Monthly Archives: OCTOBER 2019
550th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF GURU NANAK
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Teachings of Guru Nanak and Khalistan
30.10.19 - Justice Markandey Katju
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The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak is being observed worldwide.
In this connection I was invited by the Sikh community in the Bay Area (Silicon Valley) of California, USA to address them in a gurdwara in Milpitas (which is very near Fremont where I am presently staying).
Many of the Sikhs here had come as refugees (not on visas) following the events in India in the 1980s, and many are strong supporters of Khalistan and Bhindranwaale. Before the function to which I was invited, some Sikhs met me and said that I had put up a fb post and blog some years back critical of Bhindranwaale, and I should delete it. I said I will certainly not delete it, but I will not speak about him in the function.
 At the function, attended by a large number of Sikhs, I said that the spirit of service ( seva bhaavna) which I found in Sikhs I found in no other community in the world. I referred to the recent Bihar floods and mentioned that almost the whole of Patna had become a lake. At that time Sikh youth from various places arrived to help the victims, and I posted on my Facebook page their photos giving relief. In Gurgaon, Sikh youth rescued passengers whose car had gone underwater from drowning.  I also referred to the video which went viral of police sub inspector Gagandeep Singh ( in pic) saving a Muslim youth who was in love with a Hindu girl from being beaten (and perhaps lynched) by a frenzied mob by taking their blows on his own body. I have not seen this spirit in any other community, and this is due to the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, who placed great emphasis on service to fellow humans.
I said you Sikhs want Khalistan, I too want it, but my concept of Khalistan is different from yours. You want a portion of Punjab, where the majority is Sikh, to be given independence and declared Khalistan. I want the whole of India to be declared Khalistan, in the sense that all Indians must learn the spirit of service from our Sikh brothers and sisters, for only then can India progress and prosper. If you leave us, who will be our gurus.  The word 'Sikh' is derived from the Sanskrit word ' shishya' which means disciple. Sikhs are disciples of Guru Nanak, but we Indians want to become your disciples i.e. Sikhs of the Sikhs.
Having praised Sikhs, I then went on to criticise them. I said that Sikhism arose as a revolt against the inhuman caste system, and Guru Nanak taught equality of all humans, but do you practise that? Jat Sikhs, who are the dominant Sikh caste, and are big land holders, look down on dalit (mazhabi) Sikhs, regarding them as inferior, and will not inter marry with them. In the Indian army, the Sikh Regiment has Jat Sikhs, while the Sikh Light Infantry has dalit Sikhs. This indicates that Jat and dalit Sikh soldiers have to kept apart otherwise there will be fights among them, as Jat Sikhs regard dalit Sikhs as inferior. Is this what Guru Nanak has taught you, I asked ?
When I said this, many Sikhs in the audience said what I spoke was not correct, but I said don't tell me lies. You can't bluff me. I am a real Sikh, a real disciple of Guru Nanak, because I regard everyone as equal, whereas you discriminate among yourselves on caste basis, and so you are fake Sikhs.
Now I am an old man of over 73, whereas many of those in the audience were strongly built Sikh youths, yet they could do me no harm, because the truth was on my side. Many even said that we are ashamed but what you said is true. Satya mein badi shakti hoti hai, and that is why it is said ' Satyamev Jayate ' (Truth is ultimately victorious)
Justice Markandey Katju is former Judge, Supreme Court of India and former Chairman, Press Council of India.
