"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 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism