Focus on the main issue
The news of the brutal murder of an Indian villager by an angry mob, alleging that he was in possession of beef, or cow meat, was terrible to read (“Tempers fray as Kejriwal visits mob frenzy victim’s family”, Gulf News, October 4). The rumour that he was in custody of beef emanated from a village priest, which then went viral, prompting other villagers to unleash violence and commit such a heinous crime. More often than not, rabble rousing by community leaders, who vent their anger against a section of society, activates hatred and forces people to get the job done. Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government assumed power in India, there have been a number of damaging incidents, which often dent the premise of religious tolerance and minority rights. These are a part of the Indian constitution and should be respected. It appears that such preposterous attitudes towards religious minorities are not limited to the BJP alone. The law and order agencies appointed by the government played a covert role by ignoring the merits of the case. The local police acted ludicrously, focusing on the culpability of the alleged. They sent the meat for forensic testing at a lab, instead of prioritising a chase to catch the culprits who killed the innocent man. One of the federal ministers made a tepid statement on the event, as if it were a routine incident. Elsewhere, as part of the ‘Make in India’ campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocates exports that include the burgeoning meat industry. The people who are a part of this don’t think twice before slaughtering an animal, regardless of their religious sentiments. So, to me, it seems like it doesn’t matter what happens, rather who does it.
From Mr Salim Panthodi
Abu Dhabi
Alienation with extremism
India, despite being a secular country, has banned beef in certain regions just for political reasons even though beef has never been banned in the Hindu scriptures. There is also evidence found in the Hindu scriptures explaining the permissions for eating beef for all Hindus. So, Indian Hindus should understand the conspiracy of the political parties like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to alienate Muslims and condemn such behaviours.
From Ms Yousufa
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld on request
Eat what you like
We should ignore what former Indian Supreme Court judge Markande Katju has said (“Cow cannot be anyone’s mother, it’s just another animal — Katju”, Gulf News, October 4). Such matters are about one’s faith, but Katju is trying to project it at a higher level. People can eat what they want to; there is no need to discuss it in public. He is obviously just trying to get the media’s attention.
From Mr Ravi Roheywal
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Why does it affect you?
When this man [Markande Katju] spoke the truth, it hurt a lot of people’s sentiments. But, I think what he said is true. I know many people who eat beef despite their religious sentiments. They claim to be vegetarians, but I have seen them eating red meat at office parties. Why do his statements then affect people so much?
From Mr Mohi Al Deen Bawa
Chennai, India
Facebook comment
Manmade issue
Many of the difficulties and hardships that we face are created by us. Sometimes, humans are too selfish towards themselves and others.
From Ms Aggufran Victor
Tanzania
Facebook comment
Freedom to practice religion
In response to the university niqab ban in Egypt, I think that it’s their country and no one has the right to dictate what they need to do (“University niqab ban fuels election debate”, Gulf News, October 4). But, such a ban is a violation of human rights and the personal freedom of their citizens. They are preventing someone from practicing their religion. This was not expected from a country like Egypt.
From Mr Noor Qadeem Khan
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Let them deal with it
I think that outsiders and the media do not need to fuel this issue any further. Let Egypt sort it out.
From Mr Antony Melros
UAE
Facebook comment
Dependence on internet can be tricky
The response time to emergencies and natural disasters has reduced drastically in recent times (“Netizens help respond to natural disasters”, Gulf News, October 4). But, thanks to increased dependence on social media and the internet, it has made it easier for relief and rescue teams to reach the affected areas. However, it is not wise for volunteers to rely entirely on social media for updates on the situation, since there is a chance of people sharing and spreading fake photographs and incorrect information or locations over the internet. This will not only delay rescue efforts, but also lead to further damage or loss of lives. To be able to determine the authenticity of the news and its source is a challenging task when it comes to news on social media. I feel it takes more time to differentiate between valid news and rumours, than to provide assistance and act in an emergency.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Fuelling low self-esteem
I have known some women in my life who have shopping addictions (‘Depressed women with low-self esteem prone to shopping addiction’, Gulf News, October 1). It was all about depression and low self-esteem, often related to marital issues.
From Ms Maitha Al Khalifa Abineheet
Dubai
Facebook comment
Why does Modi decide?
Why is the former Pakistani cricketer, Wasim Akram, pleading with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about whether there should be an India-Pakistan series to begin with (‘Akram pleads with Modi to clear India-Pakistan series’, Gulf News, October 2)? If Modi has to approve cricket matches, there is already a problem. Politics shouldn’t be interfering in sports. It’s the wrong angle altogether, and we expect better from Akram because he should be tackling why this is not a political decision.
From Mr Sajj
UAE
Website comment
Self control
Usually when we talk about control we only think of controlling others or situations, and we rarely ever think about self control. Controlling ourselves is understood as something difficult and painful. So, we force ourselves to change or adapt our thoughts, words and behaviour with a great deal of difficulty. This further makes it difficult for us to have the interest for self control. To have control over ourselves means to be a master. My thoughts, words and behaviour need to be according to my orders. This is real self control. For this we need the practice of being a master and not to become a slave to anything, even if it is something that belongs to us. The more we practice the consciousness of being a master, everything that you have will naturally obey your orders.
From Mr Ali Al Aradi
UAE
A commendable performance
The title of the article about team Zimbabwe beating Pakistan could more appropriately have been named “Zimbabwe gifted win in their second ODI against Pakistan” (“Zimbabwe escape to victory on rain-rule despite Malek heroics”, Gulf News, October 4). By no stretch of imagination can the result of this match be termed a ‘victory’. While not taking anything away from Chamu Chibhabha’s performance, I was quite disappointed that the article focused more on Zimbabwe’s innings rather than Pakistan’s magnificent fight back and the excellent role played by Shoaib Malik. I was appalled by the decision of the umpires, as were the commentators, to stop the match with just 12 balls to go, thereby depriving Malik the opportunity of scoring a very well-deserved century, ably assisted by Yasir Shah, and winning the match, of which there was a strong probability. Last, but not least, cricket — probably more than any other sport — is considered a ‘gentleman’s game’, epitomised by a sense of sportsmanship, a quality in which Sikandar Raza, at least in this match, seemed to be sorely lacking.
From Mr Saeed ul Haq
UAE
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