One-nation theory
Narendra Modi's "Akhand Bharat" should rejoin all the broken hearts ("Back to the brink: Pakistan's sharp response shows how seriously it takes the RSS-BJP relationship"). Pakistan is no longer an illusion but a reality accepted by every Indian. If an independent opinion poll were to be conducted, I am sure that more than 90% of Indians would want Pakistan to exist with honour and dignity.
India has never been an aggressor and no emperor of Bharat has ever attacked a neighbouring country to boost his ego. It will not only be suicidal to think of a war with Pakistan but it will also make a total mockery of the age-old Vedic ideal of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam".
I have faith in the collective wisdom of the Union cabinet. They will never commit the blunder of another war with a neighbour, which in reality is India's twin brother. – Swami Sri Atmananda
***
The RSS' statement doesn't in any way convey the territorial occupation of Pakistan. The cliche of "Akhand Bharat" may have disputed connotations. But if appended by the statement that followed it, which is "we are part of the same family and even brothers fight", makes it evident that the RSS accepts Pakistan's individuality.
A confederation of friendly nations on the lines of the European Union could be a great and powerful bloc. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation could be transformed into one. And that's what the RSS' idea of of "Akhand Bharat" is about. So please don't interpret things without the full context just to make a point. – Rishabh Sharma
***
It's a pity that the Indian leadership has squandered another chance to resolve outstanding issues with its neighbour. It has scuttled, at least in the short term, any hope of a peaceful subcontinent. – Ashraf Chaudhry
Pointless rewrite
One may write a new "scripture" by culling out passages from old texts or by writing new stanzas in Sanskrit ("VHP is compiling a ‘new Hindu scripture’ to provide religious sanction for Hindutva"). The question is whether a scripture of that kind is necessary.
No matter what new things are collected and edited, the old texts will remain, history as it has been will still be there and reality will be there for anyone to see and experience. There cannot be a more ridiculous thesis than the claim that untouchability is a post-Islamic phenomenon in India. It is so inane that it is not worthy of a debate. – G Ramakrishna
Pinning the blame
The writing was not that impressive ("View from Pakistan: Modi's anti-terror talk is actually making the neighbourhood more dangerous"). The author appears to blame Narendra Modi for the failure of the talks. Note how Modi was cited instead of India. The article conceals the fact that the anti-India terror lobby will never be tackled. It simultaneously highlights Pakistan's anti-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan to cement its commitment to the cause, forgetting that Islamabad breeds terror in the first place. – Devashish Joshi
Cultural misgivings
Mahesh Sharma's views may not be representative of the ruling party's agenda ("Thank you, minister, for talking about the ‘cultural pollution’ in India"). He is either too much a novice or just wants to ignore the facts. When he attributes western influence to the breaking of joint families, he forgets that it's a necessary corollary to rising urbanisation for family members to go their separate ways.
Does it really matter that an Indian student should recite a Sanskrit couplet? When 90% of Indians do not understand that language, how does make a difference if a student doesn't recite a couplet in Sanskrit on foreign soil?
Sharma should be made aware that the multi-billion dollar IT industry is prospering in India mainly because Indians learnt English unlike the Chinese. I am not at all against resurrecting Indian heritage and culture. But one has to realise and accept that every culture has its pluses and minuses. – Rajkumar Lacchiramka
***
The minister seems to only know the history of the Gita, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Subsequent history is a closed chapter for him. He obviously does not understand – or chooses to ignore – the dynamics of time.
A nation that does not know its history has no future. Is the minister trying to make the nation forget what has happened over the centuries and instead plaster his notions of culture over it? – Navjeevan Khosla
Artistic freedom
At which point would you believe that freedom of expression has transcended all barriers and turned offensive ("Why MF Husain painted Hindu figures (but not Muslim ones) in the nude")? MF Hussain is a classic example of a great artist who made an error of judgement while depicting Indian goddesses through his style.
When have we become all encompassing in the way we judge people? Instead of calling a spade a spade, some pseudo-secular individuals are hell bent on defending blasphemic content in the name of diversity and tolerance. This is a blatant case of hurting Hindu sensibilities by portraying an Indian goddess nude and hence it is condemnable.– Sumanth Kumar
***
The writer should understand why Hindus are furious with this so-called painter. Girish Shahane is defending MF Husain on the grounds that Indian history has had artists who have painted goddess' nude. But those painters belonged to a different league and a higher spiritual level.
