Be open to the world
Your overtly biased article on why Indians celebrate Halloween is honestly just a little sad and pathetic. Trick or treating is a part of your tradition, isn't it? And as far as a good bit of fun is considered, why go to the extent of insulting a good chunk of our population? Maybe you should look into a more unbiased reasons of why we celebrate. We do have our own festivals and saying we had "about 20 of them last month" shows how much respect you have for other cultures. -Blinge Mango
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It's only a little bit of fun, I think everyone should join in instead of over reacting! -Ramya Giri
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It’s an irony that you are blaming our nation for being racist while writing such a racist post yourself. Apparently we know more about Halloween then you know about India. You are right about one thing though; when we have so many wonderful festival celebrating family values and our spiritual roots why did people go for a superficial festival like Halloween. It seems like our elders are rightly worrying about degradation of moral fibre.
It could be for another reason also. Maybe people in this nation are being more open to the world and are trying to embrace other culture but of all people you won't understand because you are confined in your own little world totally oblivious to the virtues of other culture. Still if you feel so righteous about your viewpoint, try opening the forum for comment rather than asking people to send comment to mail. You will see yourself how many people from your own culture will agree with you. -Rinku Meena
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So very well put ! -Simran Bedi
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I am a Roman Catholic and Halloween is "All Souls day". "Bring" a holiday in??? Do u guys recognise Indian Catholics in the county even? Or are only the "Hindu" holidays allowed? Please get your facts right before making absurd assumptions.You are no different than someone who says, "oh u live in India do u ride to work on an elephant?"-Emma
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First of all, I want to write an open letter to all those who are so sore and bitter in life, that they spend their time writing open letters.
Apart from the couple of paragraphs where you make fun of how Indians bring up their kids as total a-socials, I think you guys need to mind your own business. You don't seem to care when people celebrate Valentine’s Day every year. For that matter, every other day we celebrate, Fathers,Mothers, heart, Health, Pulse to WORLD SHIT DAY, is from the west. if you have nothing to write about, DON'T. Just wanted to say, don't be lame, because people like me, don't have enough time to write an open letter, but can afford to send an email. -Likitha Nair
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You guys need to chill. -Sandro Sadhukhan
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You say you people are careful of being racist right then writing this article is the biggest racist attempt ever done. Before commenting on others please have a look at your own culture where your own family members fail to acknowledge each other and where having step parents is a way of showing off in your society.
I'd not like to go on about it anymore. But would just like to say that be more humble and not racist in everything you say. Don't try to bring your country down by posting such nonsensical posts where you show how well you've been brought up where I think you were taught to disrespect every single person, country and what not.
India as a country is only growing by trying to be more global. India is not traditional anymore where they want their daughters to be married as soon as they finish graduation. India has its own negatives but why look at them when there are so many positives.
In conclusion try changing your attitude towards others and learn to respect. I have no grudges against your country but will sure have no respect for it if people like you have such narrow mind in thinking such stupid things. -Deeksha Dinesh
* * *
God! U hate this country so much and take everything in such a bad light that you can't see the good things! Sarcasm seems to be your favorite timepass! -Ajinkya Vekhande
One journalist takes a plunge into electoral politics in Maharastra
The All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen is a communal party just like Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena or Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. But even in such communal parties, there are those who are secular. For example, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was popular among Muslims because of his secular outlook. Let us wait and see if Imtiaz Jaleel can set such an example.-Obaid Siddiqui
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This comment is in reference to your article titled, "Behind the victory of a Muslim party in Maharashtra, the gamble of a journalist." Its unfortunate that educated people like Imtiaz have resorted to the politics of spreading hate to gain political mileage. If he was honest about his intentions about helping his community, then he wouldn't have employed The All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's tactics of spreading hatred to collect votes. He could have joined some other Muslim party that was not involved in spreading hate messages.-Anirudh Deshpande
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This article establishes a balanced conclusion-Radha Purushotham
Representation of Muslims in the new Maharashtra assembly
This comment is in reference to the article titled, "New Maharashtra assembly has lowest number of Muslims ever." In the article, the writers say, "However, the performance of All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen hides however a bleaker picture of the representation of Muslims in a state that has never sent a single Muslim MP to the Lok Sabha." I just wanted to point out that AR Antulay has been the Member of Parliament from Raigad in the 9th and 10th Lok Sabha.-Saad Mahmood
One-sided representation of the riots in East Delhi's Trilokpuri area
This article is a perfect example of the "sickular" trick being unashamedly used in support of Muslims. In my opinion, it is the Muslims, who started the riots at Trilokpuri. The condition of hapless Hindus, who suffered gunshot wounds and had their place of worship attacked, has found no place in this blatantly communal article.-Partha Kansabanik
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I am a secular Indian, though there is a feeling that this story represents only one side of the story. Did the writer visit female victims from the other community? Is she sure that ladies from the other community did not suffer? If you write about such events, then kindly represent views from both communities, rather than depicting one side of the story!-Rahul Ranjjan
Does Mumbai University produce more billionaires than the IITs?
