On Today's 'Intellectuals'

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 31 December 2024 A temptation to base theories on speculations may land an individual in the Wonderland of Lewis Carroll! I fully agree with this. Call it a sheer coincidence. My friend, Urdu poet and retired Zonal Head of Central Bank of India, Mr Mahesh Bajaj 'Anjum' Lakhnavi defined an 'intellectual' in the morning: "Who can explain simple things in the most complicated manner, making it difficult to be understood by people and opening the doors for various unnecessary interpretations that may lead to controversies." Well said! Intellectuals, esp. today's pseudo-intellectuals and sciolists, suffer from a perpetual itch to opine on anything and everything under the sky. Famous humorous writer Lateef Ghonghi defined such polymaths in his inimitable manner: "Iss Daur Mein Bolne Ki Khujli Se Pareshan Logon Ko Hum Zaheen Samajhte Hain. Inn Logon Ke Paas Har Sawaal Ka Jawaab Hota Hai Aur Nahin Bhi Hota Hai Toh Ye Apni Aql Lada Kar Iijaad Kar Hi Lete Hain" (People suffering from an itch to speak are called intellectuals. They've answers to all queries. Even when they don't know the answers, they concoct somehow). Such 'intellectuals' abound on our TV talk shows or a forum like this. These pseudo-intellectuals are also full of condescension and look down upon people they perceive as inferior and subservient to their all-encompassing 'wisdom.' Chanakya says, "Duragraham Chhadma Vidwaanasya Sarvopari Gunam Asti " (Stubbornness is the main trait of a pseudo-intellectual). You may have seen how pseudo-intellectuals like Sudahanshu Trivedi, Major Gaurav Arya, one insane retired Maj General, Pushpendra Kulshreshtha, among others try to analyse everything that belongs to the so-called Sanatan Dharma and concerns the current political outfit. Such individuals are in all faiths. American evangelist Billy Graham and Surat-born South African Muslim apologist Ahmed Deedat wasted their intellect on proving the authenticity and divinity of Christianity and Islam respectively. I won't call them pseudo-intellectuals. Both were exceptionally brilliant individuals, adept at polemics and sophistry. They could have used their superior intelligence somewhere else in a far better and constructive manner but they chose to prove the greatness of their faiths and scriptures throughout their lives. The problem with today's genuine intellectuals is that they often choose a wrong sphere or field to assert their intellect. The late Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir put it succinctly, "Daanishmand Aksar Ye Nahin Samajh Paata Ki Apni Aql Ka Istemaal Kahan Aur Kaise Kiya Jaaye" (Intellectual is often clueless as to how and where to use his intellect). Alas, it goes in vain. In fine, we've pseudo-intellectuals as well as true intellectuals but all are baffled when it comes to using their intellect and intelligence in a proper manner. ---- 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://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/pseudo-intellectuals-evangelist/d/134194 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