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xtruss · 4 years

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Why White Supremacists and Hindu Nationalists are So Alike

White supremacy and Hindu nationalism have common roots going back to the 19th-century idea of the 'Aryan race'.

by Aadita Chaudhury, December 13, 2018

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs US President Donald Trump as they give joint statements in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, US, June 26, 2017

Over the last few years, especially after Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 US presidential election, we have been witnessing the normalisation, and rise, of a white-supremacist, ultranationalist brand of right-wing politics across Europe and the United States. While the shift towards extreme right alarmed many across the world, far-right ideologues of the Trumpian era swiftly found support in a seemingly unlikely place: India.

Many members of the so-called "alt-right" - a loosely knit coalition of populists, white supremacists, white nationalists and neo-Nazis - turned to India to find historic and current justifications for their racist, xenophobic and divisive views. Using a specific, "white nationalist" brand of Orientalism, they projected their fantasies about a racially pure society onto the Indian culture and in response received a warm welcome from Hindu fundamentalists in India.

While an alliance between the Hindu far right and the Western alt-right may appear confounding on the surface, it actually has a long history, going all the way back to the construction of the Aryan race identity, one of the ideological roots of Nazism, in the early 20th century.

In the 1930s, German nationalists embraced the 19th-century theory that Europeans and the original Sanskrit speakers of India who had built the highly developed Sanskrit civilisation - which white supremacists wanted to claim as their own - come from a common Indo-European, or Aryan, ancestor. They subsequently built their racist ideology on the assumed superiority of this "pure" race.

Savitri Devi (born Maximiani Portas), a French-Greek thinker and mysticist who later became a spiritual icon of Nazism, helped popularise the idea that all civilisation had its roots in this Aryan "master race" in India. She travelled to India in the early 1930s to "discover the source of the Aryan culture" and converted to Hinduism while there.

She quickly integrated herself into India's burgeoning Hindu nationalist movement by promoting theories that support privileged caste Hindus' superiority over Christians, Muslims and unprivileged caste Hindus in the country. In 1940, she married Asit Krishna Mukherji, a Hindu nationalist and Indian supporter of Nazism who had praised the Third Reich's commitment to ethnonationalism, seeing commonalities between the goals of the Hitler Youth and the youth movement of Hindu nationalism, Rashtriya Sevak Sangh (RSS).

Devi worked as a spy for the Axis forces in India throughout World War II and left the country after the defeat of Nazi Germany using a British-Indian passport. In the post-war period, she became an ardent Holocaust denier and was one of the founding members of the World Union of National Socialists, a conglomeration of neo-Nazi and far-right organisations from around the world.

Devi still has a strong influence over the Hindu nationalist movement in India. Her 1939 booklet titled A Warning to the Hindus, in which she cautions Indian nationalists to embrace their Hindu identity and guard the country against "non-Aryan" influences, such as Islam and Christianity, is still widely read and highly regarded among Hindu nationalists. Perhaps not surprisingly, recently Devi and her theories have also been rediscovered by right-wing ideologues in the West and she is now considered an alt-right icon.

However, the current connection between far-right groups in the West and Hindu nationalists is limited neither to Devi's teachings nor the old myth of the Aryan race.

Today, the two groups share a common goal in eroding the secular character of their respective states and a common "enemy" in Muslim minorities. This is why they often act in coordination and openly support each other.

In the US, the Republican Hindu Coalition, a group with strong links to the Hindu nationalist movement in India, has been rallying behind President Donald Trump's controversial immigration policies, like the Muslim ban and the border wall. Trump's campaign strategist and prominent alt-right figurehead Steve Bannon once called India's Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi "the Reagan of India".

Meanwhile, in India, a far-right Hindu nationalist group named Hindu Sena (Army of Hindus), which has been linked to a series of inter-communal incidents in India, has been throwing parties to mark Trump's birthday. The group's founder even claimed that "Trump is the only person who can save mankind."

In Canada, far-right Islamophobic organisations such as Rise Canada, which claims to "defend Canadian values" and combat "radical Islam", are popular among Hindu-nationalists. The group's logo even features a red maple leaf rising out of a lotus flower, which is often associated with Hinduism.

In Britain, the National Hindu Council of Temples (NHCTUK), a Hindu charity, recently caused controversy by inviting far-right Hindu nationalist Tapan Ghosh to speak at the parliament. Ghosh has previously suggested the UN should "control the birth rate of Muslims" and said all Muslims are "Jihadis". During his visit to the UK, Ghosh also attended celebrations of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with cabinet ministers Amber Rudd and Priti Patel, and met the former neo-Nazi leader Tommy Robinson.

On top of their shared Islamophobia and disdain for secular state structures, the destructive actions, protests and aggravations of Hindu nationalists and the Western far right are also very much alike.

In November, the government of the state of Uttar Pradesh, which is led by the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), proposed to build a statue of the Hindu god Ram in Ayodhya, where the historic Babri Masjid was illegally demolished by Hindu nationalists in 1992. Only a month earlier, the same government pulled off a massive spectacle, having a helicopter drop off individuals dressed as Ram and Sita at the Babri Masjid site to mark the start of Diwali celebrations.

The sentiment behind these apparent attempts to intimidate Muslims and increase tensions between communities was in many ways similar to the far-right, white supremacist rally that shook Charlottesville in 2017. The neo-Nazis chanted "You will not replace us" as they marched through the streets of Charlottesville.

The far right in the US, Europe and Canada - emboldened by the electoral success of ultra-nationalist parties and individuals across the globe - aspire for a future in which secular protections are abandoned in favour of a system that favours the majority and protects the "white Christian identity" that they believe their nations were founded upon.

Likewise, Hindu nationalists in India, empowered by the BJP's landslide election victory in 2014, and inspired by European ethnonationalism and fascism, reject the constitutional secularism of the Indian state, propose that India is fundamentally a Hindu nation, and insist that minorities, especially Muslims and Christians, do not belong in a "Hindu country".

Ever since the start of the normalisation of far-right ideas in the West, a surge in racist, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks was witnessed across the US and Europe.

The same happened in India after Hindutva officially became the governing ideology in the country. Over the past few years, countless Muslims, Christians and low-caste Hindus have been persecuted, assaulted and even killed for allegedly killing cows and many Muslims were targeted for allegedly participating in so-called "love jihad".

But despite all these similarities, there is major a difference between Hindu fundamentalism in India and far-right movements in the West: the liberal reaction to it.

While liberals and leftists quickly united against the rise of the far-right, they chose to largely ignore the rise of Hindu nationalism in the world's largest secular democracy. Especially after the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the necessity of expanding the anti-fascist praxis to include all forms of racism, from anti-Semitism to Islamophobia, was emphasised by many. However, the opposition to Hindu nationalism has not yet been made part of the broader movement, despite the well-documented suffering of India's minorities under BJP's rule.

Instead, the idea that India is a "Hindu nation" is being accepted as a given by the majority of liberals. The fact that India's constitution defines the state as "secular" is being ignored, and Hindu nationalism is being presented as a benevolent movement despite ample evidence to the contrary.

White vegans in the West, for example, rejoiced over the decision by several Indian states to ban the consumption of beef, without bothering to understand what these laws would mean for Muslims and Dalits who had already been suffering at the hands of so-called "cow vigilantes". Animal rights and veganism advocate PETA has in fact gone further and berated vegetarians who consume milk in India for "supporting the beef industry", thus playing into the communal politics of food in India.

Hindu nationalism and white supremacy are the two sides of the same coin. For the global movement against racism, white-supremacy and fascism to succeed, anti-fascists across the world need to acknowledge and stand up to the Hind nationalism threat.