Your article is slightly misleading because it does not talk about how those students became billionaires? I'm not the one for stereotypes, but there is a reason why they exist. Stereotypes are almost statistically correct conceptions. Mumbai is a hub for the rich and successful. Students from such families are a bit spoilt and prefer to conduct their college education in Mumbai. When they graduate and inherit the family business, they only need an average brain to build upon what's already there. Getting into the IITs is much more challenging. The IITs are seen by many aspirants as a means to break out of the middle class and enter the elite class. Do you think being an alumni of a college has anything to do with becoming a billionaire? Most billionaires out there earned that amount of wealth because they own a company. Earning a billion dollars from a job is rare!-K Chetan
Consider 'hygiene quotes' on a daily basis, BJP minister writes to editors
Sanitary conditions and non-availability of potable water due to industrial and sewage pollution are the most pressing concerns we face today. Perhaps, the most important goal is not only to stress on the construction of lavatories, but also on proper sewage disposal. This would prevent the spread of infection and indirectly improve the nutritional status of the population. Unfortunately, however, much of this needs to be done by the state governments, that need spend sufficient funds to alleviate such concerns. The common citizen and the media can take up informational or educational campaigns. This campaign requires a dedicated and sustained effort from all sides.-Khorshed Pavri
Elections in Brazil and the parallels with India
Excellent article by the author! He puts the pieces together to provides a real picture of the two countries and their respective elections.-Ashley D'Mello
Chetan Bhagat's 'Half Girlfriend'
The author's imagination is just a third-hand narrative.-S Jha
The fight against moral policing and live-in relationships
Hats off to Aparna and many other women who stood up for their choices. I think nobody should have the authority to play the role of a moral police in the private lives of people. The law protects privacy and personal choice.-Megha Singh
We welcome your comments at
letters@scroll.in.
Your overtly biased article on why Indians celebrate Halloween is honestly just a little sad and pathetic. Trick or treating is a part of your tradition, isn't it? And as far as a good bit of fun is considered, why go to the extent of insulting a good chunk of our population? Maybe you should look into a more unbiased reasons of why we celebrate. We do have our own festivals and saying we had "about 20 of them last month" shows how much respect you have for other cultures. -Blinge Mango
* * *
It's only a little bit of fun, I think everyone should join in instead of over reacting! -Ramya Giri
* * *
It’s an irony that you are blaming our nation for being racist while writing such a racist post yourself. Apparently we know more about Halloween then you know about India. You are right about one thing though; when we have so many wonderful festival celebrating family values and our spiritual roots why did people go for a superficial festival like Halloween. It seems like our elders are rightly worrying about degradation of moral fibre.
It could be for another reason also. Maybe people in this nation are being more open to the world and are trying to embrace other culture but of all people you won't understand because you are confined in your own little world totally oblivious to the virtues of other culture. Still if you feel so righteous about your viewpoint, try opening the forum for comment rather than asking people to send comment to mail. You will see yourself how many people from your own culture will agree with you. -Rinku Meena
* * *
So very well put ! -Simran Bedi
* * *
I am a Roman Catholic and Halloween is "All Souls day". "Bring" a holiday in??? Do u guys recognise Indian Catholics in the county even? Or are only the "Hindu" holidays allowed? Please get your facts right before making absurd assumptions.You are no different than someone who says, "oh u live in India do u ride to work on an elephant?"-Emma
* * *
First of all, I want to write an open letter to all those who are so sore and bitter in life, that they spend their time writing open letters.
Apart from the couple of paragraphs where you make fun of how Indians bring up their kids as total a-socials, I think you guys need to mind your own business. You don't seem to care when people celebrate Valentine’s Day every year. For that matter, every other day we celebrate, Fathers,Mothers, heart, Health, Pulse to WORLD SHIT DAY, is from the west. if you have nothing to write about, DON'T. Just wanted to say, don't be lame, because people like me, don't have enough time to write an open letter, but can afford to send an email. -Likitha Nair
* * *
You guys need to chill. -Sandro Sadhukhan
* * *
You say you people are careful of being racist right then writing this article is the biggest racist attempt ever done. Before commenting on others please have a look at your own culture where your own family members fail to acknowledge each other and where having step parents is a way of showing off in your society.
