I was tagged again on a Tweet about the India Farmer's protests. He/She/It (they're anonymous - like all the brave social media soldiers) asked if 'As a Hindu Leader' I would 'condemn the violence towards farmers'.
This was my reply: "I'm against all illegal violence based on religion anywhere in the world unless legally sanctioned against religious terrorists. Eg UK against ISIS. I also won't be baited into inter-religious conflict so someone can say "see how bad those Hindus are to us".
That last sentence sums it up. There are a group of religious fanatics - in all faiths - some more extreme or in larger numbers - who will look to bait and create conflict based on religion where none exists. So they can say, "look how bad the other side is". (By the way, read "Games People Play"; it's about human psychology and how we so often end up in child mode).
We choose to summon our better angels in the words of an American President.
If someone has an agenda - whether a corrupt landowning businessman who wants to control farmers, or a union which does not want to shed power or a religious fanatic wanting his own tiny country (heck I want Yorkshire to be a Republic - but sadly don't think they will make me Chief Yorkie), then say it.
Don't pretend you care for something you do not. Do not try to provoke a race or religion riot to create a cause that does not exist - that is out of the Osama Bin Laden playbook.
Anyway, outwitting the dimwits on Twitter again, they never name themselves or show their faces - not sure why the veil is mandatory -, but cowardice is a reason that comes to mind - or maybe they are shielding fearing the computer may give them a virus. Keyboard warriors. Weaponised chubby fingers tapping away. Calling themselves a Press Association to sound important - like ISIS - Islamic State. What am I, Global Imperial Intergalactic Alliance? Okay - my new Twitter name.
I believe in liberalism. Free speech away, but you will get an almighty verbal and intellectual slap back - proverbially. I believe in British values - say what you mean - okay, Yorkshire values. Don't say one thing and hide behind the skirt of a hidden agenda. And I believe in one United Kingdom and one United union territory of the Republic of India. Jai Hind.
