[Assam] AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF ASSAM
Chan Mahanta
cmahanta at charter.net
Wed Aug 15 06:10:06 PDT 2007
Ram,
Your response here , unfortunately, smacks of the immensely
uncreative and unimaginative but argumentative one. It fits right in
the mold of the Indian govt. policies spanning decades, uncreative,
unproductive, stuck in the muck of their own creations.
You have no goal here, nothing to aim for, quarreling for the sake of
quarreling; very similar to what some of these journalists have been
doing. So I can understand your empathy for the targets of my
criticism.
Could you tell us what is wrong or bad in my suggestions? NO.
Could you present a better alternative? None!
And could you explain the contradiction in the claim about
> "------During last couple of elections Assam has witnessed at
> >least 65% or more vote casting. This essentially
>means that at least 65% of Assam's people believe in
>Indian Constitution.
that Krishnendu posted, echoing your and others' claims of elections
as a proof of Assam voters' issue awareness or informed expression
of preferences as it relates to the B'deshi immigration issue and
the GoI/GoA's non-acknowledgement and inaction over it, while that
segment of the Assam press that cries hoarse over it and whom you
are attempting to shield from criticisms here ?
I will let netters decide that.
c-da
At 10:27 PM -0600 8/14/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>C'da,
>
>I think I will respond to this post. It kinda explains what exactly
>you meant. Moreover, I am having a difficulty in keeping track of
>who said what, and all the cut & paste:)
>
>So here goes,
>>I will stop at this post.
>I agree, we seem to be rehashing everything:)
>
> >Assam journalists have been crying endlessly about a number of
>>issues, like ULFA, B'deshis, corruption and the like.
>
>Well, that is obviously what they seem to be interested in.
>
> >However they have utterly failed in their journalistic duties in
>investigating, >analyzing and educating the public about the causes
>of these problems
>
>Who sets these standards of journalism? If they followed your advice
>and found the GOI/GOA the main reason for all the violence, would
>that make it better?
> >Nor have they offered any achievable and sustainable
>>solutions to what they cry about, that I am aware of.
>
>Actually, I have read numerous times the Sentinel/AT calling for
>peace talks etc. Now, whether they are deemed achievable or
>sustainable is really in the eye of the beholder.
>I really don't see anybody being able to convince anyone. Basically,
>no one sees eye to eye.
>
> >Nor does symbolic flag-waving, appeals to the people and so forth.
>All that does is >promote or publicize their own piety, something
>that does not in any way help
>>Assam in its woes.
>
>True, but who has been doing this? I can guess, but then, I would
>have to come up with proof - which I can't pin down at the moment:)
>--Ram
>
>__________________
>
>
>On 8/14/07, Chan Mahanta
><<mailto:cmahanta at charter.net>cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>Just so this discussion does not relapse into the same old repetition
>of your or my positions, I will stop at this post.
>
>The point is not about MY views or Thakuria's or DN Bezbaruah's.
>Assam journalists have been crying endlessly about a number of
>issues, like ULFA, B'deshis, corruption and the like. However they
>have utterly failed in their journalistic duties in investigating,
>analyzing and educating the public about the causes of these problems
>or how they can be resolved and how the people can become a part of
>the solution . Nor have they offered any achievable and sustainable
>solutions to what they cry about, that I am aware of. Wishful
>thinking, or calling names, or sermonizing and lecturing those they
>disagree with do not qualify as such. Nor does symbolic flag-waving,
>appeals to the people and so forth. All that does is promote or
>publicize their own piety, something that does not in any way help
>Assam in its woes. As responsible and effective journalists, a key
>element of a functioning democracy ( unlike desi-demokrasy that is),
>they owe it to their readers, to seek out those who have the ability
>to offer such achievable solutions and air them, if they cannot offer
>them themselves. The least they can do.