Disclaimer : PunjabToday.in and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors' right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabToday.in or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here. _______________________________________________________________ Most shared Punjab Today articles: KYUN KE HUM HAIN HINDUSTANI Three Women of 1984 FROM 1984 TO BARGARI - Hurt & angry, we’ve tried rage, anger. Did we miss karuna? REVISITING 1984 – RIOT AROUND A POLE KARTARPUR SAHIB: A CLARION CALL FOR PEACE IN AN AGE OF CYNICISM If it could happen to Arun Shourie, imagine what could they do to you? Healers & Predators – The Doctor is In, & is very corrupt Amarinder, Badals, AAP — Every party in Punjab is now an Akali Dal Welcome to 1947. Happy Independence Day. Would you like to step out? In Pakistan, a donkey pays for democracy – bleeding, its nostrils ripped apart WOOING THE PANTH: Amarinder a little less Congressy, Akali Dal a little more saffron "Captain Amarinder Singh ji” and "Rahul”: Reading Sign Language In A Relationship The Comrade In Punjab - Lost, Irrelevant, Asleep, Even Bored! WATERS ROYALTY - The Loot that Rajasthan Committed AMARINDER GOVT's LOVE FOR FARMERS, AND MY DAD's FOR HIS SCOOTER OF SUNNY KID & HORSE SENSE: The Punjab-Punjab Ties TRUDEAU VISIT AND RIGHT-WING MEDIA MACHINE OF NIRMAL SINGH'S EYES Mr. CHIEF MINISTER, PLEASE CALL OFF JANUARY 7 FUNCTION MR PRESIDENT, PLEASE TAKE BACK HIS GALLANTRY MEDAL A SAFFRON JOURNEY VIA CANADA BAD, BAD WOMAN! 
_______________________________________________________________ Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged. — Team PT
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Comment
Aarti Tikoo Singh's speech before the US Congress
25.10.19 - Justice Markandey Katju
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The Indian journalist Aarti Tikoo Singh was surely economical of the truth while speaking recently before the US Congress on Human Rights in South Asia. I have read her speech in detail. She has put the entire blame regarding the situation in Kashmir on Pakistan and its agents, and for this she has received fulsome praise and plaudits in India. I regret to have the unenviable task of pouring some cold water on all this bonhomie and hoopla.
A reading of her speech indicates that Aarti believes that
(1) The villain in Kashmir is Pakistan alone and Pakistani inspired terrorism (2) The Kashmiri people are with India, and they wish to remain with India (3) The abrogation of Articles 35A and 370 will benefit Kashmiris.
 Now I agree that for long Pakistan was supporting terrorism in Kashmir. I also condemn what was done to Kashmiri Pandits who were hounded out of the valley. But it is misleading, fallacious and a gross oversimplification to blame Pakistan alone for the present situation in Kashmir.
What Aarti conveniently overlooks is that due to the continuous stupidity of the Indian Governments for decades the situation today is that almost the entire Kashmiri people are totally alienated and bitterly hostile to India. Aarti totally ignored this fact in her speech, and that is why it was disingenuous.
Aarti blames Lashkar-e-Toiba for Shujaat Bukhaari's murder. But what proof does she have that Lashkar-e-Toiba was responsible for the murder? She also blames Jaish-e-Muhammad, again without proof. She has sought to create an impression that but for Pakistan Kashmiris are hunky dory, cozy and gemütlich with India. This is false. The truth is that almost all Kashmiris (except Pandits) hate India. ----------- Arrest of hundreds of Kashmiri leaders have blocked any space for democratic dissent. Will this not drive more Kashmiris to militancy? ---------- As regards abrogation of Articles 35A and 370, Aarti praises it. However, my own opinion is that it was a gimmick (like Yoga Day, building Ram Mandir, cow protection, Swatchata Abhiyan, etc) by a beleaguered govt to divert attention from the terrible economic crisis looming before India, which the government has no idea how to solve.  To say that now businessmen will buy land in Kashmir and set up factories there thus providing employment to Kashmiris is silly. Businessmen are not fools, and will never set up factories in a disturbed area where bullets may be flying around.
Aarti was utterly mendacious when she said that abrogation of Article 370 "would provide Kashmiris with equal protection under the law, and all the rights other Indian citizens enjoy, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religion or social class. It would give Kashmiris access to educational and economic opportunities". Here she is clearly toeing the Govt of India line.
Aarti no doubt refers to the inconvenience caused by the restrictions imposed in Kashmir after 5th August when Article 370 was abrogated, but let me ask her: will she not feel miserable if deprived of mobile and Internet facilities for even one day? Internet and mobile are not luxuries but necessities today. After 72 days post paid mobile service was restored, but Internet is banned even today in Kashmir. Curfews are still in force in many parts of Kashmir.
 Many forms can be filled in online sitting at home, but now Kashmiris have often to go 20 kms or more for doing so. Same with air and train reservations. Emails can be sent by Internet, but not if the facility is unavailable.
These restrictions, apart from curfews etc have made lives miserable for Kashmiris. Arrest of hundreds of Kashmiri leaders have blocked any space for democratic dissent. Will this not drive more Kashmiris to militancy ?
