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Journalism of Courage
8226;It was unfortunate that 8216;Saamana8217;, the mouthpiece of Shiv Sena, carried the suggestion by its editor of a 8220;Hindu bomb8221; to counter the 8220;Muslim bomb8221;. Such dangerous ideas are part of concerted attempts to prevent the growth of Indian nationalism and crystallisation of a pan-Indian identity. Ever since Independence, the divisive agenda of Hindu fundamentalism has been to foment communal conflicts, denting the tolerant, secular image of India.
India8217;s secularism is the reflection of our history and the well-established Hindu tradition of coexistence of different religious groups and communities. For us, secularism is a national goal for peaceful coexistence based on tolerance and understanding. This has helped us to evolve a composite culture that drew upon the best that every religion had to offer. Every aspect of our social, political and economic life has been influenced by this healthy culture, and we could transform our country into a modern nation-state with a promising future. Leaders with such arrant passion must realise the grave consequences of their provocative comments.
8212; Mathew Oommen
Extend this justice
8226;The formation of the Economically Backward Classes Commission by Rajasthan CM, Vasundhara Raje, as reported in your paper on June 9, should be welcomed by all sections of the Indian society as the right step in the direction of social justice to the most deserving. Though the speedy report of the commission has made way for a five per cent quota provision for poor upper castes in Rajastan, a similar exercise by the Centre could go a long way in doing away with caste-based classification for any preferential treatment, whether in education or in jobs. Holding rich promise of justice without caste distinction, a comprehensive exercise of this kind will also obviate the need to find out 8220;creamy layers8221;.
8212; Parimal Y. Mehta
Vandals triumphed
8226;Your editorial, 8216;Strong-arming state8217;, voices the common man8217;s apprehensions that both aspirations and vandalism endure. Maybe frustrated by unemployment, envious of the Meena8217;s gains and betrayed by the BJP, Gurjjars in Rajasthan vented their anger but democratically elected governments should take care of people8217;s aspirations and grievances through timely negotiations and public debate, averting such destruction of the public property and harassment of citizens, for which nobody 8212; neither any individual nor any leader 8212; is held accountable.
8212; Vitull K. Gupta
Bhatinda
Nuking Left
8226;Wisdom at last is dawning on the Congress party, as it has decided to go ahead with the nuclear deal even without the blessings of the Left. It is also a relief that the UPA partners are willing to back it. Let us now hope the BJP will not to be a spoilsport.
8212; Sadashiv S. Apte
Pune
