Letters to the editor: Patriotism is not secularism

Patriotism is not secularism
Apropos of “Modi thinks people will forgive his mistakes”, it was amusing to read the Gujarat strongman dishing out his ‘India First’ concept of ‘secularism’ in his address to the Indian diaspora in the United States. It seems that the Narendra Modi is conveniently coming around to secularism as it is commonly understood, but I wonder whether the audience would be naive to lap it up, as all of them have evinced interest in the growth of the country and the success of the democracy. But national pride is different from secularism, which stands for equality of people belonging to different faiths and the separation of politics from religion, without the hegemony of any one particular religion or domination of majority religious sentiment.
—V Subramanyan, Thane

Narcotics destroying Punjabi youth
Apropos of “Vijender sweats as NIS knocks out Ram Singh”, the huge heroin haul  last week, involving top boxers Ram Singh and Vijender Singh, indicates the extent of the penetration of the tentacles of the narcotics mafia among the youth in the Punjab and logically its bordering states. Not very long ago, there was an uproar, especially in the Punjab, after Rahul Gandhi warned that 70 per cent of the youth in the state may be addicted to drugs and that the number of young people getting hooked was on the rise. Some analysed that it was a strategy of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to push narcotics in the state which contributes a large number of recruits to India’s armed forces.
—Sudhakar GS, Mumbai

Hasten fast-track justice
It’s shameful that every other day there are sexual assaults happening even after the horrendous case of the young woman in Delhi in December. On Saturday, chief justice Altamas Kabir said that all those who commit such crimes should be taken by the scruff of the neck to show that this is not the way to deal with a woman. So what about the other crimes against women? When will the perpetrators of these crimes be punished? Can we see fast-track justice happen fast so this is a deterrent for others?
—Shahbaz Naseem, by email

An appeal to Anna
Dear Anna, kindly start the fight on crime against women and campaign that the government make tough laws to deal with the offenders in all cases of harassment of  women. Let’s make India a country where women are truly empowered.
—Ranjeeta K, by email

Equal status, equal hardship
Apropos of “Reservation doesn’t make women equal”, it is an irony that women’s groups that shout about equality of the sexes and equal status also campaign for more reservation and special rights. If women are on par with men, they should be bold enough to give any special status, undergo the hardships of travelling like men have to. It is my feeling that senior citizens, the differently-abled people and children require special treatment because of their condition. Amid the recent noise over special treatment and security for women, it is heartening to see that there is someone who stands up firmly against special treatment.
—Ameya Phalke, Mumbai

Well done, Neelam
Well done, Neelam Rajput. It was a fabulous achievement by the runner-up in the 21km run of the DNA I Can Women’s half marathon, who had suffered a head injury in August. She had to spend over a month in bed, but she grappled with it and was well supported by her family. This proves that every distress might just be the tip of the iceberg if one takes the courage to fight through it. I salute Neelam for her effort.
—Sahil Ahmad, by email  

Thank you for the I Can women’s marathon
It was a joy to see the huge response to the Stayfree Women For Change DNA I Can women’s half marathon. It was a welcome event for Mumbaikars who suffer a monotonous life in the city. The wide spectrum of women – the young and the aged, personalities from the world of business and entertainment, even the differently-abled and mentally-challenged – was proof of the enthusiasm that was generated. Even the weather was not oppressive. Akshay Kumar must be complimented for his participation. Congratulations to DNA for organising the marathon and succeeding in generating interest and excitement in the event.
—Jayanthy Subramaniam, Mumbai

Looking the other way
I wonder why the so-called secularists have not raised their voices over the royal treatment extended to the Pakistan prime minister’s visit to Ajmer Sharif. Or does this have something to do with the politics of minority appeasement? For, had it been an issue involving the majority community they would have raised a hue and cry that would have been amplified by an ever-willing media. The external affairs minister was totally  engaged in hosting the Pakistan leader, even though certain sections had expressed  resentment over the visit. This is evidence of the UPA’s arrogance towards the sensitivities of the majority which will cause considerable harm. Of course, every  absurdity will meet its death sometime. Let us hope that the nation is freed from the hands of such an unthinking, unfeeling leadership.
—VS Ganeshan, Bangalore

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