There is someone behind the mirror

Beware the Baphomet!

There is someone behind the mirror in the Bathroom, I told her. She groaned irritably, believing that I was mumbling in my sleep once again. It had been a regular affair. Over the past 1 week or so, I would talk incoherently in my sleep, she would wake up, ask me to shut up and then go back to sleep. But every other day, I could feel that I was dreaming, although, I couldn't make sense of what I was dreaming. Funny, these dreams were. Sometimes, I would see myself driving blindfolded, taking sharp turns, realizing that there were near-accident situations, at other times, I would feel like I was running down a flight of stairs. My legs would bend and twitch as if I was really running down the stairs. But I could never understand what I was driving/running away from. But all that was until tonight.

I had been telling her that I was having silly dreams. We had even laughed at how the quality of my dreams was so mediocre. I had tried to go to bed with a light dinner, having read somewhere that heavy dinner before bedtime makes the sleep pattern irregular. For the last 3 days, I had been secretely reciting shlokas and mantras to help me sleep- remember how parents used to tell you to say your prayers before going to bed. But nothing had helped. I had continued to drive and run in my sleep. Every morning, I would feel exhausted- attributable obviously to the poor sleep quality. I had even started taking power naps at work, but my boss had caught me yesterday. I had told him that I was meditating.

Strangely though, I had fallen asleep as soon as I had hit the bed tonight. It was a sound sleep, just like the days of yore. And then, suddenly, the dreams began. I dreamt that I was dreaming that I was walking about the house. And the house was empty. It was pitch dark. I tried turning the lights on, but the switch did not work. Damned power cuts, I remarked. I realized that it was night and that I could hear her snoring gently in the bedroom. I thought that I had woken up and walked around in my sleep and started walking back towards the bedroom. The door of the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom was open. A strange yellow light seemed to be coming from the mirror above the wash basin. I reminded myself, Aashay, you are sleep walking and that is bad enough. You should not be dreaming while you are sleep walking. Even before I could decide what I wanted to do, I realized that I was in the bathroom. I could hear voices now. Mumbling that was too faint to comprehend. And then suddenly, it appeared, behind the miror. It was a man, a strange man at that. Seemed more like a goat standing on two feet. It looked at me and then it disappeared.... sooner than it had appeared.

And I blurted out. 'There is someone behind the mirror in the bathroom'. And she groaned. I realized I was still sleeping. I tried to turn over to her side. I couldn't move. I tried to sit up. I couldn't. I opened my eyes, and there it was. The strange Goat-man that I had just seen behind the mirror. He was standing right in front of me. His bloodshot eyes, tapered teeth, vulpine nose, furry face, pointed horns and a strange long dangling tail.  I could see him clearly. He came closer and closer to me. I could feel his breath over my face. He seemed to be radiating wrath. He was still mumbling faintly. But this time, I could make sense of what he was saying. 'Do not tread on paths where you do not belong'.

And suddenly, I felt that I was moving, writhing actually. And I could see her, trying to shake me into wakefulness. I was sweaty, my chest was heaving and my heartbeat was racing like I had actually run a mile. It was morning. And here she was, telling me, 'Wake up, Did you dream again?'

I did not dream. Not tonight. I was sure of it. It was real. The goat man was what I was running and driving away from. Without even knowing he existed, I was running away from him.It was as if my mind had wandered into another dimension and having perceived the menace wanted my body to run away.

Once night falls and darkness takes over, Once sleep takes you in its arms, strange creatures from another realm come to life. It is not meant for a man to see them or hear them. They brook no interference with their life and their realm.

So when you sleep tonight and dreams take over. Be very careful. Not all dreams are bereft of reality. And be wary of where these dreams take you.... There might just be someone behind the mirror in the bathroom.

