I know you may or may not read this Rana, but as a Pakistani, I can only salute at your courage to stare down the fascist regime that has plagued our neighbor. More power to you and voices like you who are lighting the candles in the darkness. Stay strong, may Allah always keep you in His Protection. Ameen.
Surely madam every day I keep an eye on what is happening in India especially in Kashmir Uttar Pradesh. You, Sabanakwi, arfakhanum, Mohammad Zubair, Wire, Article 14, Caravan, News Loudry, Ravesh Kumar and many more are bringing real news to this country.
Superhero movies need supervillains to stand out. Sincere question : What is the best way to depict Islamist terrorists and invaders in superhero type movies? Or are you advocating that popular entertainment drop terrorists as villains entirely because it makes regular muslims uncomfortable.
How do we stop Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir valley and in other parts of country? Even mr.owaisi was saying all the killings of civilians is by Pakistani's terrorists and only they are to be blamed for this . Recently Col.Viplav Tripathi his 8 year old child and wife ,all 3 got killed in Manipur by terrorists..I was very pained by seeing our soldiers dying..
Thank you EVERYBODY. It was great engaging with you here. This is a new platform for me and you and like all innovations, this will take its own time. I promise I will make sure I take time out to address your questions, concerns and feedback. Thank you again
Absolutely. Which is why I want Kashmiri pandits to ask some tough questions of this govt. How many pandits have returned to the valley, what steps has this govt taken to ensure their safety. I saw a recent discourse by Meenakshi Lekhi where she said Pandits themselves are to be blamed which made me very furious. Kashmir does not and will not be home for just one community
sir, what happened in 1990 is a part of public memory. It was a blot and will continue to be. But can we use that to justify the violations in Kashmir today ?
Maam dont you think Free Speech has always not been In India even before 2014. For example the 1st amendment which had curbs on free speech and the latest one 66a in Information Technology act. I think personally that this Government is doing nothing new that previous government has not done. Whats your view on this?
Nidhi, if you read my reportage in the pre 2014 years, you would have seen a cover story done by me on the UPA regime targeting of free voices and critics. But let me say this. As a journalist who did various investigations including on the Adarsh scam and coalgate scandal, i did not see this kind of vindictive backlash as this govt has unleashed. Criticism is the essence of democracy. You and I criticize a government for the love of this country. And we want to see the best version of it
maam i usually have a diffrent perspective from you so I wanted to have a healthy conversation to get a different perspective.
Dont you think minorities in India have are having a safe haven. You look at any minority jain sikhs buddhist parsis. why is that only Muslims in India is getting so many incidents of lychings. IF Hindus truly wanted domination and hindu rashtra don't you think that they would have already achieved that by now from independence. Look at Pakistan hindu population literally null. Whats you view on this!
A safe place where they practice their religion without any bombardment.
I define safe haven like there are no bomb blasts in mosques and Muslims even get scholarships in India In fact I have read a recent article(although I don't know if it's authentic).
As a young queer woman starting out in journalism, I really love your work and the alternate space you've created.
Often, political discourses ignore caste and focus solely on the Hindu-Muslim binary. I would love to see you work with anti-caste journalists like Meena Kotwal, Sumit Chauhan, Suprakash Majumdar, all of whose voices really deserve international space, voices like these with yours would be commendable against the common enemy of systemic brahminism!
Hello Suchitra. Thank you for asking this important question. On the day of my launch, i asked journalists, writers from the marginalised community to send me pitches for their story. You will, Inshallah read a diversity of voices. It is clasutrophobic to hear upper class, upper caste narrative in not just our journalism but also in our popular culture. I would urge you and other readers to kindly help me identify such voices and keep giving your feedback. Crticism produces the best journalism
Well. i would say, in one word, i have never felt more claustrophobic and restrained. I knew bigotry and communalism is an inherent part of this country, but the way it is now out in the open, breaks my heart. I do not believe that the rest of the country is unable to see this disturbing trend
Hello ma'am, what is your view on Kashmir dispute. After revocation of article 370, I know the situation is alarming due to internet shutdown, human rights violations and detention of politicians. But at a time, I think Kashmir must be in India because from my childhood I saw Kashmir in our country map.
Do we just need to see Kashmir on the map and not Kashmiris ? I see Kashmir as a part of me too but I am gutted to see the 'otherisation' of kashmiris everyday. The way they have been targeted, abducted, killed for decades. I feel for the youth of Kashmir. Each time they try to make a fresh start, we do something that takes us a decade back. Each indian needs to introspect on this. Would we like to live this life ? Caged ? Without the internet ? Without human rights ?
One small doubt, you said India is facist country. I agree minorities are marginalizing but please don't compare with Nazi Germany. People comparing India with Nazi Germany is really hurting even though it may be true.
