We must Learn from Modern Nations
The cover page of Radiance Viewsweekly of 15-21 July 2018, entitling, High Hopes and Broken Promises, along with our PM’s photo, looking back at four years of the NDA Government, is par excellence! And the editorial “Are we a civilized people?” by the Editor-in-Chief, highlights how civilized we are.
We must learn from modern nations, allow individuals to frame and live by their own codes of personal morality.
Chowdhry Nisar Ahmed
Nootullahpet, Ambur
A Shame, Indeed
It is a shame to see that even veteran religious leaders and social activists like Swami Agnivesh are also not secure in our country, which is regarded as the largest democratic country. The veteran leader was punched, kicked and pushed to the ground allegedly by ordinary BJP Yuva Morcha workers in Jharkhand recently. It proves the height of arrogance among the people who are in power. The alleged BJP workers had shown black flags and raised slogans against him and in return, the veteran leader had offered a dialogue, which any sensible man would do but in return he only got abuses and finally the assault.
It is ironic to see that the man leading a mob was seen chanting Jai Sri Ram when he thrashed 80-year-old activist, thus disrespecting Ram as well. This is nothing but an act of cowards who went on to thrash the man who has always stood for peace in the country. Ironically, we saw the very party condemning the act while on the other side it has been instrumental in promoting the goon culture in the country. This was evident in the very statement of condemnation asking the people not to see in isolation considering the track record of Swami Agnivesh.
Despite the religious leader has informed the local administration about his arrival in the state, none of the policemen had come forward to give him the required security which he as a peace lover and known social activist very much deserve especially when his hotel was surrounded by goons who were protesting his arrival in the state. It’s a shame to see an eighty years old senior citizen being attacked by the goons who are being nurtured by the same party that promote hate and violence in the name of trivial issues. It’s a sad day in a democratic country like India, which seems to be approaching close to anarchy. Will the administration do justice and nail the perpetrators, well it seems doubtful though!
Mohd. Zeyaullah Khan
Nagpur, Maharashtra
Shrinking Democratic Space
There is no doubt that the democratic space is shrinking by the day and anyone who raises his voice is called anti-national. This is a very dangerous trend which is good neither for the people nor for the country. It appears that the present establishment is trying to impose its own agenda on others and providing little space for others to dissent and debate. Peace-loving citizens and the civil society should remain on toes and be vigilant to safeguard, protect and preserve democratic and pluralistic ethos of the nation. Needless to say there is a sense of fear and oppression among people in general and minorities and weaker sections in particular. The idea of India is really under great threat.
Iftakhar Hussain
Delhi
The Kurdish Issue in Turkey
There is a need to put the legitimate demands of Kurds on the agenda and to conduct sincere negotiations. The Kurdish issue in Turkey is fundamentally a matter related with the human and citizen rights of the Kurdish people who have been exposed to oppression for a very long time. Turkish state should give up the search of solving the Kurdish problem with military methods. Negotiations would be the only way to stop conflicts and prevent the issue from getting more violent.
The United States’ role in solving the Kurds problem has never been very serious or sincere. While the Kurdish territory was experiencing terrible killings in the 1990s, the Western military aid helped to make the situation worse for them. The U.S. military assistance to Turkey in 1997 exceeded the supports given since the beginning of operations conducted for the suppression of the uprising.
P.A. Mohamed Ameen
Via Email