Samir Kelekar wrote on Goanet: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Khawateen-cant-discard-purdah-for-politics/articleshow/5673989.cms
Marshall and Sandeep, defenders of "freedom of speech", check this out. Have some guts to write a while diatribe against this! samir ---------------------------------------- My response: Samir, What guts does one need to share opinions? I have my own issues with religion and I have made them clear on several previous occasions. I endorse Taslima Nasreen’s views on the burqa (http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?233670 ) and I fully share her concerns. I strongly condemn the violence that is being perpetrated against her by extremist elements and I also unequivocally condemn the Political parties (which include the Congress, the BJP, the Left and others) for adopting double standards and for failing to protect our Artists, writers and other creative and cultural practitioners. The concepts of God and Religion have been used consistently by the stronger to suppress the weaker and it goes without saying that the 3 major religions of the World - Christianity, Islam and Hinduism - have traditionally always been hostile towards women. Christianity is much better now. Hinduism is reforming slowly while Islam continues to be held hostage by its orthodox religious adherents. If I had the power to legislate, I would fully support the right to criticize religions. I would also ban the forcible imposition of the burqa, loudspeakers in religious places, religious education in schools and other educational institutions for children, caste and other discriminatory practices, etc. I would also demolish all the illegalities happening in the name of religion like illegal roadside shrines. In my opinion, a true secular society would think on these lines. The sad part about our democracy is that the believers want the right to freely propagate their own beliefs, even if the beliefs might be unscientific, irrational, absurd and weird, even if the beliefs are against the cherished principles of freedom, liberty and equality, even if the beliefs are against human rights but they will oppose even valid criticism against their beliefs. That is my principal grouse against religion and its adherents. That they do not believe in the principles of reciprocity. The ugly genie of religious intolerance will keep popping out from the religious lamps that they hold. They want full freedoms but will deny others theirs. If somebody will say anything that goes against their beliefs, they will complain about sentiments being hurt. They will also indulge in violent activities, street rioting, mob violence, fatwas and will do anything and everything to suppress the other person’s rights and freedoms. A short time back, I posted the following two articles: Johann Hari: Why should I respect these oppressive religions? http://tinyurl.com/d8u5ok Johann Hari: Despite these riots, I stand by what I wrote http://tinyurl.com/bny9ma The arguments used by the author to support his contentions are nothing short of brilliant. I agree entirely with what he says. In a true democracy, the cherished principles of Freedom of speech and expression must cut both ways. If you want to say that religion is good, you must also hear out why religion is bad. The “Quid Pro Quo” must exist without which reform just won’t happen. Cheers, Sandeep