According to news published in the media, Christian MPs have advised to Christian community to take an in-principle stand on the Waqf Bill as it affects minority rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. This was stated at a Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) at a meeting held in Delhi recently. CBCI is an apex body of Catholics in India. It also discussed the role of Christian MPs in supporting and protecting minority communities in general and Christians in particular and their rights and misuse of FCRA to target minority institutions.
I thank the Christian MPs and CBCI for speaking up boldly for the voiceless and persecuted people of India. May the tribe of such courageous and fearless people grow to defeat the fascist and communal forces.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Democracy Faces Darkest Day in History
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister has said in the Rajya Sabha recently that it has become a fashion to invoke Ambedkar’s name; instead if they would have taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven. The derogatory remarks against Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, that too in the temple of democracy!
However, Amit Shah cannot deny his remarks, because the whole speeches had already been recorded in the official book. Shah should apologise for his controversial remarks and tender his resignation. Let us wait and see.
Chowdhry Nisar Ahmed
Noorullah pet, AmburTamilnadu
Waqf Bill: Don’t Bulldoze the Opposition!
Given the BJP’s obsession with disempowerment of the Muslim community, it would not be surprising if they attempt to bulldoze the Opposition and rush through the highly controversial Waqf Bill in Parliament by hook or crook. Therefore, the priority of the AIMPLB should be to pre-empt the BJP’s strategy of pushing through the Bill in its present form alongwith other Bills in a routine manner. The ruling party needs to be reminded that merely paying lip service to the Constitution is not enough. The party ought to respect the letter and spirit of the provisions in the fundamental rights chapter.
The far and misgivings expressed by some of the most powerful outfits of the largest religious minority (Muslims) about the sinister motives behind the Waqf Bill cannot be dismissed lightly.
- Jameel Ahmed
Mysore, Karnataka
Respected Mr. Zakir Hussain Saheb
Tabla maestro respected Mr. Zakir Hussain Saheb, 73, son of illustrious father Mr. Allah Rakha Saheb breathed his last in San Francisco, USA because of a lung ailment. He had taken tabla to a global stage and became an international celebrity in a short time.
The eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha Saheb, Hussain followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a marquee name across the globe.
He studied and taught Ethnomusicology at the School of Music in the University of Washington.
Mr. Hussain, in his career spanning over six decades, has worked with several internationally renowned artistes. He has received five Grammy awards during his career.
Mr. Hussain received the Padma Shri (1988), the Padma Bhushan (2002) and the Padma Vibhushan (2003) from the Indian Government.
Heartfelt condolences to his family members, friends, sympathisers, spread across the globe.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat, India