-- Rawalpindi, Pakistan --

Karim - Abbujaan, Are we going to fight the Hindus?

Abbu - I don't know, it's all in his hands. Don't you have homework?

Karim - Latif is saying that there is going to be a war.

Abbu - Sometimes we have to fight a war to overcome evil, son.

Karim - Are Hindus evil?

Abbu - No, they are not. But they don't believe in our way of life.
They believe in other things, things that we know are wrong.

Karim - Why can't we teach the Hindus the right things?

Abbu - We tried to, they wouldn't listen. They don't believe in an
Islamic God, that is why our Prime Minister decided to found an Islamic
state.

Karim - What is an Islamic state, Abbujaan?

Abbu - Where the most righteous man is the ruler, and as in the
glorious days of Islam, leads his people in prayer.

Karim - Is the General the most righteous man in Pakistan, Abbu?

Abbu - I don't know, Karim, I hope so. I sincerely hope so.



-- Chaul, India --

Prasad - Baba, I have finished my homework. Can you teach me to ride
the scooter now?

Baba - Raja, I am reading the newspaper, we will ride it later.

Prasad - What is so important in the newspaper? Let's go.

Baba - That Bukhari has said something anti-national again. Damn these
rascals! Why can't they just go to Pakistan?

Prasad - Why can't the police do anything? Is Bukhari a powerful man?

Baba - He is a Muslim, that's why. A Muslim can do what he wants. Our
secular government fears to antagonise everyone but Hindus. That's why
I tell you, study! Study hard, and go to America. There is nothing here.

Prasad - Our President is also a Muslim, no?

Baba - Just in name, just in name. If it weren't for the Brahmin who
schooled him, it wouldn't have amounted to anything. You give me a
Muslim..., no, an Arab child to bring up and then see what a fine
specimen I make out of him.

Prasad - So Bukhari is bad not because he is a Muslim but because he
doesn't have a proper childhood?

Baba - No, Prasad. It is difficult to explain. Religion is a medicine,
you take a spoonful of it every now and then. If you get addicted to
it, you can destroy your life.

Prasad - I don't understand. Let that Bukhari go into a ditch. Teach me
to ride!

Baba - Ok, Prasad, ok...