I regret to say that Aarti Tikoo Singh has acted more as an agent of the Govt of India rather than as an objective, neutral and fair journalist in her address to the US Congress. 
Justice Markandey Katju is former Judge, Supreme Court of India and former Chairman, Press Council of India. ------------------- Also watch: A Kashmiri Pandit expert Dr Nitasha Kaul, giving testimony before US Congress committee about human rights violations in Kashmir.
Disclaimer : PunjabToday.in and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors' right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabToday.in or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here. _______________________________________________________________ Most shared Punjab Today articles: KYUN KE HUM HAIN HINDUSTANI Three Women of 1984 FROM 1984 TO BARGARI - Hurt & angry, we’ve tried rage, anger. Did we miss karuna? REVISITING 1984 – RIOT AROUND A POLE KARTARPUR SAHIB: A CLARION CALL FOR PEACE IN AN AGE OF CYNICISM If it could happen to Arun Shourie, imagine what could they do to you? Healers & Predators – The Doctor is In, & is very corrupt Amarinder, Badals, AAP — Every party in Punjab is now an Akali Dal Welcome to 1947. Happy Independence Day. Would you like to step out? In Pakistan, a donkey pays for democracy – bleeding, its nostrils ripped apart WOOING THE PANTH: Amarinder a little less Congressy, Akali Dal a little more saffron "Captain Amarinder Singh ji” and "Rahul”: Reading Sign Language In A Relationship The Comrade In Punjab - Lost, Irrelevant, Asleep, Even Bored! WATERS ROYALTY - The Loot that Rajasthan Committed AMARINDER GOVT's LOVE FOR FARMERS, AND MY DAD's FOR HIS SCOOTER OF SUNNY KID & HORSE SENSE: The Punjab-Punjab Ties TRUDEAU VISIT AND RIGHT-WING MEDIA MACHINE OF NIRMAL SINGH'S EYES Mr. CHIEF MINISTER, PLEASE CALL OFF JANUARY 7 FUNCTION MR PRESIDENT, PLEASE TAKE BACK HIS GALLANTRY MEDAL A SAFFRON JOURNEY VIA CANADA BAD, BAD WOMAN! 
_______________________________________________________________ Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged. — Team PT
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Comment
POLITICAL SLUGFEST OVER 550th PARKASH PURB
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Is the history of 1999 repeating itself?
History does have a habit of repeating itself. And the slanging match between Punjab government and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) regarding the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak does take us back to 1999, when the one-upmanship game played during tercentenary of foundation of Khalsa ruined the celebrations. The tercentenary celebrations were remembered more for the political slugfest, extending its shadow on important Sikh institutions, which has left behind an impression so strong that even time is unable to heal.
Now, the question that is creating a ripple in the Sikh community: Will the fighting reach the levels of bitterness of what was witnessed in 1999 or will sanity prevail?
 At that time, appeals and pleas that political issues be thrashed out later were just trashed and people witnessed new levels of unbridled political interference in the SGPC affairs and the working of Akal Takht. Not surprisingly, against the backdrop of such developments, 1999 became a turning point in the erosion of the authority of Akal Takht.
"Ironically, the tercentenary of Khalsa foundation became the occasion for worst kind of political interference in Sikh institutions, especially in the working of Akal Takht and SGPC. The downslide triggered then is yet to be arrested. The current controversy and related happenings should be seen in continuation of what happened in 1999,” says author Gurbachan Singh, who witnessed happenings of 1999 from close quarters.
However, SAD secretary and spokesperson, Daljit Singh, argues, "It is a matter of record that Punjab government will prepare the stage for celebrations, but it was always conducted by SGPC and, in 1999 also SGPC conducted the stage even as Badal government had made all the arrangements.”
TRIGGER AT TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF 1999
It was a statement by then SGPC president, late Gurcharan Singh Tohra, in second week of December 1998 which triggered (or was used as a trigger for) the political slugfest. Tohra advised then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who was also president of SAD, to appoint a working president, as he was not getting enough time to attend to party activities. He cited SAD losing Adampur byelection and said party needed more time.
