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A secular thought

It was refreshing to know that there are a few sane, liberal voices amongst Muslims. Firoz Bakht Ahmed rightly puts things in the correct perspective. But are the Muslims listening? The Mullahs and Maulvis have a vice like grip on the Muslims. The common Muslim is boycotted by the entire community, if he voices his honest opinion on the Quran or the Jehad. The Quran is interpreted by the so called religious leaders and priests in a way in which all non-muslims are potrayed as kafirs who have to be eliminated. The majority of the Muslims are poor, for them going to the Mosque is the only means of socializing and religion. It is like emotional food for them. It is here that the young muslims are indoctrinated in the philosophy of jehad, as seen through the eyes of Laden or other fanatics. In fact, Laden himself left a life of unlimited luxury to follow the path of jehad. Some Muslim nations like Egypt,Turkey, and even Iraq under Saddam Hussein, tried to modernize, but faced stiff opposition from these fanatics. But what about Hindu terror in the form of LTTE or the Indian naxalites, or Christian terror in the form of US world domination and forcible conversions by the missionaries? Remember, it was a Christian nation which dropped the  only atom bombs in human history. Communist China and the former USSR has used terror to rule. Why just single out Islam?

Santosh Mohan Joshi
Sangli Respecting the brave

The Army plays such an important role in India’s life, yet we tend to ignore its actual spirit. We appreciate a cricket win, but treat our ‘army heroes’ like ordinary men. We worship media idols, but not real steel men. The snub to Sam Manekshaw after his death, represents the real depths of sychophant democracy that we live in. We need to ensure that people stay in the army and not get disillusioned by ‘the not so glamorous life’. Everynight as we tuck into bed, we need to remember that a lonely soldier is somewhere out there on the icy borders.

Sunil Melwani
Pune Prioritising terrorism

The moment someone slaughters innocent people to advance a so-called political cause, at the very moment, the political cause turns immoral and unjust. Although, the declared agendas of the terrorists changes from remedial to the social, religious, national or racial. unjust done to them in the past, they prescribe only one solution i.e. the demolition of the whole structure of society. No partial solution, not even the total redressal of their grievances, will satisfy them - until our social system is destroyed or delivered into their hands. Unless the government tackle terrorism before nuke deal or any other issue, we would be planting nuclear bombs in the form of reactors. India has already lost a lot to terrorism, including two Prime Ministers. We cant afford to lose more!

Archana Gupta
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