Arun Shourie’s oeuvre of writing made for an interesting panel discussion. By TEAM VIVA
He is credited with uncovering the Indian version of
Watergate. When he speaks or writes, people notice. One might disagree
or agree with the contents but one appreciates the flair. Arun Shourie’s
name elicits a raised eyebrow and grudging expression of respect, even
from his sworn opponents. It was the launch of a new edition of his
books. Shourie is nothing if not thorough. All the books have a two inch
thick spine. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, who moderated the panel discussion
remarked, “There is atleast one place where Arun confirms to being a
Gandhian. His complete works will have 90 volumes.”
Soli J Sorabjee, Arif Mohammed Khan and Pratap Bhanu Mehta were a
part of the discussion at India Habitat Center. The four books,
(released by Harper Collins) deal with topics, that are both
controversial and sensitive.
Falling Over Backwards is an essay
against reservations and judicial populism. It was published during
2006, immediately after the 27 per cent increase in reservations were
announced.
The World Of Fatwas or the Shariah in action, is concerned with the social, religious and political context of fatwas through ages.
It was first published in 1995.
Worshipping False Gods, demystified the legend of BR Ambedkar.
Does He know a mother’s heart, deals with his own life and how at
times, even god cannot be held responsible for what happens on Earth.
The relationship of Aditya, his son (who has cerebral palsy), with the
family is poignant. The book came out last year.
On
Falling Over Backwards, Soli S Sorabjee commented, “When
we talk of reservation, we need to address that yes, certain groups have
been discriminated against.
“And three things need to be kept in mind — the extent of the
reservations, the application and duration. The aim was to enhance
people’s lives. But the underlying philosophy hasn’t been employed....
it’s the parliamentarians who make it tough,” said Sorabjee.
Arif Mohammed described
The World of Fatwas... as “not an attack on the Muslims. It’s an attack on the deviation that took place in Islamic history.
He added, ““In the Quran its said, that the judgment belongs to God
alone. Not even the Prophet has right to issue judgment. The word
‘fatwa’ is used just ten times in the Quran. And not the way the current
fatwa making industry uses it.”
Pratap Bhanu Mehta felt that
Falling over Backwards was the
most disturbing of the books, because of its powerful reasoning. “Arun
writes about a judge, ‘if any one else had passed such gas, it would
have been nauseous’. It questions the democracy we live in. A democratic
government is run by public reason, not votes. It should be spirited,
have free speech, and practice of public reason. We have free speech,
but what about frank speech? There is no public reason. Leave alone the
corrupt, second guessing nature of current democracy.”
He quoted Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, ‘
Jab dil bhara ho aur dimaag
khaali, toh kisko charcha main ruchi hogi,’ Arun’s books show that hum
sabke dimaag khali hain, par dil kyun bhara hai, that is the
question”. (If the heart is full, and the mind empty, who will be
interested in debate? Shourie proves our minds are empty, but why the
heart is full, is the key question.)
Diatribes were expected. “I haven’t spared anyone, for I haven’t
spared myself Soli,” came Shourie’s rejoinder. “We seldom talk about
these issues in public. In private we may have a stand, but we care more
about being political correct. The Khaps and fatwas gain power for no
has spoken against them. There is a silence that is deafening.”
He concluded, “I took these subjects, as I wanted to grill facts, and
create an avalanche. I read 18000 pages on fatwas. Its necessary to
deal with the facts. While Indian politics has become freer, the
politician has become more silent. The current discourse is dominated
by people who believe in nothing.
“The media has ignored important issues of our time. Even though its
writing against the current intellectual fashion, some one must do it.”
sOURCE:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/83691-fatwas-and-false-gods.html