Hindus themselves, both in India and abroad, also need to take action and raise their voices against the abuses that are being committed in their names. One such organisation already exists for diaspora Hindus in North America: Sadhana. It is a coalition of progressive Hindus based in New York City, seeks to stop the use of Hindu thought for the purposes of misogyny, queerphobia, Islamophobia and white supremacy.

However, Hindu nationalism cannot be defeated by Hindus alone. People around the world who engage with and comment on the Indian culture on a regular basis, including sub-urban Yoga mums in the US and vegan activists in Europe, should educate themselves on the secular nature and diverse identities of India. They need to join the resistance against the oppression and abuse of the country's minorities and stop perpetuating the Hindu-nationalist myth that India is a "Hindu nation".

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance. Aadita Chaudhury is a PhD Candidate in Science & Technology Studies at York University, in Toronto, Canada.

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ruroy9i · 5 years

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Assassin's Creed: Conquest

Kashmir , 1521: Twelve year old Hariharan Pundit watches in awe as the soldiers of the new Sultanate come to his father's humble cottage with news from His Excellency, Emperor Babur. That awe turns into rage and terror when in a week's time his village is burnt down and he is forced to flee with his mother, as his father and the other Brahmins are executed for refusing to accept Islam. Overwhelmed by the enormity of his life coming crashing down, Hariharan swears to tear the Mughal dynasty apart.

Buxar, 1528: Farid Khan is a new recruit in the army of Jamal Khan, the Mughal governor of Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh). Young and promising, he is asked to oversee the repairs of a captured Rajput fort and its surrounding village: Bhangarh. He is shocked to see the death and decay in the village, haunted by a mysterious epidemic. Jamal asks him to kill the people, but his efforts are interrupted by a mysterious man infiltrating the camp. As this man silently eliminates the guards, Farid manages to catch up with him, just as he is about to spring an attack on Jamal. Farid prepares to give alarm, but watches as the hooded man expertly steals the keys to the fort from Jamal's person. Intrigued, Farid follows him and climbs up the fort ramparts, to the inner sanctum. The keys grant them audience into a secret hall, with strange golden letters on the wall. Meanwhile, Jamal raises alarm and surrounds the sanctum with the troops. The hooded man reaches the apex of the hall and removes a green glowing goblet. Jamal asks him to let go of it and charges in with the troops. This sets off numerous booby traps as the troops fall to freak deaths. The hooded man takes care of the rest. Jamal knocks the goblet off him and tries to escape with it. The hooded man follows him and is about to go for the kill, when Farid intercepts him and wrestles him down. The man almost gouges Farid's eye out with a blade hidden up his slave. He stresses upon how the goblet is an "instrument of Jannat" and must be retrieved at all costs. Farid lets him go, but it is too late He is surrounded by reinforcements and wounded severely. Farid pretends to go in for the kill, while secretly leading the man to relative safety. He treats the man's immediate wounds until he regains consciousness. The man expresses his gratitude and gives him his name: Hari Baaz. By the time Farid is back with medicines, the man is gone.

Few days later, Farid breaks into Jamal's quarters to see what else he is hiding and steals several obscure maps before leaving his services and Buxar forever.

Bihar, 1529: Hari Bazz is called upon by the Assassin grandmaster, Khifur Mia to foil a coup on the Mughal interests in Bengal by the Sultan Mahmud Shah. Hari is somewhat conflicted due to his personal hatred for the Mughals but is reminded of his oath as an assassin. He starts by flushing out traitors within the soldiers of Bahar Khan, the governor of Bihar. After making his way through the riff-raff, he learns of plans to murder Bahar Khan and destabilize the Mughal rule in Bihar. He learns from gossip among the soliders that it may be spearheaded by the ambitious young commander: Farid Khan. Hari joins a hunting convoy to spy on Farid Khan. He follows a suspicious Farid away from the main party, deeper and deeper into the forests. He sees Farid deciphering strange maps and finally recognizes him to be the man who saved his life in Buxar. Farid is about to enter an abandoned temple, when a tiger pounces upon him. Farid barely holds it off, before the tiger mauls meat off his arm. Farid still fights him back, driving a dagger into its neck. Hari jumps in just in time and drives his hidden blade right into the tiger's heart. Farid is surprised to see him again and recognizes him instantly. Hari asks what he is doing with the maps and Farid says that he has realized Hari is working for some secret organization. Hari asks Farid to trust him. So Farid leads him into the temple and they uncover a locked book. Farid has been deciphering the cryptic maps and has discovered many places and people of interest all over Hindustan who are guarding some "Instrument of Eden". Hari takes a look at the maps and realizes that the key is to be found separately. He is faced with a tough choice, whether to kill Farid or not. But he hears the whole convoy converging on them and a worried Bahar Khan rushing in. So he asks Farid to continue deciphering the maps while he go gets the key. As he leaves, he hears Bahar Khan congratulating and applauding Farid's bravery and conferring upon him the title : " Sher Shah"

Delhi, 1529: Hari Bazz tracks down the key to the ruins of the Indraprastha region. But he finds he is too late, it has already been retrieved by Pratap Rao, a minor subedar. He tails Rao to a brothel, where he is enjoying a grand dance by Akhtari Begum. Eliminating all opposition , Hari enters the bed- chamber and asks the Begum to leave. As Rao hurtles into the room lustfully, Hari holds the blade to his throat and asks where the key is. In due course, it becomes clear that Rao is part of a secret organization left behind by Ashoka the Great, entrusted to find the devices of salvation that can shape the world. But now they plan to use those devices to cripple the Mughals and drive them out of the country. And they are so well hidden in the Mughal administration that they have obtained Babur's permission for their own decimation. Hari debates what is the best way forward and in that delay, Rao raises a cry for help and then impales himself on the blade. Guards come rushing, and Hari is helped by the Begum in hiding and subsequently escaping the city.

Ayoddha, 1529: Khifur Miia drops by to tell Hari that the leader of the secret organization might be Amir Khusrau, who is in Ayoddha for collecting jizya tax. Hari tracks Khusrau down and witnesses the brutality meted out to the Hindus. He does his best to minimize casualties, by incapacitating rogue soldiers. In due time he realizes that Khusrau is going door to door, not collecting the tax, but looking for someone called Sasaram Pathak. He discovers Pathak's house and intercepts a messenger pigeon sent out by them, leading him to Sasaram,who is hiding by the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Hari realizes that Sasaram has gone paranoid and will kill anyone who tries to get through. Before he can think of something however, Khusrau sets fire to the whole slum adjacent to the temple. Hari abducts and pushes Pathak out of his room(who was bent on dying). Once out however, Pathak scrambles like a chicken and it falls to Hari to eliminate Khusrau's men trying to catch him. It is then that Pathak decides to trust him. Turns out, Pathak is a learned Scholar of Vedic texts, whom Khusrau needs to activate some obscure device.

The next morning, Khusrau finds one of his soldiers dragging Pathak in. Pathak refuses to help Khusrau and asks how he even got the device in the first place. It becomes apparent that the device was the one unearthed from Ashoka's own investigations from Bhangarh fort by Jamal Khan. Pathak is forced to solve the puzzles that open the device. It starts giving off the same green light. Pathak is thrown into the prison. By the next morning, all of Khusrau's soldiers are vomiting blood and some claim that its apocalypse come for them. Hari, so long disguised as one of Khusrau's men finally realizes what the device actually is. He braves the spell of illness to take Pathak and escape. But Khusrau sends more men to kill Pathak in case he had survived the illness. And so ensues a mad chase through Ayoddha, off and on buildings, through stables and temple roofs, in and out of tree branches and not without the slight disturbance to the monkeys dwelling in there. At the end of it, Hari retrieves the goblet and drives a bullock cart right into the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Khusrau marvels at the madness before leaving the city. Hari leads Khusrau's men into the deep well in the heart of the temple's sanctum and dumps the cart along with the goblet into it. A surge of green light breaks the skyline as Hari barely escapes, blood and vomit frothing at his mouth.

