Deeply disturbing! More so because it is all true... The language is simple and straightforward which pierces the heart... No words to describe the sadness that filled me while and after I read it. ( )

Rahul Pandita narrates a spellbinding tale of the exodus of Hindus from the Indian-administered Kashmir. Read the complete review here https://wp.me/p6rxcY-3l. ( )

Excerpt from the book:

Girja, had been abducted and immediately blindfolded. Four men had taken turns to rape her in a moving taxi. As they were conversing with each other, Girja recognized the voice of one of the men who went by the name Aziz. ‘Aziza, chhetey chukha? Aziz, are you here as well?’ she asked in Kashmiri. Aziz got worried. He knew that Girja had recognized him. So, in a final act of barbarism, they took her to a wood-processing unit and cut her alive on a mechanical saw. This is what the seekers of freedom were doing to the religious minority.


My Thoughts:

Gut-wrenching and eye opening at the same time, Rahul Pandita's book throws light on how the blood drenched politics of the fundamentalist Muslim world played a major role in massacre of Pandits in Kashmir. It also explains without literally explaining, how much unfair it would be for Indians if Pakistan is successful in taking over Kashmir. The author takes us on an historical tour right from the beginning of civilization in the valley to the present day Kashmir while revisiting all the glory as well as the barbaric invasions that Kashmiris have experienced. While covering such a vast ground, for its major part, the book stays focused on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and how it has been overlooked by Indian media and government. Most importantly without being preachy, it portrays how in midst of insanity some victims retained their sanity by not generalizing their hatred towards all Muslims.

Unfortunately in the madness of communal riots, the casualty is usually innocence. While reading books like 'Our Moon has Blood Clots' by Rahul Pandita, 'Lajja' by Taslima Nasreen, 'Communal Rage in Secular India' by Rafiq Zakaria, my belief in Bhagat Singh's ideology of 'Peace can be maintained in free India only when all religions are abolished' keeps growing stronger. India did get free but unfortunately not from the chains of its religions.

Our Moon has Blood Clots is a must read for every Indian who wants to learn more about the Kashmir issue. ( )

Our Moon has Blood Clots is a first person narrative of a young boy who along with his family was forced to flee from his home in Kashmir and had to grow up as a refugee in his own country. The author takes us to a life in an innocent Kashmir which he was accustomed to, before being forced to leave his home behind as separatist movement gained momentum in the Paradise on Earth.

Read the review of Our Moon Has Blood Clots at http://www.thebookoutline.com/2013/03/book-review-our-moon-has-blood-clots.html ( )