>
>That in essence was what I wrote to Thakuria. If you believe that was
>a bad or destructive set of suggestions, you ought to point out that
>, explaining why. Or if you have better ideas you ought to present
>those. That will be meaningful. But to go on as you have, with absurd
>demands and assertions
>
> >like "---During last couple of elections Assam has witnessed at
>>least 65% or more vote casting. This essentially
>>means that at least 65% of Assam's people believe in
>Indian Constitution. What other verdict you want ??
>
>merely underscores your clueless disposition. And if you are
>wondering why it is clueless, try reconciling that with yours and
>Assam journalists' laments about the B'deshi immigration issue and
>why the voters don't care about it as proven by their election and
>re-election of those who would not even acknowledge it as a problem,
>much less do anything about it. And when you do, enlighten us about
>it.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>At 1:04 PM -0700 8/14/07, Krishnendu Chakraborty wrote:
>>--- Chan Mahanta <<mailto:cmahanta at charter.net>cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>>
>>> > >I understand. However it looks more like ULFA
>>> is in
>>> >armed conflict against people of Assam rather then
>>> India.
>>>
>>>
>>> *** That is because you consider those who do not
>>> subscribe to ULFA's
>>> views are the true representatives of Assam. That
>>> maybe so. But why
>>> don't those who sport that halo, hold a referendum
>>> and decide, once
>>> and for all, who the true reps. of Assam are? ULFA
>>> has publicly
>>> agreed to accept the verdict of the people.
>>
>>During last couple of elections Assam has witnessed at
>>least 65% or more vote casting. This essentially
>>means that at least 65% of Assam's people believe in
>>Indian Constitution. What other verdict you want ??
>>
>>
>>>
>>> That would be a way to bring the conflict to an end.
>>>
>>>
>>> >And BTW, if you are guarding ULFA on pretext of
>>> war, why not apply
>>> >the same yardstick when it >comes to GOI???
>>>
>>> *** I don't have any obligations to GoI. My
>>> obligations are to the
>>> people of Assam, their rights and their well-being.
>>
>>Hmmm.... and what well being do you see in kiiling
>>the children of Dhemaji or school teacher or numerous
>>other Assamese (I am excluding Biharis here) who have
>>been killed. What well being do you see in dictating
>>people Not to host Indian Flag.
>>
>>
>>> I also do not
>>> come from the ranks of those the who laughably sport
>>> the halo of
>>> being 'fair and-blanced' :-).
>>>
>>
>>We never thought you to be "fair and balanced" :)
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> >Whether they will publish this debate or not is
>>> something which they
>>> >can answer.
>>>
>>> *** I did not ask you to speak for them. Just your
>> > opinion of whether
>>> they should is what I was hoping to hear.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> > So is it that only those journalists who favor
>>> your view are true journalist?
>>>
>>> *** Is that something I said or implied? Or is that
>>> 'damned English
>>> language' problem again :-)?
>>
>>Then why come down so heavily on Nava Thakuria, DN
>>Bezbarua et al.
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> > >Even if the Assam Press initiates a debate do
>> > you guarantee that
>>> >your cohorts will not threaten those
>>> >who debates for Assam being a part of India ?
>>>
>>>
>>> *** If your cohorts do, or you do, I will surely
>>> attempt to get the
>>> approval of mine. But ULFA has publicly said, many
>>> times, that they
>>> would accept the verdict of a referendum. The need
>>> for a debate prior
>>> to such a referendum is implicit.
>>
>>Well, you should definitely try to get approval of
>>your "cohorts" who threatened a couple of journalists
>>just a few weeks back ......
>>
>>I do not think my "cohorts" ever threatened any one.
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> >send a letter to your local newspaper explaining
> >> Why St Louis should
>>> >be Free from USA and that you >will support a war
>>> against USA if it
>>> >is not freed.....
>>>
>>> *** That would be a very dumb thing to do, and the
>>> analogy could not
>>> be more absurd. St. Louis is not demanding to be
>>> free of the USA,
>>
>>Assam is not demanding to be free of India... it is CM
>>and ULFA who is demanding it.
>>On a similar analogy, CM can surely demand St Louis to
>>be free from US .
>>
>>> much less waging a quarter century old insurgency.
