Category Archives: Politics

The fight for the proselyte

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I snapped this billboard on MG Road in Bangalore last month. The celebrity televangelist is so quintessentially capitalist cheese, so ’80s camp, so late-night TV that the ad seemed utterly incongruous. ‘This town has gone completely Amrika-crazy,’ I mused.

Since the guy has brown skin, it never even occurred to me that he might not be desi. Turns out it’s the American evangelist Benny Hinn (no relation to Benny Hill), he of whom bloggeth Abhi yesterday. Hinn is a Christian Arab Israeli from Florida. There will be a pop quiz on that in 30 minutes.

Hinn kicked off his prayer meeting at an airfield outside Bangalore today. The airfield resounded with the usual miracle healings, but violent protests against the convention flooded central Bangalore with torched buses and tear gas.

I’ve seen it all before, this bubble. It’s a land grab for souls and page views, folks, and India’s perceived as a wide-open market. It’s one of the largest and most passionate markets for religion in the world, so Hinn’s hungama is nothing but a trade visit, really. American churches already outsource prayers to Kerala. And for false miracles, every American charlatan put together couldn’t hold a candle to Indian holy men. Check out Gita Mehta’s brilliant Karma Cola:

Gita Mehta details the extent of the hippie infatuation with South Asia in her classic book… Westerners seek instant salvation; Easterners the quick rupee. Gurus could pack entire astrodomes in the ’60s, levitation was believed to signal salvation, and Western disciples believed above all else in moksha through easy sex and hard drugs. At one point there were over 100,000 hippies trekking all over South Asia searching for enlightenment in woolly-minded religious platitudes and a variety of uppers and downers.

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USINPAC Hosts a Presidential Inauguration Reception

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The US-India Public Action Committee (USINPAC) followed yesterday’s inauguration with a little reception for members of Congress that it hopes to woo toward it’s policy beliefs. How’d it go?

Newly elected Congressman Bobby Jindal (R-LA) (who, as an aside, met recently with Rumsfeld) observed, “USINPAC is a very important bridge between the US Congress and the Indian-American community. Their work on and access to the hill has had an impact on several issues that are important to the community. I look forward to working with USINPAC.”

Art Estopinan, Chief of Staff of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), the newly elected Republican Co-Chair of the House Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, remarked “Indian-Americans have embraced the American political system and show increasing voting power and government participation, demonstrating a magnanimous affinity for public service. Such efforts cannot be overlooked.” In a letter written specially to USINPAC and its members, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen said, “I would like to thank you and commend you for your efforts. Your organization recognizes the flourishing relationship bonding our nations together. Through our united efforts, India and America can present an inspiring example of freedom and prosperity to the world, a guiding light that I feel privileged to be a part of.”

Katherine Harris (R-FL) noted, “Thank you USINPAC on performing a very important function. The Indian-American Community will benefit greatly by your work.”

Katherine Harris? I confess, the name still makes me shudder. A full description of USINPAC’s position on various issues can be found here.

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Hardline Hindu’s don’t seem to like Christian Evangelists

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As long as we are talking about biscuits and conversion, I thought I’d point out this story by the BBC on what happens when non-biscuit based conversion is proposed:

Hardline Hindu activists in southern India have protested against the visit of American TV evangelist Benny Hinn. Some businesses in Bangalore were also shut in response to a strike call by the activists against Mr Hinn’s three-day visit to the city.

Mr Hinn is one of America’s most famous evangelists and has his own daily television show, This Is Your Day.

He is expected to hold well-attended prayer meetings on the outskirts of Bangalore on Friday.

The BBC’s Sunil Raman says there have been a few incidents of stone throwing, damage to public property and attempts to stop traffic by protestors.

Banners and posters saying “Benny Hinn Go Back” have also been put up in Bangalore, hub of India’s software industry in Karnataka state.

The BJP apparently doesn’t approve of Hinn. Who would have guessed?

Bangalore-based Hindu organisations, including a main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, say that Mr Hinn would use these meetings to convert Hindus to Christianity.

