2009/1/7 Sandeep Heble <sandeephe...@gmail.com>: > I would accept the words of Hartman and Frederick that John Dayal is a > great humanitarian – something that I never disputed in my earlier > posts in the first place. As a matter of fact, some of the most
Just to point out: I didn't say John Dayal is a "great humanitarian". I did say there are clear attempts to discredit him online, apparently because of his campaigns to raise issues about religious intolerance and communalism in India. Whether or not I agree with John Dayal's priorities and approaches, this is despicable. (Similar is the case with others who campaign on these concerns, such as Vijay Prashad, who are victims of calaumny spread by Web 2.0 initiatives that were set up to empower the average citizen!) While my colleague Hartman criticised Sandeep Heble, used some strong word, and was gracious enough to have apologised for it, in fact, I believe that in recent times, Sandeep's posts have brought in a voice of reason to Goa-related debates in cyberspace. On the other hand, I am concerned by the approaches of some other middle-of-the-roaders who seem more ready to buy into communal propaganda, to pick up from and point to dubious websites and use these as evidence, and to duck major issues while getting every caught up with details. I expect more from individuals like Dr Santosh Helecar, whose recent priorities seem to have included jumping to the rescue of the VHPA Inc-linked Sonal Shah, to seek to discredit John Dayal and Vijay Prashad, to question activists and campaigners, to proffer lengthy arguments that deny the possibility of a polarisation along communal lines specially in Goa, et al... As for the others, who interprete everything in religious terms -- of whichever religion's perspective -- they have been with us for long, and one doesn't expect any better. But even if rational voices get polarised, then isn't it cause for concern? FN -- FN * Independent Journalist http://fn.goa-india.org M: +91-9822122436 P: +91-832-2409490
