WHETHER MYTHOLOGICAL EPIC RAMAYANA IS A TREATISE OF MORALS?
It was tulsidas [1532-1623],who established larger than life divine status of Rama,the main character of Ramayana,when he composed Ramcharitmanas in 16th century.If we go through both popular versions of mythological story [Ramcharitmanas and Valmiki Ramayan],it is beyond any logic or comprehension to believe that Rama deserved to be accorded status of Maryadha Purshotam [an epithet of 'god' Vishnu with propriety of conduct and dignity].
*According to the Ramayana,the whole world was "created by god"for the exclusive benefit and glory of Brahmins.All other castes in general and Shudra in particular were meant to serve them.Accordingly Shudras were not entitled to devout penances. When one Shudra Shambuka violated the divine code,resulting in the premature death of a Brahmin boy just 5000 days old,it was considered as grave administrative lapse under Ramrajya.Rama,being "ideal" king,himself took the initiative and "criminal"Shudra was located on the bank of a lake by the side of the Shavaili mountain doing rigorous tapas,standing upon his head. Without a moments hesitation Rama "with a beautiful sharp sword chopped off his head". The 'gods' in 'heaven' were so delighted at that "god like work" of Rama that they showered flowers flowers upon his head "again and again" and extolled him.[Valmiki Ramayana,part 2,uttarkandam,chapter 73-76].
*There was conflict of interests between two brothers Bali and Sugreeva. Rama for his own selfish motives exploited their conflict and entered into a pact with Sugreeva, and accordingly Rama fulfilled his part of the pact by sending a deadly arrow against Bali,while the later was engaged in a duel with Sugreeva,hiding himself behind a tree unseen.Rama comes out of this episode as an unscrupulous and cowardly assassin.[Ibid,Kishkinda kandam].
*Surapnakha, was the sister of Ravana.The description of her ,by Valmiki ,appears to be highly prejudiced. When her brother was as handsome as 'Manmatha",she could not be so horribly ugly.When she saw Rama by chance,she fell in love with him and solicited his hand. Rama did not reciprocate her love. There was nothing wrong on both sides;but when she continued to exhibit her excessive love for Rama-at first both brothers cut jokes at her expense and then finally punished her for her impertinence by cutting off her nose and ears.It is share hypocrisy today when gullible and credulous followers of Rama, condemn Ravana for his revenge act and also condemn Muslim fanatics whenever there are reports of same type of brutality against Muslim women. 

POSITIVE RATIONALISM,
Many years back, during interaction on then contemporary issues,one of my leftist friend characterized George Bush as devil [शैतान] ,but when poked by me to characterize Bin Laden too with identical "honor",he was not only non committal but bluntly refused to do so.There lies the problem of being selective with prejudice. Ironically enough,in this part of globe,there are "progressive secularists" whose secularism is based on opposing one brand of fundamentalism/obscurantism while supporting or being silent on another shade of fundamentalism/obscurantism.These very people are again selective for human right violations -following the dictum that all people are equal but some people are more than equal.I strongly believe that at least our rationalist friends,following supremacy of reason and logic ,should be sincerely wise enough to address any contemporary sensitive subject without flinching from the truth and commenting with jaundiced out look.They should be realistically bold enough to condemn both Hindu and Islamic fundamentalism c obscurantism.Any idea or hypothesis which is in gross violation of humanism and simultaneously cannot be scrutinized under supremacy of reason has to be condemned and opposed without fear or favor. Undoubtedly,negation of "god" and associated religiosity is one significant aspect of rationalism but it is to be followed with rationalistic practice and perception in all socio political aspects of our day to day life ,without any mindless equivalence.  

धार्मिक पाखंड का वर्चस्व !
स्वतंत्रता के 68 वर्षों के बाद 21वीं शताब्दी में भी भारतीय समाज पर धर्मांधता और पाखंड का वर्चस्व पहले से भी अधिक हावी है. यहाँ आज भी शिक्षा संस्थानों और चिकित्सालयों से कहीं अधिक धर्मस्थल और धर्मस्थान हैं जहां यज्ञ, कर्मकांड, जप, पूजा, नमाज़, रोज़े, अखण्ड पाठ, प्रेयर, प्रार्थना, तीर्थ, व्रत, जगराता, पंड़े, पुजारी, मुल्ला, मौलवियों, व पादरियों ने धूम मैं रखी है. अंधभक्त उन्हीं के मार्ग दर्शन और दिशा निर्देश पर चलते हैं. अधिकांश लोगों ने तर्कशील और वैज्ञानिक सोच को तिलांजलि दे रखी है ,जिस के फलस्वरूप -जो चाहोगे वही मिलेगा के प्रतीक के रूप में लक्ष्मी यंत्र, कुबेर यंत्र, हनुमान चालीसा यंत्र, अल्ला यंत्र, नज़र बचाओ यंत्र, अंगूठी, तावीज़, गंड़े, हर रोग को चुटकी में ठीक करने वाले योग, असाध्य से असाध्य रोगों का शतप्रतिशत ठीक करने का धंधा ज़ोरशोर से चल रहा है.

