Harsh punishment
We have no idea how traumatic it is for a girl to go through this [rape] (“India: Gang-rape of class 10 student rocks West Bengal”, Gulf News, January 14). Firstly, the Indian government should restrict adult sites that provoke or give people wrong ideas. How many criminals got immediate penalties in the past two years? The punishment for a crime as bad as rape should be really harsh. If the punishment is effective, the result will be that people will think twice before committing the crime.
From Ms Asma Sid
Dubai
Heinous crime
I am ashamed to call myself an Indian when I have to read such news about India. I would only have to say that the fear factor about rape is still missing in India. The sadistic criminals feel, or should I say are sure, that they will get away with a small jail term even if they commit such a heinous crime. It is high time that the Indian government stopped talking and started acting on such cases. If there are a few public executions, I think it will put fear in the minds of people and stop them from even thinking of such a crime.
From Mr Santhosh
Dubai
Website comment
Not a joke
There has to be harsher punishment for such crimes, without parole. People think that this matter is a joke. It doesn’t matter whether the accused are young or even if it is their first crime. If they have committed a grave crime, they should be taught a lesson or given severe punishment. The authorities need to stop thinking about human rights or the connections that the accused’s family has. Think of the rape victim who has to live with what she has gone through.
From Mr Mohammad
UK
Website comment
Fresh air
Smoking may be proven to be bad for one’s health but breathing polluted air is not any healthier (“Tougher measures to deter UAE smokers”, Gulf News, January 14)! More needs to be done to control vehicle and industrial emissions. Why is the daily air pollution data not published here like in other countries? Air measuring devices are installed in a few places, but many more are needed in congested areas. Smokers in the end won’t care what a pack of cigarettes costs, but authorities are responsible for the health and welfare of residents. Clean air is as important as clean water and safe food.
From Mr Louie Tedesco
Dubai
Less smokers
The proposal by the government to increase the price of tobacco is very important to all the people in the UAE, especially the youngsters. Every person thinks differently about smoking cigarettes. At least there is hope that the number of smokers in the UAE will reduce.
From Mr Mohamad Shadab
Dubai
Treat art as art
This was an art installation - a project (“Dress laced with verses from Quran sparks row”, Gulf News, January 12). It was never a commercial design for a dress. It is the same as a painting with Quranic verses on it. People need to understand something before reacting. Pointless reaction achieves nothing other than a negative image, and people end up thinking that Muslims do not possess the capability of debate or understanding. And this is not right. So, let us look at art as art, not as an anti-faith statement.
From Ms Athena Khan
Dubai
Clear understanding
The person who insults a religion should be severely punished. The student is not a child who still needs a parent’s consent to do anything. At this age she has a very clear understanding of where she is going and what she is doing.
From Mr Ali
Sharjah
Website comment
No criticism
I believe this was intentionally done. The college was aware of this project and the professor or head of the college should have objected. I think the person who approved the design and the student who created it need to be punished. And in the future, there should be a rule in the college that no criticism should be posted or approved for publication regarding any religion or cast, especially if it publicly harms its image.
From Mr Zameer
Sharjah
Website comment
United voice
For many people, I think it has become a trend to insult Islam, in all sorts of circles and in all forms. The absence of a unified stand by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), a committee to chase such culprits legally and the incapability of the majority of Muslim leaders, is responsible for this occurring again and again.
From Mr Salman
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Right emotion
The design of the dress is beautiful. I just wish that the designer had not portrayed her perspective using religion. It is so unfortunate. It is a subject that should not be used in any manner other than for its purpose. The Quran is a sacred book. Art is not always about making something beautiful. Art is a medium for getting a message across and sometimes that message is an emotion other than happiness and beauty. It could be anger, sadness or rage. In Western countries, artists have used art as a tool to make a political statement about society for a thousand years. Sometimes some things need to be done to produce the right emotion in the audience, it is known as “catharsis”.
From Ms Sandra Jane Peters
UAE
Facebook comment
Your choice
It seems like people are very easily offended. You need to look at the intention behind every action. In this case, there was no intention to offend or insult anyone. People are free to express themselves. The rest is up to you, if you choose to be offended, well, so be it!
From Mr Daniel Ochirosi
Dubai
Hosting city
Now that Dubai has won the Expo 2020 bid, it is concerning to note that there are still the banners and advertisements around the emirate still show Dubai as a “candidate city”. With the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) currently in progress, it gives misleading information to the tourists visiting Dubai. I request the authorities to change the wordings from candidate city to hosting city.
From Ms Jayashree C.
Dubai
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