorsed Lal Singh’s assertion sufficiently rehabilitated by (Will). Richest of the rich friends, comprised of basic in five-star hotels but, it is the of distributing food and gifts
accused. But, soon after Singh situation has reached a point that there was a conspiracy the BJP, his expanded support Muslims, who would have eatables- dates, dahi phulki socialites and businessmen to the less privileged, not
plunged headlong in to an on- where the BJP leaders elected against Jammu and the CBI base could become a problem otherwise,neverknow what (pakoras in curd made with who have scaled up this trend. just during Ramadan but,
going campaign seeking a CBI from the area- speaker Nir- probe into the Rasana case for the party. More so, in the it is to experience hunger gramflour sans any onions or One may find people put- throughout the year. All reli-
probe into the case, major flak mal Singh and newly induct- was inevitable if the party wake of the next 2019 general and thirst even observe fast. other vegetables) and chanas. ting invites on Facebook (FB). gions preach ‘giving without
was also seen drawn to his ed ministers Rajiv Jasrotia and wanted to retain the political election. And, Congress is When you break your fast This was welcome and the Needless to say that the iftaar publicity but, seems that this
own party. Nevertheless, he Devendra Kumar Manyal — support in the province,” the also waiting in the wings to the aura of piety all pervades rozedaars would enjoy this parties offer perfect picture part is being totally ignored
drew large crowds wherever are finding it difficult to visit state BJP president Ravinder electorally benefit from the your soul. It is a spirituality in the comfort of their sur- opportunity to social media in the age of virtual world.
he went. their constituencies. Raina told media. possible showdown between that comes from doing what roundings without having to lovers, splashing pictures Hope that this article will help
Stoking the campaign is The overwhelming public Going forward and with Singh and the BJP. For now, the Almighty wanted you to make long journeys to home all over FB and WhatsApp curb this fake way of getting
a deep-rooted communally- response to the campaign the campaign for the CBI however, the BJP has mended do, it is certainly not a ‘party’ to ‘break fasts.’ groups. They also get a chance a notch higher on the social
tinged suspicion of the inves- finally forced the BJP high probe into the Kathua case fences with Singh. feeling. While Islam believes This trend of sending to show off their designer pre- media ladder.
tigation into the crime carried command in New Delhi to unlikely to reach its logical in ‘community’ concept and iftaari is fast dwindling. Peo- Eid attires and jewellery. You
out by the Special Investiga- take note. The BJP president conclusion, there is scope letters@tehelka.com eating together is certainly a ple are now organising iftaars will find a lot of socialites pre- letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 30 june 2018 48 www.Tehelka.com Tehelka / 30 june 2018 49 www.Tehelka.com

48 Riyaz BJP.indd 3 16/06/18 12:25 PM 49 ​​Kulsum Mustafa.indd 3 16/06/18 12:25 PM