Skip to main content

Tolerating the intolerance of few...

If we were not scared of secularism, perhaps we would be talking our mind out about faith, religion and rituals. In spite of being labeled a secular nation we continue to crush our freedom when expressing our views about a religion or a faith. If democracy is all about people's right and liberty, then why some religions stifle the masses and practice fanaticism with obsessive enthusiasm.

I am not at anytime for or against any religion. I respect  religious sentiments. If I have the right to take pride of my religion , so has everybody. But that however will never mean that we should   practice intolerance towards  people or sect who dare to put their point of view on the subject. I may have reasons  to love to hate people who may express views about my religion and my faith  that  may remain at tangent to my belief and my faith. However that doesn't give me the right to be devilish in pinning for their blood.


Salman Rushdie is a British Indian novelist. If his second novel 'Midnight Children' got him the prestigious Booker award, his  forth novel 'The Satanic Verses'  earned him the hate of the Muslim countries.Which is fine.What is not fine is their issuing a fatwa to kill him.The Muslim world  may disagree to agree that fatwa call is against tenets of humanity.They may also refuse to believe that no pristine religious Scripture will ever advocate any killing.They may also remain adamant that religious fanaticism is the only  right path to sainthood. I am sure no Indian will venture to disagree with this  theory of their righteousness as long as they don't attempt to enforce it into countries that are not per-se a Muslim country.

 India is a secular country and more known for her unity in diversity.Our's is a Democracy where for us freedom of expression is as holy as our religion itself. We perhaps remain victims of political intolerance, however it should not be read as our readiness to tolerate every political muck.

Forcing Salman Rushdie to stay off  the Jaipur Literature festival amounts to disrespecting people's right to freedom of expression.This reminds me of Shakespeare's three words Et,tu, Brute.?.

It is pathetic to see our vote banking politics remaining seized with tolerating the intolerance of the few...

.






Comments

Himanshu Tandon said…
Almost felt like you were voicing my sentiments. Well written once again Sir.
January 23, 2012 at 8:04 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In conversation with Bapu....

With 'Sare Jahan Se Achcha' and 'Abide with Me'the Soul-stirring martial tunes and solemn drum beats at the majestic Raisina Hills the "Beating the Retreat" ceremony marked the conclusion of the week long ceremonial functions of India celebrating her 62nd year of Republic.As the illumination lit up the edifices of Imperial India..my thought reached out to that day into the history of independence that finally dropped the curtain on a life called "Gandhi"...the man whose experiment with truth may not have jelled with today but his name has truly become the brand that remain most misused & manipulated both in trade & politics.As I key-in these lines I can read out the conversation that would have transpired between the "soul of Nation" (SON) and "Mahatma Gandhi"(Bapu)....Read on what I read..... SON: Bapu it's me,are you sleeping....? BAPU: How can you ask that...don't you know this day in the year 1948..I was gu...
4 comments
Read more

Just about...being a "Father"

A new world greeted them with smile and happiness when they... "Just met" and soon for them the wedding bells rang... Now, they are happily lost in their own world & together are learning to set- up a 'Home’ of their own... away from what was a home for them a little earlier in the year....That's "his" daughter & "his" son in-law. ..Being very adorable, the house has become little less chirpy after her moving out….. …."He" now does feel the boredom...but will never show it off... Because "he" is the father ...and expected to put on a stern face & always remain a 'matter of fact' person..... He is all set to explore & build-up a learning curve that may see him well in life in about a couple of years from now. After his graduation he may probably start living away from home in a distant land in pursuit of excellence...That's "His" son Being the darling of the house, "he" is...
4 comments
Read more

But 'PAPU' Can "Vote"...'Sala'..!

"Sala".. is a generally accepted slang for both 'hum' the "Hindustani" and 'tum' the "Indian". Together this "HUM TUM" make the "Aam Admi"of the world's largest 'democracy'. This is our "INDIA".I agree with the TV ad that almost says "My India Strongest" in spite of the "Everest" of issues that surround her. Normally in this country the fate of the 'ordinary' people ie 'Aam Admi' always remain woefully harassed, pushed and frustrated through the year. However at the close every 5 years this 'Aam Admi' suddenly become extraordinarily powerful and remain wooed by all 'big,small and sundry' political parties of the country. Yes it is time for General Election. In the coming months for the 15th Lok Sabha, 714 million eligible voters would be 'bee lining' to the ballot boxes across 29 states,6 union territories to elect 543 members . 'Jaago-...
4 comments
Read more