Organisers deny such allegations.

Dr Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, said this was not the first time Mr Hinn was in India.

If biscuits are passed out, all hell is going to break loose. Continue reading →

For gallantry in action

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Lt. Neil Prakash was just awarded a Silver Star for leading his platoon through a horrific explosive gauntlet to victory against 60 Iraqi rebels.

Well done, soldier.

It took the crew about one hour to fight their way through the next one kilometer stretch of road. Official battle reports count 23 IEDs and 20-25 RPG teams in that short distance, as well as multiple machine-gun nests, and enemy dismounts armed with small arms and hand grenades.

… enemy dismounts were attempting to throw hand grenades into the tank’s open hatches… Prakash’s tank took the brunt of the attack, sustaining blasts from multiple IEDs and at least seven standard and armor piercing RPGs… One round blew the navigation system completely off of the vehicle, while another well-aimed blast disabled his turret…

By battle’s end, the platoon was responsible for 25 confirmed destroyed enemy and an estimated 50 to 60 additional destroyed enemy personnel. Prakash was personally credited with the destruction of eight enemy strong-points, one enemy re-supply vehicle, and multiple enemy dismounts…

“He’s a pleasure to command because he doesn’t require very much direction. He uses his own judgment and he’s simply an outstanding young lieutenant…” Although born in India and maintaining strong ties to the Indian community, Prakash was raised in Syracuse, New York, in what he called a very patriotic American household.

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Biscuits for Jesus

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Some missionaries have apparently been demanding conversion in exchange for tsunami aid (via Angry Asian Man):

Rage and fury has gripped this tsunami-hit tiny Hindu village [Samanthapettai] in India’s southern Tamil Nadu after a group of Christian missionaries allegedly refused them aid for not agreeing to follow their religion… Jubilant at seeing the relief trucks loaded with food, clothes and the much-needed medicines the villagers, many of who have not had a square meal in days, were shocked when the nuns asked them to convert before distributing biscuits and water.

It’s the missionaries’ right to distribute aid as they wish, but still, this seems mighty pinch-hearted. In contrast, Muslims have been aiding Dalits when some upper-caste Hindus have not:

Jamaath, a Muslim organisation… been running four relief camps in… Cuddalore district. The overwhelming majority of the victims are non-Muslims but that has not prevented the Jamaath from giving them three meals a day for over three days. Considering there are an estimated 40,000 people in these camps, that’s quite an achievement.

A Primer: The India Caucus

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I had intended to write this entry at the beginning of the 109th Congress but it becomes particularly relevant in light of the reported cease-fire violation on the Indian/Pakistani border. Who are the new co-chairs of the India Caucus in Congress, and what will their priorities be? The IACFPA profiled Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Gary Ackerman (D-NY) late last year:

This will be Ackerman’s second stint at the Caucus where he served earlier between 1998 and 2000, leaving an unbeaten legacy including earlier this year when he introduced legislation requiring the CIA director to report to Congress on Pakistani proliferation activities. The measure was adopted by the full House as an amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Act. Now he expects to handle the newest White House decision to sell high tech military goodies to Islamabad.

On the other hand, less is known of initiatives, if any, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen might have taken vis-à-vis India, other than some letters castigating that country for violating the rights of its religious minorities. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen who is on the House International Relations Committee where she Chairs the Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia, and on the House Government Reform Committee where she is on the Human Rights and Wellness Subcommittee, chaired by none other than old India-foe Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana.

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Bush’s poll numbers soar

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Huh? Surely I jest. The latest poll numbers in the U.S. do not back up such a claim. I am referring to Bush’s poll numbers in India however. From the BBC:

India is one of just three countries which thinks the world is safer with George W Bush back in the White House, according to a BBC World Service poll.

The survey found that 62% of Indians thought his re-election as US president was positive for global security.

The BBC’s Nick Bryant says the poll was carried out in big Indian cities where US trade benefits may have counted.

On average, 58% of respondents in 21 countries believed another Bush term made the world a more dangerous place.