रिश्वत का अध्यात्मिक रिश्ता !
जब तक धर्म भक्त अपने अपने धर्मस्थलों में अपने अपने इष्ट देव का तुष्टिकरण करते हुए भक्तिस्वरूप चढावा चढाते रहेंगे और वह चढावा नैवेद्य कहलाया जायेगा, न भ्रष्टाचार की मानसिकता समाप्त होगी और न ही रिश्वत का महारोग समाप्त होगा. 
जब परदा कोई नहीं खुदा से, 
तो बन्दों से डरना क्या?

बिल्ली सौ चूहे खाकर तीर्थ यात्रा पर !
आजकल निक्कर ब्रिगेड के सभी छोटे बड़े महारथी चिल्ला चिल्ला कर, संसदीय प्रजातन्त्र के एकमात्र "निष्ठावान अनुयायी "का रोल निभाते हुए, कांग्रेस पर लोकसभा और राज्यसभा की कार्यवाही में विघ्न डालने का आरोप लगा रहे हैं. लोगों की स्मरण शक्ति इतनी भी क्षीण नहीं है कि उन्हें याद न हो कि किस प्रकार पिछली लोकसभा में नियमित ढंग से हंगामा करते हुए भाजपा ने संसदीय इतिहास में एक नया कीर्तिमान बनाने में अपनी भूमिका निभाई. पिछली लोकसभा में सर्वाधिक विघ्न के कारण सब से कम कार्यवाही हुई. 
स्पष्ट रूप से लोकसभा के रंगमंच पर वही कलाकार हैं परन्तु कलाकारों के रोल बदल गये हैं.

SELECTIVE PROSECUTION ;
Well known leading prosecutor Rohini Salian's has revealed that ever since BJP govt came to power,she had been under tremendous pressure to go soft in the 2008 Malegaon blast cases.Alleged perpetrators are believed to be the same fanatic group of people who one way or other are also linked with Mecca/Ajmer masjid blasts and Samjhauta express blasts -which killed 68 people.Since there are no valid reasons to ignore or dismiss Rohini Salian's sensational assertion,selective prosecution and deplorable bias can be bitter repugnant truth.
On the contrary prosecuting authorities super active enthusiasm in prosecuting well known social activist Teesta Setalvad is to be seen and believed.Opposing her bail plea and subsequently seeking her custody,the CBI has submitted in the court that foreign funding to her publication house constitutes a threat to India's internal security.
Ludicrous argumentation indeed !

प्रगतिवाद या अतीतवाद !
21वीं शताब्दी की सब से बड़ी सामाजिक त्रासदी है कि आज भी अधिकांश धार्मिक आस्थावान यह मानते हैं कि उन के अपने अपने धार्मिक ग्रन्थ ईश्वरीय रचना है, जो हज़ारों वर्ष पहले लिखे गए हैं जो हर समस्या हर विषय पर अन्तिम शब्द है और आज भी पूर्णरूपेण प्रासंगिक हैं. वह लोग अपनी नाक से 6" अधिक दायें बायें या आगे देखने को तैयार नहीं है. आगे की गली बन्द है. क्या यह सोच यह चिंतन मानवीय बुद्धि, रचनात्मकता और सृजनशीलता का अपमान नहीं है? कमाल का विरोधाभास देखिए कि यही लोग 20-21वीं शताब्दी के समस्त अविष्कारों के मज़े भी लूट रहे हैं और दूसरी तरफ व्यवहार और चिंतन में निरर्थक और अप्रासंगिक धार्मिक पोथियों की शान में चिल्ला चिल्ला कर कसीदे भी पढते हैं वह भी डंके की चोट पर !