I'd not like to go on about it anymore. But would just like to say that be more humble and not racist in everything you say. Don't try to bring your country down by posting such nonsensical posts where you show how well you've been brought up where I think you were taught to disrespect every single person, country and what not.
India as a country is only growing by trying to be more global. India is not traditional anymore where they want their daughters to be married as soon as they finish graduation. India has its own negatives but why look at them when there are so many positives.
In conclusion try changing your attitude towards others and learn to respect. I have no grudges against your country but will sure have no respect for it if people like you have such narrow mind in thinking such stupid things. -Deeksha Dinesh
* * *
God! U hate this country so much and take everything in such a bad light that you can't see the good things! Sarcasm seems to be your favorite timepass! -Ajinkya Vekhande
One journalist takes a plunge into electoral politics in Maharastra
The All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen is a communal party just like Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena or Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. But even in such communal parties, there are those who are secular. For example, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was popular among Muslims because of his secular outlook. Let us wait and see if Imtiaz Jaleel can set such an example.-Obaid Siddiqui
* * *
This comment is in reference to your article titled, "Behind the victory of a Muslim party in Maharashtra, the gamble of a journalist." Its unfortunate that educated people like Imtiaz have resorted to the politics of spreading hate to gain political mileage. If he was honest about his intentions about helping his community, then he wouldn't have employed The All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's tactics of spreading hatred to collect votes. He could have joined some other Muslim party that was not involved in spreading hate messages.-Anirudh Deshpande
* * *
This article establishes a balanced conclusion-Radha Purushotham
Representation of Muslims in the new Maharashtra assembly
This comment is in reference to the article titled, "New Maharashtra assembly has lowest number of Muslims ever." In the article, the writers say, "However, the performance of All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen hides however a bleaker picture of the representation of Muslims in a state that has never sent a single Muslim MP to the Lok Sabha." I just wanted to point out that AR Antulay has been the Member of Parliament from Raigad in the 9th and 10th Lok Sabha.-Saad Mahmood
One-sided representation of the riots in East Delhi's Trilokpuri area
This article is a perfect example of the "sickular" trick being unashamedly used in support of Muslims. In my opinion, it is the Muslims, who started the riots at Trilokpuri. The condition of hapless Hindus, who suffered gunshot wounds and had their place of worship attacked, has found no place in this blatantly communal article.-Partha Kansabanik
* * *
I am a secular Indian, though there is a feeling that this story represents only one side of the story. Did the writer visit female victims from the other community? Is she sure that ladies from the other community did not suffer? If you write about such events, then kindly represent views from both communities, rather than depicting one side of the story!-Rahul Ranjjan
Does Mumbai University produce more billionaires than the IITs?
Your article is slightly misleading because it does not talk about how those students became billionaires? I'm not the one for stereotypes, but there is a reason why they exist. Stereotypes are almost statistically correct conceptions. Mumbai is a hub for the rich and successful. Students from such families are a bit spoilt and prefer to conduct their college education in Mumbai. When they graduate and inherit the family business, they only need an average brain to build upon what's already there. Getting into the IITs is much more challenging. The IITs are seen by many aspirants as a means to break out of the middle class and enter the elite class. Do you think being an alumni of a college has anything to do with becoming a billionaire? Most billionaires out there earned that amount of wealth because they own a company. Earning a billion dollars from a job is rare!-K Chetan
Consider 'hygiene quotes' on a daily basis, BJP minister writes to editors
Sanitary conditions and non-availability of potable water due to industrial and sewage pollution are the most pressing concerns we face today. Perhaps, the most important goal is not only to stress on the construction of lavatories, but also on proper sewage disposal. This would prevent the spread of infection and indirectly improve the nutritional status of the population. Unfortunately, however, much of this needs to be done by the state governments, that need spend sufficient funds to alleviate such concerns. The common citizen and the media can take up informational or educational campaigns. This campaign requires a dedicated and sustained effort from all sides.-Khorshed Pavri
Elections in Brazil and the parallels with India
Excellent article by the author! He puts the pieces together to provides a real picture of the two countries and their respective elections.-Ashley D'Mello
Chetan Bhagat's 'Half Girlfriend'
The author's imagination is just a third-hand narrative.-S Jha
The fight against moral policing and live-in relationships
Hats off to Aparna and many other women who stood up for their choices. I think nobody should have the authority to play the role of a moral police in the private lives of people. The law protects privacy and personal choice.-Megha Singh
