Farrukh Dhondy

Excerpt: From the Translator’s Note to Rumi; A New Collection Selected and Translated by Farrukh Dhondy

In the age of the Internet, Rumi quotes are everywhere. Like pop songs they sometimes provide instant gratification. At other times, their mysterious vocabulary lends itself to a range of interpretations. In the note appended to his new translation of the Persian mystic’s poetry, Farrukh Dhondy explains that contemporary readers err greatly when they overlook the fact that Rumi’s work is devoted to the philosophy, doctrine and poetic interpretation of Islam

Britain’s attitude to religious symbolism is tolerant, with a few exceptions

A reporter wearing a hijab and reporting an Islamicist terror attack has kicked off a lot of debate and has also provoked outrage

It’s no more a safe haven

Will Brexit jeopardise the position of people evading the law in India?

The Leave camp wants to abolish laws which prevented the extradition or expulsion of criminals who claimed their protection to remain in Britain. This is bad news for Indian citizens who have for landed up here in defiance of Indian requests for their return to face charges

Jaipur Lit Festival in London: Why this fuss about Vedanta

I genuinely wonder how many people participating in or attending these festivals pay any attention to the logos of sponsors printed on the programmes....how would I, or anyone for that matter, support Vedanta? Will the company advertise themselves as patrons of literature in order to attract and get capital investment?

London shows the way with Citizen Khan

Sadiq Khan is today the first Muslim mayor of a western metropolis. It’s not as significant as the United States electing a black president, but for Britain it is a gigantic step in defining its contemporary nationhood

Defining minorities and their uses in India requires a change of thought

Muslims in India ought to have the status of a ‘smaller majority’. It is from such quibbles that policies for social justice can flow

Stretching the Schengen: Migrant crisis leaves EU ideals fragile

The influx of refugees from war-torn nations is the most serious crisis the EU has faced and is threatening to alter it in irreversible ways.

‘Secular’ the most misused word? Not quite the same meaning these days

More than the relevance of the word ‘secular’ in the Constitution, India should take issue with ‘scheduled’ and ‘backward’

Shiv Sena’s leaders, members should worry about attack on Kulkarni

The people who ought to be worried about the Shiv Sena’s attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni are its leaders and members, writes Farrukh Dhondy.

Britain is fated for an Attlee moment

My prediction is that Britain is fated for an Attlee moment when, after it was led to victory in the World War II by Winston Churchill, the nation voted for a quiet and modest leader of the party that opposed him and promised them universal healthcare, free education and opportunities for the working classes, writes Farrukh Dhondy.

Looking at history through different prisms

There can be revisions in history. But some changes cannot be accepted by modern countries which are mindful of their image.

Modi, Vaz episode shows UK’s systems of grace, favour still in place

There you have it! An adaptation of the Shakespearean speech from Julius Caesar as perhaps Keith Vaz, Indian-born Leicester MP, would render it today to the Westminster parliament in answer to the controversy that surrounds his acts of patronage or, as he insists, of clear duty.

Bollywood: It’s a masala the West cannot digest

The 2015 Cannes Film Festival began on May 13, and concluded on Sunday. At the same time the Jaipur Literary Festival came to London’s South Bank Centre, the artistic hub of Britain’s capital. One of the sessions at the JLF’s Brit debut was a discussion on Bollywood.

No excuse for the destruction of history

The destruction of history anywhere in the world through acts of vandalism is wrong.

Flag bearer: The future of democracy lies with India

This month Hachette, India published a book by British historian Roderick Matthews entitled The Great India Rope Trick with a questioning subtitle: “Does the Future of Democracy Lie with India?”

Right to wear niqab? Clash between attire and law

Farrukh Dhondy gives his views after a top British judge's call for rules that force women to take off niqabs when giving evidence in court sparked off a debate on the right to wear veils.

For Clean India, do not sweep your dirt under the carpet

In many countries, people who litter roads are liable to be taken to court and fined. Will it take generations before such laws become feasible in India?

An imaginary account of Scotland's 'independent' future

As this columnist predicted on September 19, 2014, the fatal day when the results of the Scottish independence referendum were announced, this partition of the United Kingdom would lead to ultimate instability and disaster, writes Farrukh Dhondy.

Mr PM, beware of attempts to mix history with myth

Debating history is necessary. But when myths are used as political weapons to further a certain agenda, their contentions become dangerous, writes Farrukh Dhondy.

The false one: Islamic State's Caliph is a fantasy enterprise

Some disillusioned men from Europe and other places may join the Caliphate but the ISIS is unlikely to win over transcontinental territories.

Politicians often attempt to threaten press into silence

In any democracy the Press should be subject to the law but not to any power held by elected politicians. Wouldn’t such powers curtail the ability of the press to investigate and expose the crimes and the conduct of politicians? Farrukh Dhondy writes.

Alleged rapists too should be afforded anonymity like survivors

Any rape trial is an invasion of the privacy, shame and trauma of the victims who allege rape and, if the accused is innocent, of the alleged rapist.

Section 377 may not be a priority with any parliamentarian

The SC’s plea to Parliament is mouthwash. However glaring the case for a modernisation of this law, it is doubtful whether it will be a priority with any parliamentarian, writes Farrukh Dhondy.

Malala is not the best mascot for universal education

Even though Malala probably has a full scholarship to her school, it is from a platform of very narrow elitist privilege that she is seen as championing universal education. Farrukh Dhondy writes.

The Daily Mail has unwittingly begun a debate on press freedom

In the past two weeks a debate about press freedom has been initiated by the Daily Mail, a national newspaper which attacked the Labour party leader’s late father Ralph Miliband, writes Farrukh Dhondy.

15 minutes of fame and more

Andy Warhol, the famous artist and fraud said that everyone is destined for 15 minutes of fame. My last wish is to have those 15 minutes as an acquaintance or advocate of the convicted serial murderer Charles Sobhraj.

A divine intervention

The Archbishop of Canterbury intends to use the Church’s moneyto save the poor from loansharks. Would any head of such a religious foundation in India follow suit? Farrukh Dhondy writes.

Show them the money

The backers and funders of political parties in India are not philanthropic benefactors of the democratic process — they are funding their own political and financial influence. Farrukh Dhondy writes.

Chasing an illusion

Jihadists who want to ‘start a war in Britain’ are perhaps stupid enough to believe their actions will gain them followers and lead to some sort of ‘British spring’. Farrukh Dhondy writes.