Frozen Conflicts

The latest term to enter the spehere of geopolitical strategic thought is 'Frozen Conflicts'. One must thank
the Russians for having introduced this term to the international consciousness. With the re-integration of Crimea with Russia, aided obviously by Russian military might, the West is now carefully looking at various such territories/places that were at one time hotbeds of strife and violence, but have since then lapsed into peace and quiet, without any apparent setllement of issues that had caused the strife/violence initially. Post Soviet realms are full of such conflicts, ranging from Eastern Ukraine or Novorossiya to Transnistria on the Moldova-Ukraine border to Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the Russo-Georgian border to Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

All these disputes are frozen in time. The inhabitants of these territories have forgotten the violence that they had experienced some 20 odd years ago and have now established a modus vivendi for themselves. Some like Transnistria now claim to be sovereign  and independent, while others such as Abkhazia are de facto independent.

One must dig a little deeper to understand how a frozen conflict would serve the strategic interests of a superpower. For this, let us examine the peculiar case of Russo-Georgian relations.

Georgia had been a part of the Russian empire for many years before the Bolsheviks took over. In fact, Georgia was one of the original Soviet republics as the Trans-caucasian republic when the USSR was founded in 1922.Georgia's greatest claim to fame in the USSR was that it was the homeland of Joseph Stalin- the butcher of millions of Soviet citizens. In fact, the Georgians mutinied in 1956, when Khrushchev denounced Stalin. Anyways, the invincible Soviet Union imploded in 1990 and Georgia emerged as an independent nation under for the first time that anyone to could remember. Georgia's strongman was Gorbachev's former foreign minister Eduard Shevardnadze. Immediately after Georgia's independence, the northern, predominantly non-Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia rose up against Georgia and achieved de facto independence, although calm was restored with Russian intervention in the early 90s. The conflict was considered as more or less settled with no side disturbing the status quo.

In 2005, following the Rose revolution in Tbilsi, Shevardnadze was ousted and a new pro-American president, Mikhail Saakashvili was sworn into power. Saakashvili immediately made several pro-West moves including applying for NATO membership. Nationalist, as he was, Saakashvili also aimed at restoring the unity of Georgia by taking back Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russians, in the meanwhile, under the Putin-Medvedev team had turned away from the defeatist Yeltsin era and were establishing themselves as Nationalists in their own right. Citizens of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia had been granted Russian passports, essentially transforming the character of the conflict from a Georgian affair to a Russo-Georgian affair.

In 2008, Georgian attempts to reclaim the lost territories were met by Russians arming the South Ossetians and Abkhazians. In a matter of days, Russian troops poured into Georgia to counter the Georgian military offensive. Given the overwhelming military superiority of Russia, and the fact that they were supported by the Abkhazian and South Ossetian military, Georgian military was humbled in a matter of days, before the international community rushed in to mediate peace. Once again, the status quo was imposed. Once again, South Ossetia and Abkhazia were de facto independent under Russian tutelage.

International experts believe, that the 2008 South Ossetia conflict between Georgia and Russia was Russia's way of indicating its displeasure with the Rose revolution and the cosying up of Saakashvili administration with the US. Some also considered the Russian offensive as Putin's revenge for Kosovo. In a matter of days, the Russians, strategically, revived a frozen conflict, with Georgian aid no doubt and used it to their advantage to topple Saakashvili's  apple cart.

What Russia is doing now in Ukraine is no different. As Ukraine continues to edge towards the EU and NATO, Russia will up the ante, probably going so far as to threaten the existence of the Ukrainian state. All frozen conflicts are not necessarily in countries far far away. China continues to use the border dispute with India and maritime disputes with other Asian countries from time to time to its strategic advantage.

Coming back to the modern Geo-strategic thought, all conflicts need not be resolved. Some should be left in the deep freezer. God only knows when they might come in handy.

Holy Cow!

The whole controversy regarding Sai Baba was quite unnecessary to say the least. Dwarka Shankaracharya need not have expressed his opinion, even if he felt very strongly about it. Hindu or Muslim, Sai Baba is the object of affection, adoration and devotion for millions who consider themselves Hindu and do not seem to bother about the religious convictions of Sai Baba. Hindu Seers supporting the Shankaracharya's views have sought to highlight scriptures and various 'acts' of Sai Baba which seem to indicate that he was not a God. Needless to say, it has not helped further their cause. What is even worse probably is the fact that millions of adherent Hindus who believe wholeheartedly in the Sanatan Dharma, seem totally unconcerned with the whole controversy. Imagine, The utterances of a Holy Seer going unheeded this way!

