The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 4

Social Media Hanky Panky – It is an unusual subject for me as I am not a not a computer or social media savvy person. These days, it is common that we all get too many unwanted and unnecessary posts, messages, suggestion on social media.  There is media reports everyday of cheating, fraud, crime perpetrated through social media.

The authorities and the other concerned caution and warn us on these matters occasionally. In my case, my children are my conscious keeper and advise me on these matters and I tend to listen to them too. Obviously, we need to be careful.

The other day,  I fell prey to one such instance. I was at the Punjab Press Club at Jalandhar for release of a book. Since I am involved in the socio-cultural life of Jalandhar some of the media functionaries there were my acquaintances. One of them came ahead to say hello to me. I requested him it will be good if he could share the report he would made of the event. He immediately asked for my phone and my Facebook ID. I could not think or say no. He did something and returned the phone. On return from the function, I found that the report on the function was already viral among my Facebook contacts. He posted the report and requested to like the post from my ID. I never did this before. What my contacts may be thinking of this I don’t know but I did not relish the favour done by my media acquaintance. It is also possible that he might have done so without any ulterior motive but I did not like it. The QED of the narration is that never handover your telephone and IDs to others to ward off the untoward ramifications of such actions. Hopefully, my Facebook contacts would read this as I would post this for their benefit.  My children have cautioned me again and I would tend to listen to them.

Interaction at Punjab Press Club Jalandhar – It fell on me to formally launch the book – Bunga Nanaksar: Ravidassia Singhan Da Jujharu Itihas – Revolutionary Role of Ravidassia Sikhs to save and preserve Bunga Nanaksar authored by Roop Lal Roop, an intellectual face of the community at the Punjab Press Club on June 28. This historical book highlighting the sterling contribution of Ravidassia

and Mazhabi Sikhs in the Sikh history is well researched and documented book. Though it confines to Bunga Nanaksar of Talwandi Sabo in the district of Bathinda in Punjab yet some thoughtful comments on the lopsided behavior of spiritual leadership of the Sikhs in integrating the marginalized sections of the society put the things in their right perspective. The book has been sponsored by British Ravidassia Heritage Foundation of the UK headed by Om Parkash Bagha under the agenda of BRHF to promote the mission and philosophy of the great Guru, Guru Ravidass. It was a well arranged solemn function. It was a matter of satisfaction that the vocal and professional media of Jalandhar was present in full strength which resulted in an informative and lively interaction which further resulted in a good and intensive media cover of the event. It helped in eliminating a negative notion that media is not responsive, at least from my somewhat pre-determined aptitude. It was nice to meet Baba Dharam Singh, Chief Sewadar of Bunga Nanaksar and Balbir Rattan, a leading politician of BJP and a dedicated community activist based in Jammu at the function. Meeting good people and be friend them is a bonus which one drives from such events. Thanks Chairman of BRHF, Om Parkash Bagha and author Roop Lal Roop for associating me with the release of the historical book. I am confident the book will be received well by the discerning readers.

Muslim or Islamic Brotherhood – The idea to understand and write about the much flaunted concept of Muslim Brotherhood cropped up during the recent conflict among Israel and USA on one side and Ira on the other. No Muslim country came forward in support of Iran; not even the OIC, an organization of Islamic countries. The global

Muslim population is estimated to be around 2.0 billion, representing approximately 26% of the world's total population, according to Wikipedia. This makes Islam the world's second-largest and fastest-growing major religious grouping.  There are 48 Islamic countries in the world. The OIC has 57 member countries. It is a strange situation because otherwise Muslims all over the globe invoke the concept of Muslim or Islamic brotherhood to fortify and defend their Muslim identity. Sometimes, they tend to take shelter in the umbrella of the concept of International brotherhood to match the Hindu concept of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbkam’ – The World is one family.

A bit of Google research has thrown some light on the concept of Islamic Brotherhood.  It is explained like this. The brotherhood of faith was described by the Prophet Muhammad, as a single body, when one member of the body is sick, the whole body feels the pain. If this concept is really practiced in the life and life of Muslim society, then of courses this, situation will lead to a pleasant state of peace. Islam emphasizes the concept of "Ukhuwah" (brotherhood) among Muslims, viewing them as one family. This concept promotes unity, mutual support, and shared responsibility among all Muslims, regardless of social or economic status. The concept is rooted in Islamic teachings, including the Quran, which emphasizes the brotherhood of believers. The idea of brotherhood aims to foster a sense of unity and solidarity among Muslims worldwide, creating a unified Muslim community (Ummah). 

The ground realities of today’s world are different. The said ‘Islamic or Muslim brotherhood has no meaning. Iran surrounded by Muslim countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and all countries of the Middle East could not find any support in pursuance of the so called ‘Islamic Brotherhood’. Islamic world is divided among Sunnis, Shias, Ahmediyas and other denominations. It has aso been observed that throughout the world Muslims are fighting with Muslims in the sam country and or in other countries. The concept of Islamic brotherhood, I think, requires an in-depth study “The brotherhood of Islam is not the universal brotherhood of man. It is a brotherhood of Muslims for Muslims only”, said Babasaheb Ambedkar long back in his book ‘Thoughts on Pakistan and Partition of India’. The right wing Hindus often quote Ambedkar to downsize the Muslim community as and when needed. But we are to live together in Bharat. I conclude this with a couplet (Rubai) of Akbar Allahabadi -

Ye baat Galat ki Daar-ul-islaam hai Hind

Ye jhuuT ki Mulk-e-'Lachhman'-o-'Raam' hai Hind