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As the player is pulled out of the animus due to a nosebleed, his supervisor joins the dots of the memory he has uncovered. The device must have contained a radiation source, capable of killing everyone within a 200 mile radius. That is what must have killed everyone in Bhangarh and would have done the same in Ayoddha, had it not been for Hari. He wonders if that is why Babur constructed the Babri Masjid atop it, to keep the radiation sealed in.

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Bihar, 1530: Khifur Miia convenes a meeting of the Indian assassins to discuss their future course of actions. They agree to find the devices before Khusrau and his men do, for they are clearly not suited to use them. Khifur asks Hari to make short work of Farid and retrieve the maps, to which Hari severely disagrees. He makes it clear that the Mughals are unwittingly in the pockets of the very men who will kill them and are also not suited to be trusted with the devices. On the contrary he trusts Farid and believes him destined for greatness. And to out-maneuver Khusrau's men with the Mughal empire's resources, they'll need an empire of their own. Not all agree, but they decide to give Farid a chance.

Later, Hari infiltrates the grand birthday of Jalal Khan, the son of the late Bahar Khan. He is discovered by the regent of Bihar, Farid Khan aka "Sher Shah Shuri". Sher is glad to see him and the two start discussing the developments they've made. They unlock the book and discover what the devices are capable of: engines of death, epidemic and disease.

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Bengal, 1534: With Babur's death, Humayun's tumultuous reign has started.

Hari finds himself in Gaurbanga, looking for the third of the eight devices of death.

He meets up with Sasaram Pathak and is pointed in the direction of Susunia. Pathak tells him that this goblet might be the treasure sought after by many Tantrik cults, and they might have collected clues already. So they stake out the cottage of the infamous "Aghori" Tantriks and locate their leader: Rudrahara. Hari isolates Rudrahara, only to have a bunch of dacoits crash the party. Turns out they are after the treasure as well. The dacoits take Pathak hostage, so Hari yields. The tantriks hand them a strange idol of Goddess Kali, that is suppose to lead them to the treasure. Rudrahara admits that they were going to sacrifice a human and smear its blood on the idol, to get it to open up. The dacoit leader takes him up on the idea, but wonders who would make a good sacrifice. They bring Hari to the stake and sharpen their blades, but just then Pathak points out that the idol is shaped oddly, like the insignia on Hari's armband. Just then, King Pala's men surround them. Hari and the dacoits engage in a curious fight to defeat them. The dacoit leader is impressed with Hari's ability to incapacitate the men without killing them. He surmises that they were looking for him, as he is a most wanted criminal. He asks to tag along, and Hari agrees hesitantly. Pathak brings the Kali idol's hands down in the shape of the assassin's insignia, and the idol splits open. It shows them the path to an abandoned temple. Once there, they overcome more odds to find the goblet. As Hari uncovers it, the lights blind the dacoit. He is disappointed not to find a treasure, but decides to learn from Hari the way of the assassins. Hari agrees that he has the skills, but he has to leave his practices behind. The dacoit agrees and Hari swears him upon the assasin oath and gives him a new name: Raghu.

On their way back, they notice the governor,Ghiyasuddin Mahmud Shah's fleet preparing to sail to Bihar. Raghu explains that Sher Shah Suri has sprung a coup upon Jalal Khan, and Shah is sending reinforcements to help Jalal. Hari asks if Raghu's men are ready for battle.

Surajgarh, 1534: Khifur Miia warns Hari to not help Sher Shah in this battle, but Hari refuses. He admits that the Mughals are best suited to rule India, but not as long as the devices exist. Khifur Mia accepts the arrangement Hari is hinting at. And so the Indian assassin's, Raghu and his dacoit converts and Hari head on to Surajgarh fort to help Sher Shah. Sher Shah is glad to see them and remarks that this is Amir Khusrau's doing, manipulating Jalal Khan into eliminating the assassin's stronghold. But he promises to help the assasins in every way he can, should he survive this crisis. And so the siege of Surajgarh begins, with catastrophic consequences. The assasins help in turning the tide of war, but Sher Shah also proves his military mettle to no end.

Hari finally confronts Khusrau on the ramparts once again and after a fierce battle, kills him. Khifur Miia sustains too much damage and dies from his wounds

But after five days, Sher Shah beheads Mahmud Shah and cuts down their flag from the fort. And with Hari by his side, he hoists a new flag, a tiger leaping though the assasin insignia. And so begins a new era in Indian history, a new partnership and friendship.

The assasins help Sher Shah defeat Humayun at Chausa and Kannauj, and retrieve two more devices in the aftermath. And then comes Malwa, where Hari convinces Sher Shah to betray long time allies: Puran Mal, who was the new chief of Ashoka's order and ran a trafficking trade of women and children. It would be one of the last battles Hari and Sher Shah would fight together.

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As the player completes the Animus session, he is left wondering how Sher Shah lost his empire if he had been helped by the assasins. And what happened to the remaining devices, how were they disposed. The supervisor asks him to not to prod, as he might not like the answers. But the player sneaks in layer to access Hari's last memories.

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Kalinjar Fort, 1545: A hawk flies over the ramparts of the highly guarded fort, as cannon fire and smoke fills the skies. The tiger and assasin insignia flies high on the end of the fields. A lone assasin stands atop a fort minaret. As the Hawk passes over him, he takes a leap of faith into a haystack below. And then makes his way slowly into Sher Shah's camp. Heated arguments can be heard, as commanders quarrel. Sticking to the shadow, the assasin wipes a tear off his face and inches closer to the center of the bustle. And then Sher Shah's voice is heard as he sends his commanders to fetch the mortar. He himself puts in the gunpowder and is aiming the Canon, when the assasin drops a smoke bomb and inches closer to Sher Shah. Sher Shah places a hand on his shoulder and says: "Hello old friend, haven't seen you in forever." Hari looks him dead in the eyes with tears in his own, stabs him with the hidden blade and lights the cannon. As Sher Shah is left grabbing for support, Hari leaves saying, "Goodbye, you deserved better. Don't forgive me."

The Canon blows up, taking Sher Shah with it as Hari puts on his hood and disappears into the smoke.

*****

Agra, 1643: An elderly assassin overlooks the transport of several marble boxes into the inside of a mausoleum being built on the banks of the Yamuna. The Emperor approaches him and says, "Baba Birbal, is that satisfactory?"

The assasin smiles and assures Emperor Shah Jahan that he has done the country and the world a great debt. He remarks in passing to some Hariharan Punditji, that his work is now complete.

#assasin #assassin's creed #assassin's apprentice #assassin's fate #assassin's creed fanfic #fanfic #india #assassin's creed india #indian history #alternate history #historical fiction #historical figure

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pinkvilla · 5 years

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EXCLUSIVE: Not Babri Masjid demolition, Aamir Khan's Lal Singh Chadha to feature THIS political event

Aamir Khan has been working rigorously for his next movie titled Lal Singh Chaddha which is a remake of The Forrest Gump, the 1994 Hollywood movie. Aamir made the big announcement on his birthday this year and also revealed that he will be gaining a few kilos for the role. The movie will see Kareena Kapoor Khan play the female lead in the movie and will go on floors in October this year.

Recent reports suggested that the movie will feature instances from the Babri Masjid demolition event of 1992, along with other political and social developments that took place in the country in the last few decades. However, a source rubbishes the reports and informs that not Babri Masjid demolition, but it is the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that will feature as an important part of the plot in the movie. Aamir has been very particular about picking up his next movie after Thugs of Hindostan which did not perform well at the box office.

