Even this, as we can see in progress, is vulnerable. Stating what is not up for debate is a statement, and nothing prevents those who have a majority of public opinion backing them, even if the backing is for other reasons, from debating those taboo things. Nothing can stop a determined and successful demagogue.
Indeed, its why I mentioned proper fighting chance rather than any guarantee. Things have to be put in practice.
From the onset if you start with demagoguery though (and exploiting the broader sociological means that sustain such things like Merzifonlu has mentioned), it can get baked in a very long time.
Large parts of my family have become anti-INC to the degree they have some visceral reactions when I defend Nehru. They are more drawn to the autocrat nature his daughter took on and thats what appeals to them in the political currents today. But we are Tamil and I (and those like me among my kin) always have the brahmastra that is the Kamaraj tenure. From that I am always able to backwork things on principles and context back to the larger INC (and independence movement) of that era....that we must criticize what needs criticizing, but we have much to be thankful and grateful for if proper measured judgement is formed. A process that has been fruitful for me as I hone it to get people to think on things again and return later. Large parts of this process would have been in far worse shape today if the "proper fighting chance" was not set up in first place.
It happened while I was absent from the forum for a period, engaged in personal matters. I was shocked when I returned and found that he was gone.
Austerlitz was a sad story. That one was a really clumsy hatchet job (like really bad).
A group of Pakistani posters who had it out for him in a "how can an Indian have a TT title on "our" forum?"...basically made a couple burner accounts to harangue him intensely so a selective confession reel could be given to webby (who they then spent another few weeks pressuring till he caved in).
Disgusting. Would have never happened as it did if it was the other way around...the literal evidence of clear nature of the hatchet job was open to all to see too on austerlitz profile page (anyone mind telling me who the hell these new burner accounts even are?)
Then Pakistani friends of mine, who never had any part in this, some even leave the whole forum over the selective reel given on what happened and their own foibles/inconsistencies. Though they did at deeper level sense something grossly inconsistent about the system in place to let this stuff surface after all the hue and cry about "no discussion about religion" (and its hollowness in practice acting as streisand effect - thats all a bunch of posters could ever talk about in awful ways in full view of the mods).
This is the exact way seemingly populist mobs can get their way in society more broadly to silence any minority they dont like....because there is own void in self-esteem for whatever reason and axe to grind.
It doesn't matter in end how much you contribute as a doctor in Karachi, how many people you helped.....if you are Hazara and theres a hit against you from some mob of degenerates who just hate you because you are Hazara. The police just shrug their shoulders or are secretly pleased.
Its matters like this I am able to sort out principled Pakistanis to make friends with.... from ones I keep as casual acquaintance (at best). Extends to Indians and others as well.
When are you starting a thread on these?
And it is good to see you here
@Joe Shearer.
In interim, you can always check up Joe's recent activity on profile page etc, or search up his replies.
Hope you also bring any marooned/exiled/adrift quality Indian members here over time as you can. We don't want to lose a gathering spot for those interested in international forum atmosphere but one with sound consistency of rules.
I like your response but I sincerely believe you are wrong. We can discuss this, on a suitable thread, not this one.
May I suggest this one (we can rename it to paritition analysis or something else if warranted and if
@Saiyan0321 thinks it is proper):
I am making this thread a Sticky so that we can share Reading material of any kind amongst ourselves and provide Reviews and Suggestions for Books. This Thread will also include Research materials which can help our understanding and expand our horizons. Again it is not limited to Non-Fiction...
defencehub.live
It has earlier replies/exchanges between a bunch of us that may be interesting for members to look over and then continue. I think partition stuff starts around page 2.
The topic of partition has come up in fits and starts in many more disparate threads, but this one seems to have a good chunk from the search I just did. I can bring and consolidate more streams as I find them elsewhere to the larger thread if needed too.