Rise Against Political Goondaism in the Name of Religions and Morals!

See this shocking picture, from the cover of Pune Mirror dated 15 Feb 2009. A young girl has to 'apologise' to goondas from a political outfit just for being with friends on Valentine's Day. On the same day, a brother-sister pair in Ujjain was beaten by similar political goondas who assumed they were lovers.

Fellow Indians - beware, THIS IS EXACTLY HOW THE TALIBAN STARTED. Goondas start to enjoy the power, and they can keep causing more and more trouble.

They say that they are protecting 'Indian culture' - but insult our culture by beating up people, even girls! They claim to be speakers for a religion, but are not connected in any way with our religion, which stands for enlightenment and tolerance. Simple, law abiding citizens of India feel helpless and threatened. Politicians claim that they are worried about our 'morals', even though they indulge in corruption, kidnapping, even murder.

But we do have a very important weapon to fight them with. 2009 is the year of the general election. Make sure that you do vote. But before that, take this pledge.

I will not vote for any party that indulges in violence and harasses common people, in the name of religions or morals.

Let us spread this message to as many people as possible, we have about 2 months more. Let us send a message to the politicians that lakhs of people across India have decided not to vote for them, if they indulge in such misplaced moral policing.

Add your name to the list in the comments box for this post and voice your strength as the citizen of a democratic country.

Mashaal Kicks Off Anti Moral Police Campaign in Pune

On the occasion of Valentine's Day, a group of citizens organized an 'Anti Moral Policing' meeting in Pune, and kicked off a nationwide year long program.
Mashaal spearheaded the launch of this movement, as citizens who are incensed over the Mangalore pub attack and threats to Valentine's celebration feel strongly that they need to do something.
Young people expressed their fear of being attacked when going out with friends, or celebrating Valentines. They also emphasized that the growing attacks are not representative of Indian culture or any religious beliefs. They felt that political goondas were misusing religion and culture to simply bully innocent Indian citizens.
Mashaal has decided to combat this growing menace and hooliganism through a series of measures:

• Discussions with young people and students, focused on - the vision of India, communal harmony, Indian culture, personal freedom, and moral policing.
• Finding ways to tackle the bullying by the moral police by inviting ideas from young people all over India.
• Encouraging citizens to fight the cultural and moral police through non violent methods and idealogical debates.

We will be announcing a set of measure soon, the target is that Valentine's Day 2010 should be celebrated 'fearlessly' by people across India. Do send in your ideas and thoughts in the comments box here.

Stop Talibanisation of India

This is important and urgent. All the citizens of India must unite and prevent Taliban like forces from taking over this country. This morning the papers report that a teenage girl in a village near Mangalore committed suicide after being humiliated by Hindu right wingers for having a muslim friend.
Many political parties and general hooligans seem to have got together and hijacked the Hindu label. They are far removed from the Hindu religion, which stands for enlightenment and tolerance, and which is respected for its philosophy all over the world.
In recent months, this 'saffron brigade' has tortured Christians in Orissa and other states, bombed Muslims in Malegaon, beaten women in Mangalore and is now threatening various kinds of action against anyone seen celebrating Valentine's Day tomorrow.
Recent actions in Orissa, Mangalore and the Valentine's Day threat shows that citizens of India cannot exercise their personal choice over religion and even relationships any more.
We need to stop this. Let us start plannning protests all over the country. Start by leaving your comments in this blog and let us make this a citizen's movement.