Thanks to Indian Atheists
Aneeb
NEW DELHI - This is bizarre, and the most wacky of all. Imagine it happening in a TV news studio in an ‘economically booming’ India; watched by millions on live as ‘breaking news’. Crazy it may appear, but when competition for eyeballs, TRPs (Television Rating Points) hots up, this happens.
A TV channel invites an unheard of spiritualist (shaman) named Pandit Surinder Sharma to join a debate on ‘black magic’ with an Indian rationalist Sanal Edamaruku. Edamaruku is president of rarely heard and equally anonymous Indian Rationalist Association.
The discussion on black magic intensifies with a purpose to keep the viewers gripped; so is the intention, it seems. The shaman, who claims to have a triumphant totem (tantrik) holding unnatural power, shows a small human shape made of wheat flour dough. He lays a thread around the dough like a noose and tightens it.
He claims he can kill any person he wants to within ‘three minutes’ by using his black magic power. Edamaruku says he accepts the challenge. He roars: “Kill me, if you can.” But Sharma is not sure. He asks: “Here, in the studio?” ‘Yes’, replies Edamaruku. “That’s interesting ... live on TV, folks,” quips the news anchor.
So the stage is set for the great tantra challenge! Shaman chants his mantra: “Om lingalingalinalinga, kilikili....” But his efforts hardly show any impact on Edamaruku. Not after three minutes, and certainly not after five, 10, 20. The time is extended, and extended again because the news anchor says this is ‘interesting news’, and more so ‘breaking’.
The original discussion on black magic should have ended here, but the “breaking news” of the challenge is ongoing and is overrunning all programme schedules. But no one is complaining. Not even the minister of information and broadcasting Priyaranjan Dasmunshi; and that too even after two weeks the challenge was aired.
Why would anyone? After all, it is new age entertainment, mystery unfolding minute by minute on prime time TV news. Sharma starts sprinkling water on Edamaruku, and brandishing a knife on him. Then he moves a blade all over his body. Edamaruku does not cringe.
Sharma touches Edamaruku on his head, rubbing and wrinkling up his hair, pressing his brow, his fingers against his temples, laying his hand over his eyes. When he presses harder and harder, Edamaruku reminds him that he is supposed to use ‘black magic’ only, not forceful attacks to bring him down.
Shaman takes a new run: water, knife, mantras, and more mantras. But nothing happens to Edamaruku. He keeps looking healthy, and even amused. After nearly two hours, the TV anchor proudly declares that shaman is a failure. Sharma, unwilling to admit defeat, says a very ‘strong god’ who Edamaruku is worshipping has protected him.
“No, I am an atheist,” says Edamaruku. Finally, the disgraced shaman tries saving his face by claiming that there was a never-failing special black magic for ultimate destruction, which can only been done at night.
Bad luck again, the TV channel invites him yet again that very night in another “breaking news” show. The show goes on.
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