But then that is how the Hindu religion is! Diffused, Omnipresent and yet not rigid but rather fluid. Unlike Abrahamic religions which have clearly stated dos and donts and scriptures that in many cases form the law, Eastern religions have tended to be more ethereal. Dharmic religions belonging to Indospehere and Chinese/Japanese/Korean religions belonging to Sinosphere tend to deal with 'may/may nots' rather than Western religions that are more of 'can/can not'. The result has been an explosion of conflicting opinions, diverse cultural mores and habits that indicate a total lack of cohesion, but scratch the surface and you shall find layers and layers of similarity and commonness. Contrast this with western religions, where homogeneity is the norm.

When West met East, notably during the colonial era, West imposed its understanding of culture and society on the East. Manusmriti was understood by British colonizers as the Hindu equivalent of the Quran or the Talmud, which it certainly was not. Practices that the westerners found abhorrent, were termed as superstition (which in our understanding today, surely were superstitious). As Hindus became more prosperous and materialistic over a period of time, faith in Godmen and Seers and Saints dropped in this most religious corner of the world,  Add to this the inherent fluidity of the religion to accept all views (even if they be diametrically opposite) has resulted in Hinduism being a religion practiced at home and thus varying from home to home. Barring a few recommended visits to famous temples and prayers at holy rivers, Hinduism is actually a way of life, and not so much a religion in the western sense.

India's independence and the Nehruvian belief in majority communalism being more dangerous further dented whatever consolidation could have happened amongst the right-wing Hindus that could have resulted in a rigidification/restructuring of the religion. Other than the failed Cow slaughter ban movement and the partially successful Ram Janmabhoomi Andolan, Hindus have remained a diffused and distributed lot. Combined with the inherent tolerance and respect for other cultures has meant that Hindus would be as likely to pray at a Pir Dargah as at Kashi Vishwanath temple. Given this political and social background, the Shankaracharya's rejection of Sai Baba goes against the grain of the religion which he claims to lead. 

Which is a sentiment best summarized Rig Veda which says

'एकम् सत् विप्राः बहुधा वदन्ति'- Truth is One, though the Sages know it by many names!

Cry-me-a Ukraine

In a way that combines the best practices of the Soviet era- stealth, deception and intrigue with the best practices of its Russian successor state- brawn, brain and courage, Putin has succeeded in catching the West unawares. While the Americans, the Germans, the French and the British were toasting champagne for having wrested another East European country out of Russia's sphere, Putin was silently working behind the scenes to create a situation which is now being called the return of the cold war.

Kiev exploded into protests once President Yanukovich at the last moment backed out of accords that would have brought Ukraine a step closer to the EU, choosing instead the massive waivers that Russia was strategically offering. Kiev protests were nothing new- protests are now a standard feature of almost all modern nation states- Kiev was hosting protests in Maidan square, just as Dhaka had witnessed its own in Shahbag square, Cairo in Tahrir Square, Bahrain in Pearl Square and so on and so forth. This is now a routine internal matter of any nation. However, Ukraine was to be the prized possession of the West, another humiliating blow to post Soviet Russia. And hence the West intervened- High profile visits by diplomats and statements by Presidents and Prime Ministers. Western portrayal of events in Kiev showed that a revolution was brewing against the unpopular rule of Yanukovich who deserved what he was getting.

Well, Yanukovich wasn't exactly the most popular President that Ukraine had ever had. He had been ousted from power once earlier during the Orange Revolution. But he had inched back to power primarily because the forces that had led the Orange Revolution had dissipated their energies in fighting each other and because he had a genuine following in the Russian speaking majority in the Eastern part of Ukraine. But now in sort of a deja vu, people were clamoring for his ouster once again. After days of blowing hot and blowing cold, offering sops and asking police to intervene, Yanukovich realized that his days were numbered. He simply fled.

