Comments by "Sandy Tatham" (@sandytatham3592) on "Here's what PM Modi told 'bade bhai' Farooq Abdullah when he met him on eve of Art 370 removal" video.

  1. deeyarshree: Yes, Modi's 'fool proof method' is that he has the court system by the balls. No court will rule that abrogation was unconstitutional because that would go against the wishes of this Hindutva Mafia Raj. So much for the ethics of your Lord Ram!
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  2.  Jefferson Rajkumar ...weird question. I'm Australian-NZ, and live primarily in India.
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  3.  Jefferson Rajkumar ...many thanks. I'm deeply disappointed in the direction India has taken since BJP was elected. I've been coming to India for nearly 30 years so I've seen (and experienced) the dramatic rise in hate and intolerance from those Indians who support Modi.
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  4.  Jefferson Rajkumar ...but this doesn't mean that I don't acknowledge the very deep problems of Kashmir. My focus is ethics, human rights, and rule of law. Kashmir is troubled because their ideology will never allow them to integrate. Islam needs to collapse (or at least lose its political-legal dimension and become just a personal religion) before the Muslims of Kashmir will have peace and prosperity. Education and enLIGHTenment is the only way to bring this about.
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  5.  Jefferson Rajkumar ...wow, that bad? It's very sad, but 'general dissatisfaction' could pull BJP back into sorting out the economy and lightening up on freedom of speech... or maybe that's just my wishful thinking?
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  6.  Jefferson Rajkumar ...I get what you say, but you must also take into account that Kashmiri Muslims are obligated to be loyal to a global 'ummah'. They also follow a doctrine which cannot be 'modernised', nor can they leave it without harsh penalty. They would have some of the same fears as you mention, but there are more complications on top of that. So I don't think it's correct to put all of the blame onto the politicians.
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  7. ​ Jefferson Rajkumar ...Possibly because Muslims in the rest of India are not affected by Pakistan in the same way as the Kashmir Valley is? Fundamentalist teachings have also been huge in the Kashmir Valley over the past few years, and this has indoctrinated many of the younger generation. But the biggest resistance will NOW come because of they way they are being treated by the government of India. Without internet for over 100 days, how can they run businesses, earn their livelihoods, get good healthcare and basic needs met?
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  8. Another major difference between Kashmiri Muslims and Muslims in the rest of India is that in Kashmir Valley they are in an overwhelming majority, which gives them a feeling of power and maybe 'entitlement'. Plus they always had Article 370 to protect their identity and rights. But removing Article 370 won't fix the problem. It's much bigger than just that, and Article 370 was slowly being eroded anyway by natural processes of their government.
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  9. ​ Jefferson Rajkumar ...Yes, in Australia we have three national flags, National Australian, Aboriginal Australian, and Torres Strait Island. Each state also has its own flag, national flower, bird or animal, and its own constitution. Why on earth would you say that Indian Muslims are not impacted by this global trend? Maybe they aren't quite as visible as in countries like UK and North America, but they are definitely here in India, and they are becoming more visible. Though, if they do reject Islam, they will probably be shunned by their families and communities (even killed, two Kashmiri men told me) so many are still very quiet or they remain 'cultural Muslims' only.
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  10.  Jefferson Rajkumar ...yes, I know a lot about the Kohistan story. I spent three months in North Pakistan in 2009, staying with some local families where I was made very aware of 'honour killing' for certain behaviour. Leaving Islam would definitely constitute a reason for being killed, though the motive might be hidden from the outer world, such as a tortured body being found drowned in a river.
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  11. I would LOVE to return to Pakistan but have been told by two different Indian Consular Offices that I will not be granted a tourist visa for India again if I have visited Pakistan recently. I've heard this from a few other foreigners too, since BJP was elected. Of course India must protect their security, but this seems a bit extreme, even vindictive! My favourite 'home' is India so I have to follow that directive.
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  12.  Jefferson Rajkumar ...yes, that's a common situation. If you are famous or relatively well known, you will be left alone and even cited as an example of how 'tolerant' an Islamic society is. But it can be deceptive. And you must be financially independent to survive, which is very difficult for most Muslims from poorer backgrounds, especially the girls. The situation can also change from year to year. Ten years ago it was OK to be an ex-Muslim atheist or a Christian convert in countries like Egypt or Morocco. Now it will earn you a jail term or even death. It is seen as treason.
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  13.  Jefferson Rajkumar ...many thanks. I also enjoyed the conversation!
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