Religion, Nation and Freedom of Speech Is religion above the nation?
Are we really truly a democracy if the freedom of
Speech is not protected by constitution?
Can we rise above our vested interest and extend our horizon to do away with
affirmative action?
The two letters below, to Mr. Vir Sanghavi ,who is a regular columnist of The Hindustan Times, raises a few very vital points. Whether it is Shah Bano or Taslima, we have allowed women oppression with a national consensus, either actively or passively. History is a good teacher. But we do not seem to bother about issues unless they directly affect us in some way. No wonder then, that Chanakaya was man handled when he warned the emperor of Magadh about the possible dire consequences of his inaction. More than two thousand years have past but we have not changed. Have we?
Dear Mr. Sanghvi,
I read your article titled "Dilemma of an Indian Muslim" in The Hindustan Times (Aug 12, 2007). I am moved by your thoughts and totally agree with you, that Muslims have their own internal dilemma when it comes to raising voices against their own, hitherto accepted religious beliefs. However, the statistics provided by you i.e., Muslims constitutes 12-14 percent of our population and they do not get their fair share of pie when it comes to number of jobs filled, is open for misinterpretation. Your viewpoint is based on faulty line of reasoning, false assumption and insufficient evidence. As a civilized society, we must guarantee equal
opportunity for all. However, the very object and notion of affirmative
action are discriminatory. If it were an article from a politician who believes in appeasement, I would not be as surprised. But as your regular reader, I am taking this opportunity to oppose your viewpoint. This is my counterpoint.
Raj Shankar
91-9934878164, 91-9931172937, 91-631-2450732
http://www.rajshankar.com
http://you-me-triumph.com
Dear Mr. Sanghvi,
I am not sure if my first mail has reached you. However, in response to your article titled "Dilemma of an Indian Muslim" in The Hindustan Times (Aug 12, 2007), I am raising yet another question about the role of press and judiciary, in a self proclaimed democratic country called India. Poor Taslima, has been tortured for franchising her
constitutional rights i.e., freedom of speech as protected by the Indian constitution. While she has been subjected to threats, intimidation and various other means of physical, mental and social atrocities, the perpetrators of constitutional rights are wreaking havoc on the decency of a civilized society in the name of religion and by using the power vested in their chairs. Indeed, we enjoyed seven fundamental constitutional rights for decades when it was decided that it was time to do away with one of them. The million dollar question is: Is religion above and beyond the nation? We have misused our constitutional rights time and again, as a Hindu or as a Muslim. Is this the time to do away with our constitutional rights related to freedom of religion and to make it a civil right? Well, it is all good for a table talk at my level. But at your level, we would expect you to be more vocal. What is government doing against those threatening to kill someone? Are they above the law because they are the privileged people by virtue of their position in the society? What is judiciary doing? If it can happen to Taslima, it is naive to think that it cannot happen to people like you. Is the press community thinking about crossing the bridge when the time comes? Or has the time already come?
One last thing: While the government must ensure that every single right of Muslims must be protected and there should be no prejudice at any level, it should not refrain from taking stringent action against minorities if they are found in violation of the law. Of course, there is a danger of losing your chair - if you are the government. But then, do they really represent us/India or they are more worried for themselves.
My two cents.
Raj Shankar
9934878164, 9931172937, 0631-2450732
http://www.rajshankar.com
http://www.you-me-triumph.com
Note: It seems like police have registered a case against the politically strong person, who had threatened to kill Taslima. It is never too late to do the right thing. Does it? I just wonder how we would have felt, had Shah Bano one of our family members.
Folks,
If you do take my view points kindly point your post to my blog.
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