The transitional government that took power in Kiev immediately turned to EU for support and membership. In an befuddling move, it also rescinded a 2012 law that made Ukrainian and Russian the official languages of the state. Now, it was time for the Russian majority and industrialized East to explode. As Putin watched, undoubtedly with a smile on his face, Russian speaking Ukraine disowned the new national government in Kiev. In Crimea, pro Russian troops took control of the autonomous territory that Khrushchev, for reasons best known to him, had transferred from Russia to Ukraine. Putin, subtly aided the process. Tourist protestors crossed in from Russia to Eastern Ukraine to protest against the fascist dispensation in Kiev that was hell bent on obliterating Russian speakers in Ukraine. From Donetsk to Luhansk, From Kharkiv to Sevastopol, protestors took over Government buildings and unfurled the Russian tricolor.

Crimean Parliament in the meanwhile called for a referendum to reunite Crimea with Mother Russia. Suddenly, the West woke up. Realizing that the tables had completely turned against them, Obama, Merkel and the Who's who of the West frantically engaged with Putin and his administration, coaxing, cajoling and threatening him to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity. Putin on his part merely reiterated his stated position to come to the aid of Russian speakers anywhere in the world.

So that is where things stand as of now. It looks probable that Crimea will vote for integration into Russia. It seems probable that Kerry and Obama will go berserk. It seems probable that sanctions and counter sanctions will be liberally applied. But one thing is certain, Russia has risen again!! 

(P)AAP

Lord Kejriwal has spoken once more. Perched on a platform, towering over his worshipers, he has named the corrupt-the scum of Indian politics. They must be hounded and made to suffer. After all, none other than the almighty Lord himself has so ordained. At least that is what Kejriwal and his AAPists would have us believe. Kejriwal is the incarnation of Buddha, Krishna, Jesus and Zoroaster, raised to the power n. He is the embodiment of truth and courage in this Kalyug. He was sent down by the God himself to rid India of all her ills. He is the modern day messiah, who comes to spread his religion of honesty, probity and accountability, not with a sword, not with a Gospel but with Dharnas, Anshans and Pradarshans. God almighty has sent him to us to make India once more the land of bounteous milk and honey, the eternal golden sparrow.

This cult of personality is frankly very sickening. Kejriwal's and AAPists' self portrayal as posterboys of India's vibrant democratic structure is unnerving at the very least. Their lofty ideals and their claims of being different and better than all others in the political fray is disgusting. The fact of the matter is that AAP is like any other political party in the country, composed of power hungry and ideology-less goons who want to be known as leaders. There is one difference though, while other established national political parties are slowly moving away from evil of populism and disruptive democracy, Kejriwal and his party seem to be espousing the ideals of 'mob democracy' to force the Kaffirs to believe them and their ideas.

Let us look at AAP's record till date. For AAPists, Intra-party democracy is not very different from a Khap panchayat. Party elders sit and decide what is right and what is wrong and the rest of the party must toe that line. Speak up and you are branded a heretic, Speak louder and you will be purged ( remember Binny?). Classic replication of Lenin and his "Democratic Centralism", Stalin and his "Purge Trials",isn't it?

Now, Let us look at law and order. See now, that is a wrong question. Central Government is responsible for law and order. What can Kejriboy do? He can scream, shout and protest, which he is doing anyway. Poor, Old, Sheila Dixit, hounded as she was by these AAPists for crimes against women. She lost the election on an issue that wasn't even hers. But then, she did not sit on a Dharna- see now thats the difference.

What about power? First nothing and then up, up and away and why? Lo and behold- Private power companies are corrupt, they are holding the government to ransom, they are the bad guys. Lets throw them out!  

I can keep rambling but honestly, I have lost interest in this politics of blaming, in this politics of 'I am holier than thou',and worst of all, in this politics of 'if you disagree with me, you must be evil'. In an earlier post I had expressed fears that Kejriboy would be India's Robespierre. I am afraid that it seems that I was right.AAP to me symbolizes a gross misrepresentation of Young India's aspirations. Where India wanted stability, AAP offers anarchy, Where India wanted progress, AAP stands for hindrance, Where India wanted democracy, AAP believes in a cult of personality. Devoid of any coherent ideology, AAP, to me, is no different from any other regressive political party with a provincial mindset and parochial attitude. 

So much for being the next big thing on India's political scene.