There is nothing worse than discriminating against people on the basis of their caste. That seems to be increasingly happening, going by an incident in Delhi, where a Dalit student was hurled casteist slurs and also assaulted.
Our political system encourages a casteless society and even then, the evil of casteism has permeated every sphere of life, including the government and political parties. In such a situation, how can one expect the brilliant among the lower castes to come up in society? Severe punishment should be meted out to those who continue to rely on caste to divide society so that it sends out a stern message to all.
Shakeel Hussain
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Cry for Palestine
The visual of Palestinians crying for food in war-battered Gaza, was really heart-renting. Innocent lives are being lost every day in the relentless bombing and assaults by Israel with no truce proving effective so far. One is reminded of John Donne’s immortal lines, ‘Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.’ Have we entirely forgotten our humanity that we cannot even spare a thought for these helpless victims of a war they were dragged into? Let’s rekindle our sentiments for the Palestinians who live from day to day not knowing which will be his last.
Zaquir Hussain
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Shouldn’t Muslims Scale down Celebrations as Solidarity with Palestinians?
Millions of Palestinians are enduring severe starvation and destruction of their lives, with no hope for the future. A few days ago, the last functioning hospital in North Gaza was burnt down, leaving gravely injured patients exposed to the biting cold in the open.
But when we look around us, we find that a majority of Muslims continue with their daily lives as if nothing has happened. Lavish weddings, domestic and international vacations, shopping trips to Dubai, and other indulgent activities carry on uninterrupted! Any attempt to discuss this is often met with responses that essentially convey the belief that the common person can do nothing beyond praying and that life and its pleasures cannot simply come to a standstill, even amidst the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza.
One of the reasons we fast during Ramadan is to experience hunger and thirst, cultivating empathy for those who are less fortunate. This practice fosters a spirit of brotherhood and compassion within us.Shouldn’t this same philosophy apply now? Shouldn’t Muslims consider scaling down their enjoyments and celebrations as a gesture of empathy and solidarity with the Palestinians? It’s worth reflecting on. The Muslim Ummah is like one body; if one part is in pain, the whole body should feel the pain. I think we have forgotten this hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Mohd. Salahuddin
Hyderabad, Telangana
Time India Considered Cutting Ties with Israel
Considering the atrocities being committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip where over 45,000 innocent people, including women and children have been killed in the ongoing war, India should seriously consider cutting its ties with a country which has no remorse in bombing residential localities with destructive effect.
How long can we be silent spectators to such wanton destruction in a country where countless freedom fighters gave up their lives for the sake of freedom from the colonial yoke? Gaza will also need a massive reconstruction effort if the war, and let’s hope so, ends soon. India should do its best to provide both material aid and services to restore a semblance of normalcy in the war-torn territory.
Khadija B.
Aurangabad, Maharashtra