City Moment – The Hanging of Joseph Lelyveld, Jantar Mantar Moments by The Delhi Walla - April 6, 2011April 10, 20117 The beautiful Delhi instant. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] The Delhi Walla was one afternoon walking around Jantar Mantar, the area outside the 18th century solar observatory where Indians protest against injustice. Heading to Tolstoy Marg, I witnessed an incredible sight. About 30 people were raising slogans. Cadres of a little known rightwing organization called Rashtrawadi Shiv Sena, they were demanding the death of the Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author Joseph Lelyveld. In March 2011, Mr Lelyveld’s book Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle stirred a controversy for a passing mention on Gandhi’s relationship with a man friend. Reviews in newspapers claimed that the author has called Gandhi “a bisexual and a racist.” The day I was in Jantar Mantar, the page one of The Times of India carried the author’s interview with the headline: “If it’s wrong to discuss sex and Gandhi, I’m guilty.” One protester was holding a poster of Mr Lelyveld’s portrait; there was a noose around the author’s neck. Others were displaying placards printed with these slogans: Disgrace to father of our nation will not be accepted Those who insult the National Father, the National Anthem, the National Symbol and the National Flag should be executed The contemptible book should be banned Long live national father Mahatma Gandhi Joseph should be sentenced to death Indians from the country’s most wretched and remote parts come to Jantar Mantar to raise their voices. This democratic venue was hosting a group that was intolerant of other people’s voices. I approached a woman in the crowd. “Your name?” I asked her. “Annapurna Sharma,” she said. “Are you from Delhi?” “No, I have come from Ajmer (in Rajasthan).” Pointing to Mr Lelyveld’s portrait, I asked, “So you want this man to die?” “I have to follow my leader.” “Will you be happy if this man is hanged?” “I don’t understand politics, but to tell you the truth, no, I don’t want him to die.” It was a beautiful moment. Disgraceful Gandhi’s nightmare Reading Joseph Unacceptable conduct Joseph Lelyveld on the line? Annapurna Sharma doesn’t want Mr Lelyveld to be hanged What fun (thank God!) Defy the intolerance, buy the book (at a Khan Market bookstore) FacebookX Related Related posts: Memo from Jantar Mantar – 19/11, The Day of Infamy Memo from Jantar Mantar – Free Dr Binayak Sen City Monument – Jantar Mantar, Opposite Park Hotel City Life – Gay Delhi, Jantar Mantar Memo from Jantar Mantar – Killings in Lhasa, Unrest in Delhi
What mockery is this? Now the right-wing Hindus are all riled up about a book that supposedly sullies the reputation of Gandhi? Since when did Hindutva nut-cases start caring about Gandhi? Rhetorical questions apart,these ignoramuses need to take a break from being so fantastically ignorant. I think the fact that most of them are old says a lot about the whole enterprise.They just need something more fruitful to fill their days up. They should try doing some real work or maybe visit the slums and make the lives of the slum-people better. But I guess that would be beyond the pale of ‘service to Hindutva’ and thus, superfluous to the interests of these fine individuals. Here,it would not be amiss to quote a highly quotable quote by the highly quote-worthy Bertrand Russell,”Conventional people are roused to fury by departures from convention, largely because they regard such departures as a criticism of themselves.” Thank you,Bertrand, for all your pearls of wisdom (which are occasionally strewn before pigs)and thank you, Mayank Austen Soofi, for this snippet from a day in Delhi.
”Conventional people are roused to fury by departures from convention, largely because they regard such departures as a criticism of themselves.” BINGO! Memo to self: Read more Bertrand Russell.
They seem to be a splinter group from the original Sena which broke off after disagreements with the Thackerays’ anti-North Indian stance. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-05-10/india/27781361_1_raj-thackeray-shiv-sena-bal-thackeray
Just when you think there are motre than enough intolerant right-wing Hindu outfits, another nutty group shows up, displaying yet more ignorance. Bet you my pay cheque none of them have read the book……..remember the Library in Mumbai that was burned down by another Hindu outfit (which shall remain nameless lest they come after me)for publishing a scholarly work on Shivaji with all his foibles?. I should start a service called rent-a-right-wing-crowd for the likes of Ms. Sharma.
hey,just make sure you add me on the mailing list when you start the ‘Rent-a-Hindu-mob’ service.I wish to settle some scores * looks around and rubs his palms together* Will there be a discount for avid readers of the Delhiwalla?