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Meanwhile, For the film, the makers - director Advait Chandan and Aamir have researched several looks and have zeroed in on four looks. "There will be four to five different looks for each part of the time frame. Both the characters age with time and Aamir and Advait has been looking at the clothes, the culture and the looks that were prevalent for every era and redesigning it for a sardaar."

Lal Singh Chaddha will release during Christmas next year.

Also Read: Aamir Khan meets Sanga Tamizhan director Vijay Chandar in Karaikudi; View Pic

#amirkhan #kareenakapoorkhan #Bollywood

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blks1ern-filani · 2 years

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SHOWS, TALKS AND WORKSHOPS

March 6 2022 HOME Ronan Mckenize Poetry Readings and Open Mic in response to Bernice exhibition.

Artist

February 24 2022 Strange Echoes Poetry Readings with a live Jazz Performing within an installation.

Artist

November 22 2021 Sensing A/New Visual Written poet piece, two posters . Flat 70

Artist

October 21 2021 Reflecting inwards, poetry workshop, The Factory Project

Artist and workshop facilitator

October 9 – 22 2021 Negro Ecstasy, sound/essay piece, and visual, at The Factory project

Artist

July 24 2021 We are happy but we broken, Malik Sharpe, Collaborative movement and Poetic reading. Yard Theatre

Contributing Artist

February 21 2021 Poetry writing workshop Call and Response, finding your authentic voice in the ’call’ to Audre Lordes Essay ’Poetry is not a luxury’. On zoom

Artist and Workshop Facilitator

July 26 2020 Connect with your purpose using divine feminine energy & African spirituality, Zoom sound poetic performance, on Zoom for Heal & unite

Contributing artist and performer

Dec 29 2019

1.1 Publication, Deborah-Joyce Holman, Poetry in publication

Contributing artist and performer

Nov 29 2019

LanguidHands Toward Black Testimony: Prayer/Protest/Peace at Jerwood Gallery Response/Readings

Contributing artist doing a reading on Research of Negro/Black Ecstasy

Sep 13 2019

Slow Burning, Jamila Johnson Small, Group movement performance at Redbull Music Festival

Contributing artist and performer

July 27 2019 Spoken Word Night, Urban space & subcultures, Autograph Gallery

Contributing artist and performer

Mar 5 2019

Kammer Klang, ‘Sounds 4 Survival’ Jamila Johnson Smalls and Phoebe Collings James Group Movement piece with readings

artist and performer

Mar 1 2019 Queer Direct, Group readings I read a poetic sound piece, Alamanc gallery

artist and performer

Feb 28 2019

Declaration of Independence, Group performance Babry Asante, BALTIC Centre for contemporary Art

Contributing artist and performer

Nov 23 2018

Happy Birthday Marsha! Screening and performance evening, Bernie Grant Arts Centre

Contributing artist and performer

Oct 10 2018 Slow Processing Collaborative piece with Rhoda Botenga, Somerset House

Artist and performer

July 31 2018 Breathless an exhibition and mixtape at 198 Gallery, London

Contributing artist and performer

Group collaboration, making a mixtape and having it played in a soundscape space in the gallery. This is an on-going project around us sharing our poetry and readings.

June 3 2018 Declaration of Independence a performance at Live art development agency, London

Contributing artist and performer

Group Performance, working with Barby Anste. The final outcome of on-going workshops. With a performance exploring what it is to find a sense of place as we navigate life and the world where we rarely hear our stories.

March 10 2018 BlackLivesMatter at Women of the World Festival

Panellist

Panel discussion on the statement Oppression exist and we cant ignore it. A 30 min talk then breakout in workshop groups.

February 14 2018 Queerness and Class Inferno Summit

Panellist

Panel discussion exploring the intersections of life, art, music and queerness

December 16 2017 BBZ Blaq Transmission Tate Modern

Panellist

Panel discussing the issues of TPOC within the community

December 8 2017 Rush an exhibition at Auto Italia South, London

Contributing artist and performer

I performed two spoken word piece one that was read not ingaing with the audience physically as I was in the back room. Then the second was a mix of poetry and my voice being distorted.

September 15 2017 BBZ what you saying, Copeland Park Bussey, London

Installation and open conversation being vulnerable in a public space

Contributing artist

August 21 2017 Lost Senses, Guest Projects, London

Performed poetry as part of spoken word event, discussing abuse, dancing, clubbing and feminism

March 30 2017 Hotline, New River Studio , London

Contributing artist

' HOTLINE aims to be a space for debate and interaction. A space to get inside the heads of artists, performers, friends, friends of friends and unknowns. An itinerant space for interactions and opinions, outside your bedroom and beyond your Facebook feed.'

June 2 2017 Platinum Paradise, Late at Tate, Tate Britain , London

Contributing artist

I performed a dance piece that had a recorded poem written and voiced by me play in the background as I was danced blindfolded in a room and had a video projections on me.

July 22 2016 Swaying Feels wit Blk Sirens, Penarth Centre, London

Curated event and conributing artist

I curated and hosted a night centring black women. The night included performances and poetry readings, with an all-black women led DJ set closing the night

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bigyack-com · 4 years

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Living as a refugee in one’s own country - india news

The day the trailer of the film Shikara was released, a few of my Pandit friends gathered at my home. We watched the trailer together, after which there was complete silence in the room. I did not raise my gaze and look at them. The hoarfrost of our hearts was shaken up by a call I received from a journalist friend in Jammu whose family spent several years in a refugee camp through the 90s. He spoke in a hurry, as if he were running out of time, as if his survival depended on the testimony he was to share at that moment. Responding to a scene in the trailer where a group of Pandit refugees are seen running after a truckload of tomatoes, he said the scene was true; he said he had witnessed it time and again in the refugee camp: trucks coming with relief material such as rice, vegetables, or kerosene oil.The friend had received a Crompton Greaves table fan as part of relief material in those days. His family has still kept it, though it stopped working years ago. “We just cannot part with it,” he said.Most of us have kept such things. It has been 30 years since we were forced out of home in an Islamist euphoria in which many of our Muslim friends, neighbours and colleagues got swayed. We are tired now. We don’t even come out on January 19, a day which we mark as the beginning of exodus from Kashmir Valley. We have gone silent about it and found other ways of dealing with the bitterness. But we have kept things. This is because so much untruth has been said about us that sometimes we need to make sure ourselves that the exodus happened, and that we became refugees in our country. Like my friend, many of us have kept blankets that we got as relief in those days. I remember in 1990 standing in exile outside the home of a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary near my one-room dwelling in Jammu who was coordinating relief distribution in the area. I was 14. At an age when I would have wanted to display a little machismo to impress girls in my school, I waited helplessly outside that man’s house, trying to overcome my humiliation. I wanted to run away, but we barely had anything to sleep upon. Our landlady had given us two durries, but mother said they smelt of rat urine. So, we badly needed that blanket. I bit my cheek and entered. As soon as I got hold of it, I closed my eyes and ran. The blanket stayed with us for several years till my parents shifted to Delhi.Sometimes our liberal friends complain that our story has been militarised. Some say that many of us have become bigots by supporting Narendra Modi and because a few Pandits keep trolling some prominent journalists and academicians on Twitter. But give us some leeway. My people may unsparingly use the term ‘Presstitute’ (including on me, sometimes), but they have not taken up the gun. We have not killed anyone; we have not burnt buses. We have not gone to any Muslim locality and taunted people with slogans that would remind them of, say, Babri Masjid demolition.But spare a thought about what trauma is inflicted upon us. Our friends are going out in protest marches and shouting Azadi slogans till their voice goes hoarse. They say they want Azadi from communal politics, Azadi from so many other things they think ail India right now. They say it has nothing to do with the slogans in Kashmir. But, for a moment, step into our shoes. In 1990, thousands of people were shouting these slogans on the streets of Kashmir, from its mosques all over, while baying for the blood of the minority Hindus. These slogans were reverberating when a Pandit woman’s appendix burst because the doctors in her district hospital in South Kashmir refused to operate upon her. Finally, after a lot of pleading, a Muslim doctor (whose kids were taught by one of lady’s relatives) operated upon her secretly. The Azadi slogans were still on as she was put on a mattress in a truck shortly afterwards, to Jammu, where she received proper treatment. The lady’s son, a boy then, became a lone wolf — not to ram trucks into innocent people, but to study medicine and become a doctor, who is now based in New Zealand. In the last three decades we have known of so many elderly people, who, on their deathbeds, wished to just be taken home. We had a way of life, we had our Gods, our language, our festivals, our rituals. They are all vanishing in our collective memory. In exile, we put pictures of our symbolic celebration of rituals on Instagram, more as an assurance to ourselves than to others — assurance that we are a people who are still alive; that our ties with our homeland have not been severed.We are not fools. We are not in whataboutery, pinning blame of our exodus on people who are young and want to fight a battle for their idea of India. We do not want to belittle the struggle of Shaheen Bagh. We don’t want our story to be used to exact revenge on anyone. But at least show us a little empathy. Remember what demons come to revisit us when you shout those slogans.After the Shikara trailer was out, a Pandit lady wrote on Facebook how her father was forced to join the Azadi procession in Srinagar in 1990 and had to flash a V sign to escape being singled out. Kashmiri blogger Vinayak Razdan shared a paper by a scholar that claimed Pandits were “quite compatible with the separatist ideologies,” and participated in anti-India marches. It is this blatant whitewash that has given Kashmiri terrorists the image of Gandhians. Remember, a killer called Farooq Dar alias Bitta Karate (from the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front) would roam around in downtown Srinagar with his pistol, searching for Batt’e Mushk (the smell of a Pandit), in order to find one and then kill him? Even then, Azadi slogans were running in the background. Show us a little empathy because, (Article) 370 or not, he has still not been tried for these murders.The man who participated by coercion in the ‘Azadi march’ that day in Srinagar is an invalid, today. He cannot even speak. His birthday is on February 7. Shikara releases on February 7. I hope that the man and all of us get some closure. I hope we never hear that slogan again.Rahul Pandita is an author and the co-writer of “Shikara: The untold story of Kashmiri Pandits Read the full article