Well, I guess it’s good to be, err…different than most, but what’s the logic? Pretty obvious actually:

Our correspondent says Mr Bush’s popularity in India seems to be borne primarily of economic necessity.

People were questioned in Mumbai (Bombay), Calcutta, Delhi and Madras (Chennai) – four powerhouses of India’s fast-expanding economy.

Our correspondent says that with a growth rate of well over 6%, many Indians simply believe that the Bush administration is good for business, and that its strong desire to forge closer trade ties is a key component of India’s stunning economic success.

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Indian PM tongue-tied over tongue-twiddling

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Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh was stumped by a question about gay marriage yesterday (via India Uncut):

What is your view on same-sex marriages? Manmohan Singh seemed at a loss for words. “I am sorry, I don’t understand your question,” he told the [CBC] journalist… she elaborated. A Sikh religious head has issued an edict against Ottawa’s decision to allow marriages between people from the same sex. Singh again took a minute or so, perhaps to hide his embarrassment…  “I don’t think such a thing will have wide acceptance in our country,” the Prime Minister replied.

No same-sex, please, we’re Sikhs. Canada’s Sikh MPs are divided on gay marriage more or less along party lines. But the religious guardians in Amritsar were clear: they would snub PM Paul Martin over his pro-gay marriage bill if he tried to pay his respects at Harimandir Sahib (via Amardeep Singh).

Martin toured tsunami-stricken areas instead and remanded the former premier of British Columbia, Ujjal Dosanjh, to Amritsar to apologize for the change in plan. Their excuse for the preemptive counter-snub?

“… if Guru Nanak had been consulted — Guru Nanak who was the founder of the Sikh religion — Guru Nanak would have said that the Prime Minister should go to Phuket and to Sri Lanka.”

Oh, that is smooth. Claim better divine guidance than the clerics — Hitch has nothing on Dosanjh.

Bridal Beer

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I usually don’t post refs to other blogs until they’ve been around for a while and generated a good body of consistently high quality material. But the premise behind this blog is just too interesting for Sepia Mutiny to ignore –

When I was a child, I imagined death as being a collective experience. As the lion roared for one last time and the monsoon clouds ripped their chests for the last July shower, we would suddenly drop to the ground, hands extended, toungues out. Dead. As a young adult, death seems too trivial an encounter. What casts shadows of fear is life. Especially if you are on the verge of an impending engagement with a guy you don’t particularly want to kiss-and never have. (Assuming you are a woman. Or a man.) He was “26 yrs computer professional, Brahmin, 5′ 10”, Ivy-educated looking for family values working girl bride of reputed North Indian family, no dowry, willing to settle in US”. Soon he will father my children and be the financer of my groceries. We will share toothpaste and possibly memories. In an arranged marriage, the premise is that you kiss a frog on the first night(and for the first time)- to convert him into a notional prince. Which reminds me of a video about illegal activities between a woman and two frogs. Can I bring my ex-boyfriend’s porn collection as dowry? I stole them when we broke up and I’m too sentimental to E-bay away those romantic Tuesday nights.

Follow BridalBeer as she navigates from the ex-boyfriend in NYC into an arranged marriage in India. Continue reading →

Punjabi in political Pizzagate

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The Canadian immigration minister resigned yesterday, accused of offering asylum to a desi pizzeria owner in exchange for feeding her campaign staff. Harjit Singh of Toronto, a devout Mennonite convert, is also an alleged credit card forger subject to deportation. He says the minister, Judy Sgro, approached him for free food for her campaign volunteers last year in exchange for blocking his deportation, then reversed herself when word leaked out. Sgro denies all.

As scandals go, anchovies-for-asylum is so very… Canadian. No worries, we’ve got your back. Sgro was also accused of fast-tracking a Romanian stripper’s visa. Canadian women aren’t flocking to high-paying pole positions any more, so an exotic dancer visa is now an automatic ticket into Canada.

So while we’re bringing over Romanian quants for Wall Street, Canada’s importing Romanian strippers for Queen Street. Gee, I just noticed I bleed maple red 😉