ISSUES AND CONCERNS

ARE MUSLIMS MARGINALISED IN INDIA? Commenting on challenges of SIMI’s hate politics, the Hindu, had written in its editorial of April, 1, 2008, that "when in 2001, Safdar Nagori proclaimed in an interview that he was ‘very bitter about being Indian,’ he was voicing and exploiting the rage of a generation. Embittered at being denied social and economic equity and justice by a rising tide of communal prejudice and angered by a brutal succession of riots, massacres and pogroms that scarred the 1980s and 1990s, thousands of young people saw in Nagori’s calls for jihad the promise of justice - or at least a kind of retribution." There are millions of Indians, in tribal hamlets, in rural India, in the slums of cities and towns, who are living a hand to mouth existence. They earn a $ or less a day. They are deprived of all those state benefits which are meant for them but siphoned off by well heeled civil society. They are desperate but are resigned to their fate. Programmes of self...

Friends, ‘After I am gone who will take up my work’ asked the setting sun. Seeing the world responseless, a small earthen lamp mustered enough courage to say "Lord I will exert myself to my utmost". Keeping its word to the readers, Issues & Concerns have traversed EIGHT meaningful years marching TOWARDS A PURPOSEFUL REGIMEN. Looking back over the shoulder, its been extremely satisfying that despite problems, we have continued with the same vigour and commitment. So also a bit of disappointment. Its true it has increased its circulation from national to international but that has not helped it improve much of its cost over-runs. Patrons are aware that this is a socially relevant effort and hence need your continuous support, however miniscule, to sustain and grow. As one of our ardent supporter has fervently hoped that ‘journal is kept going by something more than the gusto and the civilisational commitments of its editor.’ Haven’t we heard this famous Hindi film song, ...