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PM Imran opens Kartarpur Corridor

KARTARPUR—In what may be called the world’s ‘longest’ ever pilgrimage, it took almost 72 years to the Indian Sikhs to make it to one of their holiest shrines located just 4.1 kilometers from the border in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday inaugurated the much-anticipated Kartarpur Corridor project that would give visa-free access to the Indian Sikhs to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah, Religious Affairs Minister Pir Nurul Haq Qadri, special assistants Dr Firdous Ashiq and Zulfiqar Bukhari, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, and diplomats.

As the gate built on Pak-India border was opened, the smiling Sikh pilgrims walked into Pakistan with traditional turbans and holding kirpan (small sword) in their hands. The prime minister reached the venue of the inauguration ceremony through the shuttle service carrying the Sikh pilgrims.

Buses were awaiting the pilgrims with welcoming banners and wheelchairs were placed there for the elderly or ill persons. The pilgrims were later driven to the venue of the inauguration ceremony after going through immigration and security checks. At the terminal, the staffers were alert to swiftly accomplish the screening process.

All around, there was an ambiance of celebration both Indian and Pakistani Punjab, though the celebration was to some extent spoiled by Indian Supreme Court’s decision in Babri Masjid case ordering the formation of a trust to construct a temple for Lord Ram and allocate alternative land to Muslims.

Former Indian Prime Minister Sardar Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister of Indian Punjab Amrinder Singh, Congress leaders, renowned cricketer and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s friend Navjot Singh Sidhu and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol were also part of the group.

The Sikh pilgrims were all appreciative of the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa which made this longstanding demand of the Sikh community fulfilled. The Yatrees, who so far had been content of viewing their holiest shrine from binocular towers built in Gurdaspur district of Indian Punjab, would now be able to quench their thirst of the holiest pilgrimage.

The corridor would lead the pilgrims straight to the Gurdwara built to commemorate the site where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life before he died there in 1539. The opening of the Corridor coincides with the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birthday to be celebrated on November 12 when the arrival of Sikh pilgrims from across the world is expected.

In another co-incidence, Pakistan was also celebrating on Saturday the birth anniversary of its national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, also the great admirer of Baba Guru Nanak. In his philosophical poetry, ‘Bang-e-Dara’ Allama Iqba had spoken high of Guru Nanak’s broader outlook of religion. “Phir uthi aakhir sada Tauheed ki Punjab say, Hind ko ab ek mard-e-kaamil ne jagaya khuwab se,” which translates “Again, the voice of Tawheed has arisen from the Panjab; And thus, a perfect man has awaken India from her dogmatic slumber.”

In the same book, the great poet said, “Chishti ne jis zameen men paigham-e-haq sunaya; Nanak nay jis chaman men wahdat ka geet gaya” means “The place where Chishti gave his message of truth to the people; The place where Nanak sung a song of oneness of God.” The construction of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and renovation of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, which has now become the world’s largest Sikh Gurdwara, has been completed in record time. The ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was held on November 28, 2018. Spread over around 400 acres, the Kartarpur Complex currently consists of a new courtyard, langar khanas, museum, library, dormitories, locker rooms, an immigration centre and an embankment to protect the temple from the floods. Pakistan has announced to allow visit of 5,000 pilgrims to the shrine everyday with additional numbers on special occasions, subject to capacity expansion of facilities. As a special gesture, the government also waived off the requirement of passport for Sikh pilgrims and 10-day advance intimation for whole year. The opening of the Corridor is also realization of the dream of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had been the strong advocate of the minorities’ rights in Pakistan and had said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the state.” The Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the immigration counters and reviewed the arrangements where he warmly received Manmohan Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu. The stunning white-coloured edifice of Gurdwara Baba Nanak stands tall as a symbol of peace and harmony despite a relation full of discords between the two neighboring countries. The Government of Pakistan had acquired around 800-acre land and handed over the same to the Gurdwara management as a gift. Out of which, 42 acres were allocated for the construction of Gurdwara Complex and 62 acres for the agriculture purpose to meet the needs of the Langar Khana. The Gurdwara has been built in record time of 10 months, with high quality construction along with white marble and imported tiles. The visitors will have a glance of Sikhs history at the museum setup in the vicinity where the photographs of Sikh religious leaders have been put on display. A 12-bed hospital has also been established for any health emergency for the pilgrims.

Days of subcontinent’s prosperity not far once Kashmir issue resolved: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday while showing his optimism for the regional peace and development, said time was not far when the subcontinent would achieve prosperity once the Kashmir issue was resolved and the Kashmiris got their due rights. “France and Germany had fought so many wars and killed millions of people. Look the Germany and France of today, they now trade with each other with their borders open and have prosperity. No one even can think of war (there). Insha Allah when this Kashmir issue is resolved and Kashmiris get their right, the subcontinent will also see that kind of prosperity,” the prime minister said addressing the inauguration ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor here.

The Corridor would give a visa-free access to the Indian Sikhs to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the second holiest shrine of their faith, located some 4.1 kilometers from the Indian border in Pakistan. The prime minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah, Religious Affairs Minister Pir Nurul Haq Qadri, special assistants Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Zulfiqar Bukhari , Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, and others. The prime minister, who visited the huge Kartarpur complex to review the arrangements ,also welcomed former Indian Prime Minister Sardar Manmohan Singh and his cricketer friend Navjot Singh Sidhu as they went through the immigration process at the terminal. Bollywood actor Sunny Deol and Chief Minister of Indian Punjab Amrinder Singh were also among the prominent pilgrims in the ceremony that was also attended by hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from India and Pakistan, diplomats and media men from both sides of the border.