No questions that I can think of ATM. But I sure would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the work that you're doing. Also thank you for being you. Keep up the good work. Keep going. You are an inspiration, Rana! You have all my well wishes and blessings. Have a nice day! :)
Bollywood producers, directors & a few actors had incited the hate between communities in the country and across the world for their commerical movie making business portraying muslims as terrorists and showing them in low light even though the khans do make the blockbusters. I think these khans should become the voice of 22 mio Indian Muslims further through a television medium and further challenging the hatred spread against Muslims.
Being a young journalist from a marginalised community, I see that caste as an intersection is missing from the international reports. Caste plays a very crucial role in India and it's politics. What do you think about the importance of caste in context of indian politics and also global representation in media.
I could not agree more Suprakash and it pains me that we refuse to acknowledge the role of caste in present day narrative. I cannot speak for others but my agenda on this substack is to include journalism by marginalised voices. Muslims, dalits, adivasis. I would encourage you to send pitches about stories that reflect on this
well this was expected by the way the governance is governing, right now if we are raising any voice there is greater threat of warrants and arrests…. well without qurbani there isn’t anything that can be achieved,..but as we are students who dont wanna mess up our careers and not raise BP of our parents what is that we can do ????
I hear you Imaduddin. I hear you. Your sentiment is being echoed by a majority of muslim, dalit youth in the country. But silence in the face of oppression is a bigger crime. Speak up against injustice, Write, blog, tweet, be civil and rational in your discourse
Thank you ma’am noted….Will make sure to speak up against oppression….Do guide us on how to be rational in discourse….May Allah swt give you abundance ajar in aakhira …Its long we have seen a voice like yours echoing in our society 🙌🙌🙌
I know you may or may not read this Rana, but as a Pakistani, I can only salute at your courage to stare down the fascist regime that has plagued our neighbor. More power to you and voices like you who are lighting the candles in the darkness. Stay strong, may Allah always keep you in His Protection. Ameen.
If you don't like the movie don't watch it!!!
Surely madam every day I keep an eye on what is happening in India especially in Kashmir Uttar Pradesh. You, Sabanakwi, arfakhanum, Mohammad Zubair, Wire, Article 14, Caravan, News Loudry, Ravesh Kumar and many more are bringing real news to this country.
Superhero movies need supervillains to stand out. Sincere question : What is the best way to depict Islamist terrorists and invaders in superhero type movies? Or are you advocating that popular entertainment drop terrorists as villains entirely because it makes regular muslims uncomfortable.
How do we stop Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir valley and in other parts of country? Even mr.owaisi was saying all the killings of civilians is by Pakistani's terrorists and only they are to be blamed for this . Recently Col.Viplav Tripathi his 8 year old child and wife ,all 3 got killed in Manipur by terrorists..I was very pained by seeing our soldiers dying..
Thank you EVERYBODY. It was great engaging with you here. This is a new platform for me and you and like all innovations, this will take its own time. I promise I will make sure I take time out to address your questions, concerns and feedback. Thank you again
When you talk about Kashmiri's do you include kashmiri Pandits?
Absolutely. Which is why I want Kashmiri pandits to ask some tough questions of this govt. How many pandits have returned to the valley, what steps has this govt taken to ensure their safety. I saw a recent discourse by Meenakshi Lekhi where she said Pandits themselves are to be blamed which made me very furious. Kashmir does not and will not be home for just one community
Then what explains the 1990s kashmiri pundits exodus?
Why did it happen right wing view it as if some jihad what are your views on this?
sir, what happened in 1990 is a part of public memory. It was a blot and will continue to be. But can we use that to justify the violations in Kashmir today ?
Maam dont you think Free Speech has always not been In India even before 2014. For example the 1st amendment which had curbs on free speech and the latest one 66a in Information Technology act. I think personally that this Government is doing nothing new that previous government has not done. Whats your view on this?
Nidhi, if you read my reportage in the pre 2014 years, you would have seen a cover story done by me on the UPA regime targeting of free voices and critics. But let me say this. As a journalist who did various investigations including on the Adarsh scam and coalgate scandal, i did not see this kind of vindictive backlash as this govt has unleashed. Criticism is the essence of democracy. You and I criticize a government for the love of this country. And we want to see the best version of it
maam i usually have a diffrent perspective from you so I wanted to have a healthy conversation to get a different perspective.
Dont you think minorities in India have are having a safe haven. You look at any minority jain sikhs buddhist parsis. why is that only Muslims in India is getting so many incidents of lychings. IF Hindus truly wanted domination and hindu rashtra don't you think that they would have already achieved that by now from independence. Look at Pakistan hindu population literally null. Whats you view on this!
mam, how do you define a safe haven ? And is Pakistan the ideal for us ?