 This statement from Tohra came when tension between him and Badal was already brewing — Tohra had earlier said days of unconditional support to BJP were over as BJP-led NDA government had ditched Akali Dal on a couple of very important issues. Badal had reportedly taken umbrage to this. After Tohra’s statement, all hell broke loose and a campaign was started against him and the much junior leaders were made to issue statements against the Akali stalwart. Ironically, years later the same set of leaders welcomed appointment of Sukhbir Singh Badal as acting president in March 2007, just after Badal senior formed his fourth government.
----------- The political angst that is casting a huge shadow on the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak is nothing new to Sikhs. In 1999, too, the squabble between politicians ruined the Tercentenary celebrations of the foundation of Khalsa. -----------
AKAL TAKHT INTERVENED, JATHEDAR SACKED
 Now, Akali Dal leaders, including party president Sukhhbir are saying that Akal Takht is supreme and every word of the Takht jathedar is final for them. They are accusing Congress, especially chief minister (CM) Amarinder Singh, of attempting to erode the authority of Akal Takht. On his part, CM has already written a letter to Akal Takht jathedar offering to hold the function at Sultanpur Lodhi on November 12 under the patronage of Akal Takht and with the support of the SGPC. However, 20 years ago, Akal Takht jathedar was even removed when he intervened asking the warring sides to postpone their contentious issues till the tercentenary functions.
 As fight between Badal and Tohra intensified, Badal while speaking at Fatehgarh Sahib in the last week of December, claimed that SGPC was a wing of SAD. As things appeared spiralling out of control, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), prominent Sikhs and Sikh organisations appealed to the Akal Takht to intervene following which then Akal Takht jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh and four other high priests issued a directive on December 31, 1998, that both the groups of Akali Dal should not attack each other till April 14, 1999, and disciplinary committee of SAD should open Tohra’s answer to its show cause notice only on April 15, 1999 (when all the celebrations would have concluded).
Then SGPC secretary Kulwant Singh Randhawa, who sided with Badal camp and advised then CM and his camp on crucial issues during this fight, later disclosed the inside accounts of these happenings in his book, ‘June 84, Shiromanni Committee noon grehan’ (June 84 When SGPC Was Eclipsed).
He has made several allegations in his book about how CM and his key men were orchestrating the happenings in SGPC, how meetings took place at CM house and how 10 executive members of SGPC, who were Badal’s loyalists, would follow the script prepared at CM house.
He also alleged in his book that the new appointments in Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission and other important decisions regarding the issue as well as strategies for legal and political fights were discussed at CM’s house. Randhawa also discussed in his book how SGPC members reported at CM’s house after replacing the Akal Takht jathedar and how corrections were made in the record of the proceedings of SGPC executive.
ALL RIGHTS WERE GIVEN TO CHIEF MINISTER
 Amid this bitterness, Badal called a meeting of SAD office bearers, MLAs and SGPC members at Anandpur Sahib on January 7, 1999, where rights to form sub-committees for the smooth organisation of the tercentenary celebrations were given to Badal. Later, when the 10-member SGPC executive passed a resolution on February 10, 1999, to remove Akal Takht jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh from the post, they recorded this resolution, mentioning "on January 7 meeting SAD’s political affairs committee, working committee, MPs, MLAs, district presidents, SGPC members and office bearers had unanimously decided to give responsibility of planning and executing these tercentenary celebrations to SAD president Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC executive ratifies that decision and gives its approval.”
NEW JATHEDAR ANNOUNCED FROM CIRCUIT HOUSE
Randhawa’s book also details how Akali ministers, camping at circuit house in Amritsar, were handling the operations on ground for removal of the Akal Takht jathedar on February 10, 1999, by the SGPC executive, which held its meeting at Guru Nanak Niwas. They were also involved in the appointment of new jathedar as well as other high priests, according to the book.  The appointment of Giani Pooran Singh as new jathedar of Akal Takht was announced by SGPC executive members in the evening of February 10 while sitting at circuit house. For the first time in history, appointment of jathedar was announced by the SGPC from a sarkari place. Earlier, on January 10, Badal faction paraded 115 members of SGPC before media at the same circuit house.
"I recorded these for two reasons – that truth should come out and that community should learn lessons. However, little has changed and narrow political considerations continue to take precedence over everything else,” says Kulwant Singh Randhawa while speaking to TOI. "The accounts I have disclosed have never been challenged,” he says.