The prime minister, who earlier cut the ribbon to inaugurate the much-anticipated Corridor ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, appreciated the Frontier Works Organization and other government departments for completing the project in record 10 months. To a suggestion by Sidhu to open the border, the prime minister said soon after assuming his office, he had offered Modi to enhance the bilateral engagement to address the regional challenges of poverty, climate change and polio, besides peacefully resolving the Kashmir dispute through dialogue. He also recalled his interaction with Manmohan Singh in a summit in India in which the latter had also viewed that the region could prosper if the Kashmir issue was resolved. But unfortunately, the prime minister said, the Modi regime had turned the Kashmir issue from mere a territorial to a human rights one as around 900,000 Indian troops had put eight million people under siege in the Held valley. He told the gathering that the Kashmiri people were being treated like animals and their rights were being usurped, which were guaranteed by the United Nations. “Peace cannot be established this way. By this (issue) all of our relations are at halt,” he remarked. He said the peace could only be made by bringing justice as injustice could lead to anarchy, and urged the Modi government to liberate the Kashmiri people to let them live their own free life. He said if the border was opened for trade, one could guess how much prosperity the region could achieve and the people get rid of poverty. The prime minister said he was pleased to see the happiness on the faces of Sikh pilgrims who had got their longstanding demand fulfilled. He said being a mercy for the whole universe, Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had promoted the messages of humanity and justice which had been the core factors to differentiate the human societies from the jungle life. Similarly, he said Baba Guru Nanak had also promoted humanity and unity, while opposing any social division and hatred. He said being inspired by the peaceful teachings of great Sufi saints including Baba Farid, Nizamuddin Aulia and Moeenuddin Chuishti, people revered them and visit their shrines regularly. The prime minister, who wore bandanna, a white kerchief tightly tied around the head as bare head is considered inappropriate in Sikhism, said he was pleased to have done this for the Sikh community. Before this initiative, he had never thought of such a significance of Kartarpur Gurdwara among Sikhs. The prime minister reiterated that the real leaders had always contributed to bring social unity and never got votes by creating hatred in the society. He said Nelson Mandela was highly revered in South Africa because he had fought for unity in the society that had been apartheid by racism and saved his country from bloodshed. The prime minister said for the first time, the Sikh people would be able to come to Kartarpur and pay respect to the founder of their faith. “I hope, this is a beginning. Insha Allah, one day, our relations with India will be as it should have been had the Kashmir issue been resolved in the beginning,” the prime minister said. Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Nurul Haq Qadri said the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor was the greatest message of peace after the partition in 1947. He said the prime minister had fulfilled his commitment to provide access to Sikh community to visit their holy shrines. He said while being in Baghdad, Baba Guru Nanak used to visit the shrine of Imam Kazim daily which gave a message of harmony as he had devoted his life for peace and harmony. The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh said by opening of Kartarpur Corridor, the 70-year old demand of Sikhs had been fulfilled for what they were thankful to both the governments. He said the Muslims and Sikhs shared religious values as Baba Guru Nanak had also taught oneness of Allah and had spent a long time here in this area. Calling for promotion of the philosophy of Baba Guru Nanak for peace and unity, he said around 10,000 Sikhs resided in Pakistan who should also be provided such a facility to let them visit the shrines in India. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Novjot Singh Sidhu also addressed the ceremony.

Kartarpur – a corridor of love and peace in region: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Saturday said the doors of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur had been opened for Sikhs of entire world so that they might come here and enjoy hospitality and love from Pakistan.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor here, he said it was a historic day as the ‘corridor of love’ had been opened for a community of 140 million people. He said the world could see the practical demonstration of mutual religious respect between two religions, Islam and Sikhism, at Kartarpur today. “Credit for this love and interfaith harmony goes to Prime Minister Imran Khan, who took the initiative,” he added. The minister said the message of founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak Devji was the message of humanity and peace for all. He said now the world could see for itself who was proving to be a danger to the regional peace. “Who is sowing seeds of hatred in the region,” he added.

He said all Sufi saints gave the message of peace and love including Sikh Guru Baba Nanak and hoped that one day this message of peace and love would also reach the Indian Occupied Kashmir. He said the entire Sikh community was appreciating the decision of opening of Kartarpur Corridor. “Pakistan has been working on two corridors in the country including CPEC and Kartarpur,” he said, adding the first one was for economic development and the second one was for love, respect and peace in the region. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had made a promise one year ago with the neighbours and fulfilled his promise today by opening Kartarpur Corridor, but a promise was also made by an Indian prime minister about 72 years ago with Pakistan and Kashmir, which should now be fulfilled by implementing United Nations resolutions on Kashmir. He said Gurdawara Kartarpur was the largest gurdawara (Sikh temple) of the world, adding the prime minister had pointed out 400 Hindu temples which would soon be renovated and Pakistan would invite Hindus across the world to visit them. “Protecting the rights of non-Muslims in a Muslim state is the Sunnah of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and the vision of Hazrat Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (RA),” he added. He wished the Indian government opened the Central Jamia Masjid of Sri Nagar (Kashmir) for Muslims like Pakistan did. He said November 9 was an important day as Berlin Wall in Germany was demolished on this day. “Why can’t the Line of Control be demolished,” he asked. He invited the Indian government to join hands with Pakistan to tackle the real challenges of the Subcontinent like poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Noorul Haq Qadri also addressed the ceremony.

Imran Khan won the hearts with love: Navjot Sidhu

Sikandar-e-Azam conquered the world by force but Prime Minister Imran Khan has won the hearts of people with love, Indian politician and former cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Saturday while speaking at the opening ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor.

He said “Prime Minister Imran Khan has made the history by opening historical Kartarpur Corridor and fulfilled the long cherished dream of four generations of Sikh community, who were anxiously waiting to visit their holy place”. Navjot Sidhu said Imran Khan has conquered the hearts of Sikh community with his love. “It is for the first time in the history after division of Sub-continent that someone has actually tried to remove barriers between Pakistan and India”, he said. “Opening of Kartarpur Corridor is a goodwill gesture for the Sikh community whose four generations were deprived of visiting their father Baba Guru Nanak shrine which is their home. No such relief was given to the Sikh community ever in the history”, he said. Navjot Singh said he is representing the sentiments of 140 million Sikh whose voices were not heard during the last 72 years. He said that he saw many politicians but never saw a brave man like Imran Khan, who has given such a great happiness to him by opening this corridor that he never imagined. “Every leader focuses on profit and loss but Imran Khan is the first lion who heard the voice of heart”.

Navjot Singh said he saw many political leaders whose hearts are like of sparrows however the heart of Imran Khan is like an ocean. He has shown the world how a true friendship is carried on. Sikh community will act as ambassadors of Imran Khan across the world and will promote soft image of Pakistan at international level, he expressed.

