On Mon, 2006-11-27 at 17:20 -0800, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > From: "Sachin Phadte" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [Goanet] Holland considers saree ban
> A blanket ban on the burqa is something that is extreme. There are, > however, > some security issues that need to be considered in terms of public > good. Probably there is some validity in such a stand, just as there is in Jack Straw's statement that it is difficult to connect to people who have their faces covered (human interaction does rely on face-to-face contact to some extent). But this issue can no longer be considered objectively, given the anti-Islam feeling drummed up by the so-called war on terror and the overall demonisation of Muslims. Also, security threats can be handled without a blanket ban, e.g, you can have women police officers available to do checking of burqa-clad persons. A blanket ban can only alienate an already under-attack Muslim community further. To take another example, in Pune and Bangalore, cities with high levels of automobile pollution, it is common to see women driving two-wheelers with dupattas and scarves wrapped round their faces. Is this not a security risk? -- for that matter is not a full-face helmet a security risk, let us not forget that ex-COS Arun Vaidya was assassinated by motorcycle-borne assailants in Pune. But I have yet to see calls for banning such face coverings. The Holland case is nothing but the fear of the 'other' carried to silly extremes, you start with the burqa and then move to the saree and who knows what next? And it is deplorable that a cardinal, of all people, had to join this clamour. What difference is there between the cardinal's statement and what the Bajrang Dal in India says, that women should not wear 'foreign' apparel like trousers and skirts? All in the name of 'respecting, traditions, culture' etc. Beware the culture police, whatever guise they appear under. > -- Question everything -- Karl Marx ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------
