The conversion - anti conversion debate

In this democratic country I'm entitled to follow any religion. The constitution(Article 25) in fact allows me to practice and propagate any religion. "Propagate" here according to my knowledge includes preaching my religion as well.

In this entire debate, 'conversion' denotes, converting a person from one religion to another religion. My point here is, If a person wants to convert from religion 'x' to religion 'y' he is entitled to do so. And government should not be interfering in to such a private decision.

The problem comes only when there are forced conversions. Now, forced conversions according to me are misnomers. You cannot forcibly convert a person (i.e) You cannot threaten to kill a person and ask him to convert to any religion. He may act outside, but in the innermost heart he might still be the same person. So government can intervene and stop any threatened conversion not for the sake of conversion, but because any human being threatening any other human being ought to be punished.

So I wholeheartedly support the much maligned "Gharwapsi" also; Yes, anybody can preach to me about the beauties of Hinduism and help me see the light in that. So also I support Muslims preaching Islam. My only point is, I cannot be and should not be threatened to follow any religion. And yes, that includes Christianity also. Anybody threatening others to follow Christ should be put behind bars. No, two ways about it!

I understand, others will have different opinions on this. And I defend to death their right to say it. We can debate this with all civility and without abuse.

My other worry is, we are fighting the wrong battle. There are bigger battles to be fought and I also just hope in the name of fighting this battle, we will not stop a lot of good works done in the name of religion like the "Mother Teresa's orphanages", "Sai Baba's hospitals" and the "Islamic educational institutions".

Letter to Shri.Arwind Kejriwal!

Dear Sir congrats.

What you have done is bolywoodish. Taking on the mightiest of the mighty head on, and bringing them to their knees is really really impressive stuff. This indeed is a historic moment for the country. A time to celebrate. A time which will restructure history of this country for the next 50 years!

When you defied all odds and got public donations through legal banking means, I knew you meant business! And when you came out openly apologizing gracefully for the mistake of resigning last time, I prayed you get one more chance. 

Sir let us get straight to business. Let us be graceful in victory. Let there not be a public showing of humility. Let there not be many dharnas, though I defend your right to sit on a dharna. Let us govern this time. Let us show the world, what can be done when good people enter politics.

I hope you know the victory is just the first step. Not many political parties in this country have done good for this country. Not many politicians have kept to their word. Not many, no, not any, have stuck to all of their promises. Let us focus on that. Focus on the manifesto. Focus on the promised government schools and hospitals. Focus on reducing corruption. Proper governance will make sure you win next time. Not mere promises.Not mere words. 

Sir, let me not lecture you on governance. But I will just close with Lord Acton's dictum

         "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" 

and so please be on your toes. Anything untoward, crush them mercilessly. And of course those people will have other parties. Never mind sending out people who you think are even slightly misbehaving. AAP without them is better. We have seen it happen in Shazia Ilmi and Kiran Bedi.

And of course, congratulations to the selfless volunteers; the backbone behind the movement.

Godspeed

On marriage and the aftermath!

Yes, aftermath is a word used to define the after effects of a disaster! Yet, I'm using it here. I might end up using my apologizing skills on the woman I presume. Ah! what is life without the banter.

Yes, for those of you who were asking about my blog on the wedding, I had decided not to write as it was an experience beyond words! See, I am learning the art of diplomacy here.

It surely was a sureal day. The holy communion service, the family get together, the fun, the laughter, that harried feeling, the suffocating love, and of course the grand wedding ceremony and the fabulous reception which followed. The day was too little to have so much happening. Yet, it all happened.

The wedding had the exhilarating wait for the woman, with two of India's greatest violinists playing "The arrival of the queen of sheba". It had the grandest feeling of tying the "mangalsuthra" on the wife. It had the 'everybody's eyes on us' feeling. It had the sense of unmatched excitement. It had the 'cameras flashing on you' thrill. It had almost everything; except of course the mother with whom I had dreamt my wedding day so much. Ah, how I wish she had been there. She would have taken that day to different heights.

I will have to bring gratefulness here! The friends and the family. You made that day happen. Thank you all, for the love, for the prayers, for the blessings and for your presence on that day.

So, life after marriage is different! I am learning dependence. Accountability. The "I do what I want" feeling is slowly being taken away. The fiercely independent person in me is being destroyed.

I made a 'commitment', 'a tryst' with a woman in His presence that day; and that was the day all about.