Iqbal’s vision reflects in Kartarpur Corridor: Governor Punjab

Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said the government is opening Kartarpur corridor in the light of the vision of founding fathers of Pakistan – Dr. Allam Muhammad Iqbal and Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Talking to media persons at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal here on Saturday, he said poet of the East Allam Muhammad Iqbal championed the cause of minority rights and Prime Minister Imran Khan has translated the vision into reality. To a question, he said the government is trying to model Pakistan as per the dream of Allama Iqbal and turn the country into a prosperous, peaceful and tolerant country. To another question, he said PPP and PML-N had taken a judicious decision by not taking part in the Azadi March of Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, adding, the time was not ripe for the protest as it distracted international attention from the Kashmir issue. The PTI government had worked hard to internationalise the issue. “Maulana Fazal ur Rehman had undertaken a protest rally to the federal capital when the government was highlighting Kashmir issue vehemently”, he responded. Responding to a query, Governor Punjab said the government facilitated Azadi March in the light of PTI’s cardinal principles of freedom of speech and freedom of movement. However, he expressed the hope that Maulana Fazal ur Rehman would not adopt path of confrontation with the government. About Nawaz Sharif, the Governor said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would be allowed to get medical treatment from the country of his choice abroad, adding that the government had provided the best medical treatment to Nawaz Sharif. He said the family was also facilitated to look after the ailing Nawaz Sharif, adding, the government would not create any hurdle in Nawaz Sharif’s medical treatment.

Imran Khan won hearts of Sikh community by opening Kartarpur Corridor: Sikh Pilgrims

Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims arrived at Pakistan on Saturday from different countries welcomed the historical opening of Kartarpur Corridor and said Prime Minister Imran Khan has won the hearts of Sikh community across the world by opening this corridor and his name will remain imprinted in their hearts forever.

Sikh pilgrims visit the shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) “Imran Khan has fulfilled the promise of opening Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh community of India which he made a year ago and won their hearts. It was our long cherished desire to visit this holy place which the prime minister turned into reality”, Sikh Pilgrims said while talking media.

A policeman keeps vigil outside the shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) A jubilant Sikh Pilgrim, Sardar Amir Singh said this is a moment of happiness for the nations of Pakistan and India. Sikh community in India will now be able to visit their holy place in Kartarpur without passport and visa. “Indian nation can also get maximum benefit out of this project”, Sardar Amir Singh said during his visit to Kartapur Corridor.

Sikh pilgrims prepare bread for devotees at a shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) Another Sikh Pilgrim, Baba Ge Gorpal Singh said “I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan who has given such a big gift to the Sikh community not only of Pakistan and India but the whole world through opening Kartarpur Corridor on the biggest occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak”. The whole world is appreciating this peace gesture of Pakistani government which would allow Sikh Pilgrims from India to under take a visa free visit to the sacred shrine of Baba Guru Nanak and perform their religious rituals. Sardar Kalwant Singh said opening of Kartarpur Corridor is a good decision taken by the Pakistani government which has made easier for our Sikh brothers and sisters to visit their holy places in Pakistan. Now, Indian government should also facilitate the Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan for visiting their holy places in India by taking some similar step.

In this picture taken on November 6, 2019 Sikh pilgrims take selfie pictures in front of the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib ahead of its opening, in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur near the Indian border. - Thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected around the world to visit to Pakistan to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev which falls on November 12. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) Head of Pakistan Sikh Council, Dr. Ramesh Singh said “Today is a happiest day for the whole Sikh community as well as devoted followers of Baba Guru Nanak across the world. Opening of Kartarpur Corridor conveyed a message to the world that Pakistan is a peace loving country.” He appreciated the way different institutions of Pakistan including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, Evacuee Trust Property Board and others worked hard for timely completion of this project.

In this picture taken on November 6, 2019 a worker walks in front of the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib ahead of its opening in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur near the Indian border. - Thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected around the world to visit to Pakistan to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev which falls on November 12. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) He thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa for making excellent security and other arrangements for the Sikh Pilgrims at the opening ceremony of corridor and said this initiative has won the hearts of Sikh community of the whole world.

In this picture taken on November 6, 2019 Pakistani security officials (R) and Sikh pilgrims walk in front of the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib ahead of its opening, in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur near the Indian border. - Thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected around the world to visit to Pakistan to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev which falls on November 12. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) “This was the Pakistan of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah where the rights and freedom of minorities are ensured”, he said. He said despite false propaganda by Indian media, the banners of Imran Khan and Navjot Singh have been placed in Indian Punjab. Opening of this corridor is a big achievement and nothing else could be a bigger gift for around 120 million members of Sikh community across the world and followers of Baba Guru Nanak.

In this picture taken on November 6, 2019 workers clean the floor at the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib ahead of its opening in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur near the Indian border. - Thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected around the world to visit to Pakistan to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev which falls on November 12. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) Another pilgrim, Balbeer Singh Khushdil said “We are very much thankful to the Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran khan and his government who has given an opportunity to the Sikh community to visit their holy place on the sacred occasion of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary. We reached at the place without any difficulty”.

Pakistan will emerge as a peace-loving country as a result of this initiative and it will also help reduce the mistrust between Pakistan and India, he said. Former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh expressed hope that Pak-India relations will improve enormously as a result of this beginning. It’s a big moment for Sikh community”.

Harvinder Singh Phoolka, a senior advocate of Delhi High Court and politician said “This place is like Makkah for us. We cannot express our happiness and excitement in words. We got permission to visit our holy place without any requirement which is an excellent initiative by Pakistani government for the Sikh community.” The members of Sikh families from United Kingdom and Canada said “We are very much happy over opening of this corridor and it is very good peace gesture and we salute to the Prime Minister Imran Khan for this initiative”.

Kartarpur Corridor inauguration testimony of Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor is the testimony of Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace. “We believe that the road to prosperity of region and bright future of our coming generation lies in peace,” he said in his message on the eve of the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor scheduled on Saturday.

Sikh pilgrims pray as they take part in a ritual procession at a shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) Congratulating the Sikh community on both sides of the border and the world over on the historic day of inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor, the prime minister said the significance of the event for the Sikh community, on 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, could be well understood by the Muslims who knew what it meant to visit the holy places.

Sikh pilgrims have their lunch at a shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) “The inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor is a manifestation of the fact that our hearts are always open for the followers of different religions as enjoined by our great religion and envisioned by our Father of the Nation. Today we are not only opening border but also our hearts for the Sikh community,” he added.

He said the unprecedented gesture of goodwill from the Government of Pakistan was a reflection of its deep respect for Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji and religious sentiments of the Sikh community, who always wanted to have an easy access to the shrine of their spiritual leader and perform their religious obligations. He said Pakistan believed that interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence would provide an opportunity to work for larger interests of the people of the sub-continent. The prime minister also thanked all those who contributed towards the transforming the vision into reality in record time of 10 months only.

70 years on, Sikh holiest site in Kartarpur opens for devotees on Saturday

Under the same sky but from a land divided by several meter high razor-wired double fence, Indian Sikhs for the past 70 years have been viewing from afar 4.5 kilometers Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, that lies in Pakistan. Hundreds of Sikhs everyday make a beeline near the international border in Indian Punjab’s Gurdaspur district to catch a distant glimpse of one of their holiest shrines situated in Pakistan’s Narowal district.

However, now their wait is over. For some it will be a life long cherished dream, about to materialise, as they set foot in their holiest site. On November 9 (Saturday), the first batch of 10,000 pilgrims is set to perform their rituals within the compound of the Gurdwara after seven decades on the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who envisioned a year ago the construction of Kartarpur Corridor between Pakistan and India to facilitate the Sikh community, will inaugurate the much-anticipated overland passage linking the Dera Baba Nana shrine in northwest India’s Gurdaspur with the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. Dubbed as ‘Zero Point’, the Corridor including a bridge stretches for one-kilometer over the Ravi River flowing between the two countries. Pakistan has announced to allow visit of 5,000 pilgrims to the shrine everyday with additional numbers on special occasions, subject to capacity expansion of facilities. As a special gesture, the government also waived off the requirement of passport and 10-day advance intimation for whole year, a move which has not received a warm welcome by India. The stunning white-coloured edifice of Gurdwara Baba Nanak stands tall as a symbol of peace and harmony despite a relation full of discords between the two bordering countries. The inauguration on November 9 coincides with with birthday of the country’s national poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who in his poem ‘Nanak’ written in book Baang-e-Dara, holds the Sikh spiritual leader in high esteem for his monotheist beliefs. Iqbal, in his verses ‘Phir akhir uthi sada Tauheed ki Punjab se – Hind ko ik Mard-e-Kaamil ne jagaya khwaab se’, means that ‘The voice of belief in Oneness of God rises from Punjab as a man with perfect attributes awakens the land of Hind from deep slumber’. The package of facilities has been set in place for the visitors, including a nine-marque village to accommodate the Sikh pilgrims coming from across the world. The regular visitors will be given a one-day pass and they will return the same day. A Langar Khana inside the complex has a capacity to house around 2,500 pilgrims, who will arrive in after biometric registration at counters set up by the Federal Investigation Agency.