SGPC FAXES JATHEDAR FROM CM’S HOUSE
On January 17, 1999, a letter signed by 131 members of SGPC to Akal Takht jathedar was faxed from CM’s house and later when Takht jathedar on January 25 sought clarification from SGPC members about this letter he specifically mentioned that the letter was received from the fax number of CM’s house. ‘NOW, THEY ARE CRYING HOARSE?’
 "It could not be more ironical that Sikh principles and traditions were dumped on the tercentenary of Khalsa foundation. Badal senior set new precedents of political interference in Akal Takht and SGPC and he controlled the celebrations in 1999. But now his party is crying hoarse when Punjab government is organising anniversary celebrations for Guru Nanakji,” says former Akal Takht jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh. Singh, after he was removed from his post, held a parallel function at Anandpur Sahib, which got huge response. *IP Singh is Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Jalandhar. This article first appeared in timesofindia.indiatimes.com and is being reproduced here courtesy TOI.
Disclaimer : PunjabToday.in and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors' right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabToday.in or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here. _______________________________________________________________ Most shared Punjab Today articles: KYUN KE HUM HAIN HINDUSTANI Three Women of 1984 FROM 1984 TO BARGARI - Hurt & angry, we’ve tried rage, anger. Did we miss karuna? REVISITING 1984 – RIOT AROUND A POLE KARTARPUR SAHIB: A CLARION CALL FOR PEACE IN AN AGE OF CYNICISM If it could happen to Arun Shourie, imagine what could they do to you? Healers & Predators – The Doctor is In, & is very corrupt Amarinder, Badals, AAP — Every party in Punjab is now an Akali Dal Welcome to 1947. Happy Independence Day. Would you like to step out? In Pakistan, a donkey pays for democracy – bleeding, its nostrils ripped apart WOOING THE PANTH: Amarinder a little less Congressy, Akali Dal a little more saffron "Captain Amarinder Singh ji” and "Rahul”: Reading Sign Language In A Relationship The Comrade In Punjab - Lost, Irrelevant, Asleep, Even Bored! WATERS ROYALTY - The Loot that Rajasthan Committed AMARINDER GOVT's LOVE FOR FARMERS, AND MY DAD's FOR HIS SCOOTER OF SUNNY KID & HORSE SENSE: The Punjab-Punjab Ties TRUDEAU VISIT AND RIGHT-WING MEDIA MACHINE OF NIRMAL SINGH'S EYES Mr. CHIEF MINISTER, PLEASE CALL OFF JANUARY 7 FUNCTION MR PRESIDENT, PLEASE TAKE BACK HIS GALLANTRY MEDAL A SAFFRON JOURNEY VIA CANADA BAD, BAD WOMAN! 
_______________________________________________________________ Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged. — Team PT
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Comment
'Gau Mata' and the beef issue
17.10.19 - Justice Markandey Katju
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I was really not inclined to discuss this issue again. I was not so inclined because I have already spoken and written a lot on it, and am now fed up trying to educate asinine blockheads who unfortunately are the vast majority in India, and who believe that a cow is 'Gau Mata' when even a little common sense can tell us that an animal cannot be the mother of a human being. A cow cannot be venerated as a mother just because it gives us milk to drink, otherwise we must also venerate goats, buffaloes, camels, yaks, deer etc because humans drink their milk too.
 Eating beef cannot be regarded wicked, otherwise we will have to regard over 90% of the world's population (Americans, Europeans, Africans, Arabs, Chinese, Russians, Turks, Afghans, Pakistanis, Thais, and even some of our own countrymen like Keralites, Bengalis, Goans, North Easterners etc) who eat beef as wicked. So are 90% of the people in the world wicked and we Hindus alone sadhu sants?
I have said this several times earlier in writings and speeches, but I have now been instigated to write again on this topic after reading an article by Dilip Mandal in the print.in titled 'From Constituent Assembly to Azam Khan, Indian Muslims have supported cow slaughter ban'. This article in a subtle way insinuates that to stop communal hatred and have communal harmony in India cow slaughter should be totally banned all over India, at least that is the demand of Indian Muslims.