>>> But if it does
>>> been, I will certainly comply with your request.
>>>
>>
>>All insurgency start at some point by some people. So
>>you can surely start one (or attempt to start one) now
>>and see how your funtional democracy and press reacts.
>> This will also give us an opportunity to learn how
>>GOI should have tackled ULFA when it first started
>>this insurgency.
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> >Actually ..... not a single case of success ....
>>> not much of
>>> >accomplishment :)
>>>
>>> *** You sure know how to hurt a guy.
>>
>>Taking it as a complement :)
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> >Same on the other side is true ... particulrly when
>>> you try avoiding
>>> >difficult question
>>>
>>> *** I think you are toiling under an Oxomiya bhaxa
>>> problem too :-).
>>> Avoiding difficult questions, evasiveness, is not
>>> analogous to
>>> refusing to admit what stares one in the face.
>>>
>>
>>Uh .... I do not have any Oxomiya Bhaxa problem. Why
>>I equated it is because by avoiding such unpleasant
>>questions you do just the same --- "refuse to admit
>>what stares one in the face"
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> At 11:46 AM -0700 8/14/07, Krishnendu Chakraborty
>>> wrote:
>>> > > *** ULFA is in an armed conflict with India. It
>>> is a
>>> >> war . In wars
>>> >> such fundamental rights as speech or freedom of
>>> >> expression are some
>>> >> of the most early and consistent victims, across
>>> the
>>> >> world.
>>> >
>>> >I understand. However it looks more like ULFA is
>>> in
>>> >armed conflict against people of Assam rather then
>>> >India.
>>> >
>>> >And BTW, if you are guarding ULFA on pretext of
>>> war,
>>> >why not apply the same yardstick when it comes to
>>> >GOI???
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >*** Now can you tell us why the press in Assam
>>> would
>>> >> not allow an
>>> >> informed, unfettered
>>> >> discussion/debate about why Assam ought to be
>>> free
>>> >> or NOT ? Would
>>> >> they publish the debate we had in this forum?
>>> >
>>> >Whether they will publish this debate or not is
>>> >something which they can answer. However, a
>>> couple
>>> >of years back a similar debate from AssamNet was
>>> >published in Assam Tribune, if I remember correct.
>>> >
>>> >Have you tried sending an article /letter to Assam
>>> >Press?
>>> >There have been many instances when you have cited
>>> >articles from Assam/Indian press in support of your
>>> >view. So is it that only those journalists who
>>> favor
>>> >your view are true journalist?
>>> >Even if the Assam Press initiates a debate do you
>>> >guarantee that your cohorts will not threaten those
>>> >who debates for Assam being a part of India ?
>>> >
>>> >Now let us turn to your ideal and functioning
>>> democary
>>> >..... Try this ....
>>> >send a letter to your local newspaper explaining
>>> Why
>> > >St Louis should be Free from USA and that you will
>>> >support a war against USA if it is not freed.....
>>> if
>>> >you need to find a reason I can help you .... let
>>> us
>>> >see how your functioning democracy and its press
>>> >treats you.
>>> >
>>> >> *** Helping educate people like yourselves,
>>> although
>>> >> not always
>>> >> successfully .
>>> >
>>> >Actually ..... not a single case of success ....
>> > not
>>> >much of accomplishment :)
>>> >
>>> >In this context, the 'nwdhown gaa
>>> >> dhouaali, nakhawn
>>> >> bhaat khuali, nigilw ki koro kor' factor plays
>>> out
>>> >> quite often :-).
>>> >
>>> >Same on the other side is true ... particulrly when
>>> >you try avoiding difficult questions.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >--- Chan Mahanta <
>>><mailto:cmahanta at charter.net>cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> >Do you think that ULFA (or Anyone else) should
>>> deny
>>> >> >anybodys right to host Indian Flag ?
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> *** ULFA is in an armed conflict with India. It
>>> is a
>>>
>>=== message truncated ===
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>____________________________________________________________________________________
>>Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s
>>user panel and lay it on us.
>><http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7>http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7
>
>
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