The Government of Pakistan had acquired around 800-acre land and handed over the same to the Gurdwara management as a gift. Out of which, 42 acres were allocated for the construction of Gurdwara Complex and 62 acres for the agriculture purpose to meet the needs of the Langar Khana. The Gurdwara has been built in record time of 10 months, with high quality construction along with white marble and imported tiles. The visitors will have a glance of Sikhs history at the museum set up in the vicinity where the photographs of Sikh religious leaders have been put on display. A 12-bed hospital has also been established for any health emergency for the pilgrims. Around 250 cameras will have round-the-clock vigil for foolproof security and effective monitoring of the complex, while 1,500 staffers have been assigned for the facilitation of pilgrims.. Money exchange outlets and souvenir shops have also been set up for the facilitation of visitors. As a monument of love, peace and affinity, Gurdwara Baba Guru Nanak awaits his followers from around the globe to arrive at the soil of Pakistan – also the Dharti of Nanak (land of Nanak). Read the full article

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Why is a 2,500-year-old epic dominating polls in modern India?

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Image caption Many Hindus see the Ramayana’s protagonist, Ram, as a hero

With the Indian general election under way, the Ramayana, a 2,500-year-old Hindu mythological epic, is back in the spotlight. The BBC’s religious affairs reporter Priyanka Pathak explains why.

This year, like in previous elections, the conversation among many hardline Hindus has returned to the epic Ramayana and its protagonist, Ram.

A longstanding demand to construct a temple in the northern city of Ayodhya – a key point of tension between Hindus and Muslims – which Hindus believe is Ram’s birthplace, has become louder in recent months.

Hardline Hindus want the temple built on the same spot where a 16th Century mosque was demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992. They believe the Babri mosque was built after the destruction of a Hindu temple by a Muslim invader.

India’s Ayodhya site: Masses gather as Hindu-Muslim dispute simmers

The governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has promised, once again, to reconstruct the Ram Mandir (temple) in its election manifesto.

Like in previous elections, they hope that this pledge will draw in more Hindu voters. They also organised Hindu religious festivals on a grand scale in the lead-up to the polls.

On 12 April, a large gathering of right-wing organisations was held at the iconic Ram Lila Maidan, a sprawling ground named after the god in the centre of the capital, Delhi, to celebrate “Ram’s birthday”.

People dressed in saffron robes wielded swords as they chanted “Jai Shree Ram”, which translates from the Hindi to “Hail Lord Ram”. They shouted slogans, reiterating their promise to Ram that they would reconstruct the temple.

What is the story of the Ramayana?

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The epic tells the story of Ram, a beloved prince who is unaware of his own divinity

On the eve of his coronation, he is banished from his kingdom for 14 years by his father at the behest of his stepmother

With his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshman, he wanders through India’s forests – until the 10-headed demon king Ravana abducts Sita

Ram then fights and defeats Ravana to rescue Sita after which he establishes a just kingdom

The story of Ram’s pursuit of righteousness has made him a symbol of self-sacrifice and heroism for many Hindus

He is why this epic remains potent and has dominated India’s political discourse

Experts believe that the movement to build the temple, spearheaded by a powerful Hindu nationalist organisation called the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has helped craft some sort of a collective Hindu identity in India.

This idea is something that the RSS, the ideological fountainhead of the BJP, has cultivated since the 19th Century.

However, the movement found its zeitgeist moment only a century later.

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Image caption People in Ahmedabad city sitting along the road and watching a television series on the Ramayana

Several things happened almost concurrently during the late 1980s. First, a television show on the epic reminded 80 million viewers of the story and rekindled a love for its hero.

The serial broadcast a standardised story of the Ramayana, pulled together from many versions and variants. There is no official version of this sprawling epic although historical scholars consider the version by Valmiki, a sage and Sanskrit poet, to be the most authentic.

But really there are as many as 3,000 retellings of the story in around 22 languages, including some that eulogise Ravana while others say it was actually Ram’s brother Lakshman who killed the demon king.

India votes 2019

But what the television show did was give India a single narrative of the Ramayana. It also gave a single religion to a country “that was diverse and plural and included many different ways to be Indian”, says Arshia Sattar, a doctorate in south Asian languages, who has translated Valmiki’s Ramayana from Sanskrit into English.

The second big moment came in the late 1980s, when the Congress party led by Rajiv Gandhi – which has always styled itself as secular – decided to lay the foundation stone of the temple in Ayodhya with the help of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a right-wing outfit, to woo Hindu votes in a close election.

The plan didn’t work – instead, it paved the way for the BJP, still a young party at the time, to seize what they saw as an opportunity to galvanise Hindu voters.

In September 1989, the party’s then president LK Advani launched a nationwide march for the temple. Bricks began to move from around India for the construction of the temple. The campaign was successful in mobilising communal sentiments and set in motion a series of events that would result in the demolition of the mosque. This, in turn, triggered nationwide riots.

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Image caption Hindu activists are demanding the construction of the Ram Temple

But in the next elections, the BJP swept the polls. From that moment forward, the party – which was 12 years old at the time – became a national heavyweight.

It took its place as either the party leading the ruling government alliance or as the leading opposition party. For the BJP, the Ayodhya issue became a way to consolidate Hindu votes – something that used to be fragmented along caste lines.

This now well-known version of the epic, championing Ram, also became a convenient point for other Hindu organisations to rally around. This meant that other versions of the epic began to be stamped out.

For instance, in 2011, a Hindu nationalist student union and other affiliated right-wing groups succeeded in forcing Delhi University to drop an essay by the late poet and Ramayana scholar AK Ramanujan, which questioned how many versions of the epic existed, from its history curriculum.

“This may have been part of the general climate of intolerance and the battle over who had the right to tell the country’s history and its myths that was part of the Indian landscape between the 1980s and the 2000s,” literary critic and author Nilanjana Roy wrote of the incident in her blog in 2011.

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Image caption Ram fights and defeats the ten-headed demon Ravana in the Hindu epic

But for hardline Hindus, the cultural loss of other versions is simply collateral damage.

They believe that a sort of Hindu renaissance can be built around the epic, allowing Hindus to band together and revive their religion as a way of life that they believe was lost and can be re-established.

For instance, in September 2017, the Uttarakhand state minister for alternative medicine, proposed spending $3.6m (POUND) to find Sanjeevani – a mythical, glow-in-the-dark herb, described in the epic as having saved Ram and Lakshman from certain death.

The deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has also suggested that science was so advanced during the time of the Ramayana that Sita was actually a test-tube baby. And the vice chancellor of an Indian university has claimed that Ravana, had a fleet of airplanes.

A series of such examples from Indian politicians and scholars can be seen as an attempt to bolster pride in the mythological epic. But they also evoke a nostalgia for a grand past, reawakening hope for a future that repeats the great feats of distance ancestors.

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