I have two pieces of writing I want to share. The first is an essay I wrote on Iqbal for his birthday (9th November), exploring how we have misread him, and how, in a way, he misreads himself.
https://inkelab.substack.com/p/iqbal-an-uninteresting-poet
The second piece discusses how book reviews can nudge critical readership in Pakistan. It includes a situational analysis of reading habits in the country, the role of reviews and sugarcoating, and the emerging Bookstagram and BookTok communities.
https://dunyadigital.co/books/jumpstarting-critical-reading-the-power-of-a-book-review
Would love to know what you people think about both. Thanks!
I’ll just repeat what I commented on your Substack:
As you note, Iqbal has not been well served (as a poet) by being mythologized as the “spiritual father” of Pakistan.
I must confess that I’m personally not fond of Iqbal precisely because of the ideological baggage he carries (Chin-o-Arab hamara hai, Hindustan hamara hai). I much prefer Faiz.
Iām reflecting on your Admin Note. Iāll let it stand.
Ordinarily I donāt like the idea of Editors moderating threads and I am worried about free speech.
While I will āraise concernsā (please ask me next time as you have my details & I am worried about the constraint of the space); I will let it stand.
Also the Author of the piece didnāt appeal for their piece to be restored so it might be much ado about nothing.
Iām simply posting this comment to acknowledge BP is an evolving space; you & Sbarrkum have suddenly defined its tone and therefore I have to let you guys exercise your viewpoints.
The sudden withdrawal of the Saffroniate means there will be some lopsidedness.
Thanks š
I DONT agree with editors being able to delete posts or comments.
Deleting comments on ones own post is fine.
I wouldn’t have deleted an entire thread ordinarily. But accusing Pakistan without any evidence whatsoever is not on.
Add to that the accusation that I wrote anonymous comments. It was just going in a bad direction and it’s better that it be wiped from the record.
RNJ can always try to get made editor. Not that I think he deserves that given his history of being anti-Pakistani and calling me an “Islamist”.
Ok noted
This is ….ridiculous. You are empowering and enabling utterly one-eyed censorship.
The evidence in that thread was clear. Kabir was caught red-handed attempting to use “anonymous” comments to deflect the discussion on that thread. Using very overt bigoted tropes. This is why he had to delete the thread, to cover his tracks.
This is …unacceptable. To put it mildly.
And to say that I haven’t “appealed” against it? Well, here is my public request to restore the thread and its comments. I do not believe in censorship – let that thread speak for itself. Facts speak for themselves. And just because Kabir doesn’t like the historical (and current) facts about the Pakistan army, does not entitle him to delete posts and thread that are not his own.
a) I have absolutely no reason to make anonymous comments. Anything I want to say I can say under my own name. All I did was restore a comment that you had trashed. Back up your accusations or apologize. Don’t play this game with me.
b) Your intention in making that post was simply to antagonize Pakistanis (mainly me). You prejudged a situation when even your PM and home minister have not blamed Pakistan. I will never allow anti-Pakistan comments on this forum.
This is not a democracy. I am an admin and you are not.
c) You still have absolutely no idea about the difference between facts and opinions. I am not going to waste time dealing with someone who is intellectually challenged (to put it as politely as possible).
Kabir calm please and donāt overstep. Anti-Pakistan comments do fall under free speech, which BP is committed to.
If you want to have anti-Pakistan content on this site, then I will not be participating. I will delete every post and comment I have ever made and go my merry way.
I have absolutely zero tolerance for anti-Pakistan comments. Especially when there is no evidence that Pakistan was involved.
There was a suicide attack in Islamabad today. Should I blame India and make a thread? That would be ridiculous.
Kabir I donāt respond to threats as you know.
Also as you very well know; we canāt stop free speech.
It’s not a threat.
I’m very serious. You want me on this site then there needs to be basic ground rules. Otherwise, feel free. I refuse to let my motherland be insulted.
As for free speech, you had no issue deleting my comments when you felt I had crossed your red lines. Indosaurus etc had no problems deleting my comments. So clearly, there is no absolute free speech.
Accusing Pakistan of terrorism without a proper investigation is not on.
I cannot see what you have deleted. nor can I restore it.
I have temporarily downgraded you to author since if you are going to go on a mass deletion spree; I don’t want that happening to other threads or comments.
As you know, I never asked to be made editor. I don’t really mind whatever you want to do. That said, I have no interest in “going on a mass deletion spree”. That particular thread was egregious especially the false accusation that I make comments under anonymous accounts. I’m still waiting for an apology for that slander.