"Lies Are Like Lice In The Hair Of Our Times"
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
11 December
2023
“We live in a moment where the truth has become
problematic for all sorts of reasons, because the world is so full of lies.
Readers really want to reassure themselves that what they’re reading is either
true or deliberately not true."
-Salman Rushdie
Rushdie's
latest statement at the Tata Literature Festival, 2023 is extremely relevant in
these times when truth comes at a premium. "Lies are like lice in the hair
of our times," stated Japanese writer Kenzaburo Oe in conversation with
Milan Kundera a few years ago.
Yes, our
lives are infected with the 'institutionalised' lies of our times. The
discerning and perceptive readers, despite being in a minority, want to know
whether it's true or not. Lies have always found a way to enter our lives
because acceptance of lies is always very easy and it needs no critical
exercise.
Lies being
majority's Gospel Truths, come and stay forever. Day in and day out we're being
bombarded with lies on social media and news channels, but most of the people
are least bothered to verify them because verifications break illusions and
humans love to live in the world of illusions. That's why, religious lies are
so entrenched in our minds. We're not bothered or willing to verify them lest
they debunk our cozy and comfortable existence of illusions.
The current
political dispensation's blatant lies appear to be truths because repeated lies
assume the status of truth over a period of time. Truth is forever on the
scaffold because lies are protected by a fierce majority with vested interests.
To quote a
renowned Urdu poet from Bombay, Dr Navroze Kotwal, “Jahaan Jhoot Ko Milti
Rahti Hai Panaah/ Wahan Sach Ka Bolna Bhi Hai Gunaah" (Where lies are
perpetually under (State) protection/ Stating the truth can land one in
prison).
Truth has
always been an orphan and in these times, it's an orphan that has also been
abused and assailed. Who knows this better than Salman Rushdie, the man who
dared to make fun of religious lies of Islam in his book The Satanic Verses
and lost his right eye? Yet, the man has the courage not to face the lies lying
down but to bounce back to disrobe and denude them and show their warts.
Whether
it's politics, religion or the so-called spirituality, it's time to point out
the lies these fields are fraught with. Don't be afraid of getting beheaded and
killed: Main Jhoot Ke Maahaul Mein Sach Bol Raha Hoon/ Duniya Se Kaho Sar
Mera Neze Pe Uchhale (I proclaim the Truth without fear/ Impale my head on
your spear). Only those who're so fearless, can speak out the truth. The impotent
rest may choose to wallow in the muck and turd of all sorts of lies.
-----
A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in
comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed
articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including
Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/lies-like-lice-hair-times/d/131288
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