Put ‘unity in diversity’ in action

Following are my thoughts on the latest headlines with regards to India. One is the ban of the trade and possession of beef in Maharashtra — something I consider simply crazy! While the constitution says that India is a secular country and that the country tolerates the practice, propagation and needs of all religions in the country. Yet, the ‘Hindu-spirit’ driven politicians of the Maharashtra government do not seem to abide by the rules of the country when they say that ‘Hindu’s aren’t supposed to eat beef, and so the whole state shouldn’t eat it.’

This is a cosmopolitan state and the needs of diverse communities need to be tolerated beyond the printed slogan of “Unity in Diversity”. Even though the ruling party — Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supports Hinduism at large, they simply have no right to do this move. The trade of beef is the profession of many that are the ‘only bread-winners’ of their families. What will happen to them? The issue of religion has been subtly touched here, and the High Court shouldn’t have allowed that. Such laws are the stepping stones to communal riots. Instead of closing abattoirs, the government should place a check on rising epidemics like the swine flu and do something about it. In a huge country with multiple issues, the concerns of a large public, of the poor and needy should be more important than those regarding a particular sect of society.

The latest addition that depicted the narrow-mindedness of the government is the ban of the BBC documentary “India’s Daughter”. The rapist is indeed arrogant and shameless to put the blame of the crime on the victim by saying, “She should have dressed more decently and shouldn’t have fought back but allowed the rape to go on...” But these remarks shouldn’t have prompted the censor board to ask BBC to pull out the video. I absolutely agree with what that girl’s father said. The video would have given the people an insight to the dirty attitude of rapists. Only the truth behind the curtains can bring into light what is often ignored. Banning such videos will only increase the number of illegal downloads. Let’s wait and watch if the narrow-minded board can revert its decision.

— The reader is an Indian student based in Dubai.