Opinion Veiled bigotry
The issue of the veil goes much beyond the freedom to dress as some of its apologists would have us believe....
The issue of the veil goes much beyond the freedom to dress as some of its apologists would have us believe. It is a political statement that speaks not of modesty or piety but of a rejection of liberal values of equality,of freedom and of religious tolerance. It doesnt have any liberating or empowering influence on women. Instead,as is evident in this case,the freedom of a law-abiding citizen to exercise her right to equality is at stake. The ultra-secular communists in West Bengal failed us when they refused to accommodate Taslima Nasreen. Let us hope they take a genuinely secular stand in this case and enable the teacher to conduct classes instead of paying her full salary without work as a way to buy peace from fundamentalists. Also,this tendency may not remain confined to just one community. When it comes to bigotry,we Indians have a rare sense of solidarity!
Ajay Tyagi
UPA cornered
The UPA is refusing to entertain a debate on the price rise issue in Parliament,because it is afraid that an in-depth discussion will expose the abysmal way in which the government has handled this vital issue all these months. If there is a vote on the motion,the government is sure to be toppled. It shamelessly used the whip and carrot technique to coerce certain opposition parties to bail it out during the vote on the finance bill. This time,no other party is ready to come to its rescue.
V. Venkatasubramanian
Mumbai
A bad sport
What a shameful statement from former Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar,that he would be unhappy if the Commonwealth Games turn out to be successful! He has insulted the nation with his irresponsible utterances. When he says that those who are patronising the Games can only be evil,he must know that the whole nation is patronising the event,not just the organisers. Even the main opposition party,the BJP,has condemned this attitude. Aiyar should face the consequences of his words.
R.K. Kapoor
On the Mani
This is with respect to Mani Shankar Aiyars comments on the Commonwealth Games. I would also be happy if the Games do not succeed,and I am not anti-nation. The Games represent a middle-class superficial nationalism. Firstly,a country which is home to a third of the worlds poor should not spend so much on an extravaganza lasting a few days. Secondly,not only does it divert from spending on the poor,it is also anti-poor. Large numbers of people are being deprived of their livelihoods,beggars are sent out of the city,slums are being fenced and tongas banned. Aiyars remarks are not to be taken literally,but as the frustration and anguish that many true lovers of the nation feel.
Dheeraj Pandey
Ghaziabad
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