I am totally against ban on cow slaughter, and in fact want laws against cow slaughter, which are in force in most Indian states, to be repealed, and everyone who wants to eat beef (including me) should be free to do so. In my opinion laws banning cow slaughter are laws revealing a feudal mindset, and it is this feudal mindset among Indians which has to be destroyed if India is to progress. ----------- I am a totally scientific person, and though born a Brahmin (surely that is not my fault) eat beef. I regard a cow as just another animal, like a horse or a dog. ----------- The feudal economy in India was largely destroyed after Independence in 1947 by the zamindari abolition laws enacted in almost all Indian states. However, the feudal mindset continues in most Indians, as is evident from the rampant casteism and communalism prevalent everywhere.  The ban on cow slaughter is part of this feudal mindset. So supporting this ban is supporting feudalism and backwardness, which are the main enemies of India today. To my mind therefore whoever supports ban on cow slaughter and eating beef is unwittingly harming India.
In his article Dilip Mandal says that in the Constituent Assembly 2 Muslims supported ban on cow slaughter, and many orthodox Hindu members supported the ban on two grounds: First, India has a predominantly agricultural economy, and to grow more food we must protect cows as they give manure which is used as a fertilizer, and bullocks are needed to till the fields. Second, to respect the feelings of the majority Hindu community, and maintain good relations between Hindus and Muslims.
 But these grounds are specious. As regards the first, this is the age of chemical fertilisers, not cow dung, and fields are now tilled by tractors, not bullocks.
And as regards the second, the reply to those who say that cow veneration is part of Hindu culture is that there is a lot of rubbish in Hindu culture too e.g. caste system and looking down on dalits. Should that be continued too? No, we must not blindly continue everything in Hindu culture. We must sift the good from the bad, and continue only that part of our culture which is rational and useful to us and contributes to our progress.
To think that ban on cow slaughter will put an end to communalism in India is silly and ignores realities. Communalism will be stoked up by vested interests for getting votes, ban or no ban.  Has communalism ended in states where it is banned? Ikhlaq, Pehlu Khan, Tabrez, etc were lynched in states where cow slaughter is banned.
I am a totally scientific person, and though born a Brahmin (surely that is not my fault) eat beef. I regard a cow as just another animal, like a horse or a dog. We make ourselves a laughing stock before the whole world by calling a cow 'Gomata' and worshipping it. Justice Markandey Katju is former Judge, Supreme Court of India and former Chairman, Press Council of India. Disclaimer : PunjabToday.in and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors' right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabToday.in or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here. _______________________________________________________________ Most shared Punjab Today articles: KYUN KE HUM HAIN HINDUSTANI Three Women of 1984 FROM 1984 TO BARGARI - Hurt & angry, we’ve tried rage, anger. Did we miss karuna? REVISITING 1984 – RIOT AROUND A POLE KARTARPUR SAHIB: A CLARION CALL FOR PEACE IN AN AGE OF CYNICISM If it could happen to Arun Shourie, imagine what could they do to you? Healers & Predators – The Doctor is In, & is very corrupt Amarinder, Badals, AAP — Every party in Punjab is now an Akali Dal Welcome to 1947. Happy Independence Day. Would you like to step out? In Pakistan, a donkey pays for democracy – bleeding, its nostrils ripped apart WOOING THE PANTH: Amarinder a little less Congressy, Akali Dal a little more saffron "Captain Amarinder Singh ji” and "Rahul”: Reading Sign Language In A Relationship The Comrade In Punjab - Lost, Irrelevant, Asleep, Even Bored! WATERS ROYALTY - The Loot that Rajasthan Committed AMARINDER GOVT's LOVE FOR FARMERS, AND MY DAD's FOR HIS SCOOTER OF SUNNY KID & HORSE SENSE: The Punjab-Punjab Ties TRUDEAU VISIT AND RIGHT-WING MEDIA MACHINE OF NIRMAL SINGH'S EYES Mr. CHIEF MINISTER, PLEASE CALL OFF JANUARY 7 FUNCTION MR PRESIDENT, PLEASE TAKE BACK HIS GALLANTRY MEDAL A SAFFRON JOURNEY VIA CANADA BAD, BAD WOMAN! 
_______________________________________________________________ Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged. — Team PT
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Comment
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Dhan Guru Nanak