A safe place where they practice their religion without any bombardment.
I define safe haven like there are no bomb blasts in mosques and Muslims even get scholarships in India In fact I have read a recent article(although I don't know if it's authentic).
Hai Ayyub ji i didn't watch that film but 100% i will support you why because since last 1 year i am following you in twitter and instagram 👍👍👍
Thank you Hafeez ji. Although i would prefer you do not just go by my arguments but make your own observation
Hello ma'am!
As a young queer woman starting out in journalism, I really love your work and the alternate space you've created.
Often, political discourses ignore caste and focus solely on the Hindu-Muslim binary. I would love to see you work with anti-caste journalists like Meena Kotwal, Sumit Chauhan, Suprakash Majumdar, all of whose voices really deserve international space, voices like these with yours would be commendable against the common enemy of systemic brahminism!
Hello Suchitra. Thank you for asking this important question. On the day of my launch, i asked journalists, writers from the marginalised community to send me pitches for their story. You will, Inshallah read a diversity of voices. It is clasutrophobic to hear upper class, upper caste narrative in not just our journalism but also in our popular culture. I would urge you and other readers to kindly help me identify such voices and keep giving your feedback. Crticism produces the best journalism
Indeed! Would love to pitch you! :)
please do and encourage others to do too. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to publish young, diverse disruptors :)
Hi Rana, Would you please spot some light on India after 2014?
Well. i would say, in one word, i have never felt more claustrophobic and restrained. I knew bigotry and communalism is an inherent part of this country, but the way it is now out in the open, breaks my heart. I do not believe that the rest of the country is unable to see this disturbing trend
Hello ma'am, what is your view on Kashmir dispute. After revocation of article 370, I know the situation is alarming due to internet shutdown, human rights violations and detention of politicians. But at a time, I think Kashmir must be in India because from my childhood I saw Kashmir in our country map.
Do we just need to see Kashmir on the map and not Kashmiris ? I see Kashmir as a part of me too but I am gutted to see the 'otherisation' of kashmiris everyday. The way they have been targeted, abducted, killed for decades. I feel for the youth of Kashmir. Each time they try to make a fresh start, we do something that takes us a decade back. Each indian needs to introspect on this. Would we like to live this life ? Caged ? Without the internet ? Without human rights ?
One small doubt, you said India is facist country. I agree minorities are marginalizing but please don't compare with Nazi Germany. People comparing India with Nazi Germany is really hurting even though it may be true.
How do you define fascism sir ?
Fascism means I think discrimination and marginalization of particular community, religion or race and also encouraging violence with hate speech.
I don't know much about fascism, racism but I think above statement is atleast 80% defines your question.
Also I don't know the meaning of "apartheid" because I'm still student and learner and also very weak in Social studies.
Whatever you said it is true. Freedom, basic human rights are very important for each and every individual in the world.
looking at the plight of kashmiris is painful but looks like most of india has decided to close their eyes
No questions that I can think of ATM. But I sure would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the work that you're doing. Also thank you for being you. Keep up the good work. Keep going. You are an inspiration, Rana! You have all my well wishes and blessings. Have a nice day! :)
That just made my day. Your name sure is not Tarzan :)
Of course it's not. You may call me DK. And once again, thank you!
Bollywood producers, directors & a few actors had incited the hate between communities in the country and across the world for their commerical movie making business portraying muslims as terrorists and showing them in low light even though the khans do make the blockbusters. I think these khans should become the voice of 22 mio Indian Muslims further through a television medium and further challenging the hatred spread against Muslims.
that is expecting a lot from the Khans, given the way they have been targeted
Hello Rana,
Being a young journalist from a marginalised community, I see that caste as an intersection is missing from the international reports. Caste plays a very crucial role in India and it's politics. What do you think about the importance of caste in context of indian politics and also global representation in media.
I could not agree more Suprakash and it pains me that we refuse to acknowledge the role of caste in present day narrative. I cannot speak for others but my agenda on this substack is to include journalism by marginalised voices. Muslims, dalits, adivasis. I would encourage you to send pitches about stories that reflect on this
well this was expected by the way the governance is governing, right now if we are raising any voice there is greater threat of warrants and arrests…. well without qurbani there isn’t anything that can be achieved,..but as we are students who dont wanna mess up our careers and not raise BP of our parents what is that we can do ????
I hear you Imaduddin. I hear you. Your sentiment is being echoed by a majority of muslim, dalit youth in the country. But silence in the face of oppression is a bigger crime. Speak up against injustice, Write, blog, tweet, be civil and rational in your discourse
Thank you ma’am noted….Will make sure to speak up against oppression….Do guide us on how to be rational in discourse….May Allah swt give you abundance ajar in aakhira …Its long we have seen a voice like yours echoing in our society 🙌🙌🙌