MF Husain is obviously not at that level. He did not paint anything related to Islam in the nude because he would be butchered by members of his own community. – Sri Kotti
***
The "modernist" and "least parochial" Husain saab could have started a tradition of painting nude Islamic paintings to prove that he was not selective while indulging in artistic freedom. – Ipsita Pradeep Rao
Shelter may cause a storm
I understand the plight of Bangladeshi minorities ("On granting citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindus, Modi has been high on rhetoric but low on action"). Narendra Modi may have the right intentions, but there will be havoc in Assam.
The Assamese are justified in fearing that they will lose their land. I suggest distributing these Bangladeshi Hindus across India instead of restricting them to Assam and Bengal.
The present situation may lead to a big riot in Assam. Let's not extend the distance between Assam and Bengal but rather bring their people together. – Chhandita Choudhury
The meat debate
I don't understand this divide about killing animals, keeping our eyes and other senses closed and believing that killing plants is not a crime as they cannot make a sound and their blood (sap) is not red ("Us versus them: Like India, meat divides people even in the US").
Do these so-called non-violent people think that their religion is the best as they hold the ruler's baton? Or are carrying on the British baton of divide and rule? They are supposedly traditional people inclined to believe what suits them and fill their tiny brain-like matter with power and money because that's what matters. – Sheemantika Nag
Misleading account
I am quite puzzled by your decision to publish Mike Archer's article from 2011, sans context, sans rebuttal ("Reality check: Vegetarians, there’s more animal blood on your hands"). The meat ban is ridiculous. But to counter this ban, your responsibility as a mature publication is to offer factual, current and contextual material to the Indian public that is starved of perspective.
Publishing an outdated article – with an over-the-top headline – referring only to Australia and which has little connection with the Indian situation, by an author who has links to a controversial organisation (CSIRO), without carrying the rebuttal in the same publication for context, is unfortunately misleading.
This kind of sensational argumentation will not benefit the cause which I assume you would like to serve, which is that of informed and sensible debates around issues of the day. – Neerja Dasani
***
This is a hair-splitting academic argument to satisfy the taste buds of meat eaters. It's a strong and interesting argument for them to eat more meat.
Practising vegetarianism may lead to the loss of lives of some creatures. But this is unintentional collateral damage as opposed to the targeted killing of animals to satisfy one's taste buds.
As for the targeted killing of mice, a technologiical solution can certainly be found. We are not living in medieval times that we need to eat animals. Agricultural science and technology offer a more humane and civilised way of meeting our food requirements. – Dr. S Himesh
Enforcing vegetarianism
Garga Chatterjee makes an important and valuable point that Hindus are very diverse and this diversity should be protected ("'In my religion, meat is Ma Kali’s prasad': A Shakto Hindu objects to enforced vegetarianism"). However, a few counter-points are in order.
It appears that the author is not only defending the practices of Shakta Hindus, but also that of Kolkatias and Bengalis in general against the "vegetarian Krishna-worshipping business family" types – a likely enough code for a Marwari.
Would the writer also have a problem if the hospital she refers to was run by Bengali Vaishnavites who are strict vegetarians as well? The Ramakrishna Mission – the pride of many a Bengali – runs a hospital in Mumbai dedicated to patients including those who hail from Kolkata. We can confirm that the food is pure vegetarian. Does the writer have a valid complaint against the Mission?
Only Maa Kali knows how many Shaktas have been converted against their will. Will the author make an effort put a stop to this practice? – Sid Duttagupta
Owaisi's Bihar foray
Asaduddin Owaisi can break new ground in BIhar and Uttar Pradesh because he starts at a higher political level than those who made attempts in the past to be the representative Muslim leader ("Can Owaisi break new ground in Bihar and reverse the past trend of the Hindi belt?").
He is young, articulate, brash, ambitious, aggressive and hails from a political family that is well-known in the Andhra and Telangana region. In addition, he is a Member of Parliament.
Even if he fails to succeed in his first attempt, he can build on his record in the future. His bold and aggressive advocacy of Muslim causes and his willingness to induct non-Muslims in his party will remain an incentive for locals to invite him to all minority areas for future contests. – Ghulam Muhammed
E-commerce's evolution
I have a very different take on this subject ("Why India’s online shopping revolution won’t kill brick-and-mortar stores"). My experience and gut feeling tells me that if the logistics improve and the issues involving taxes on e-commerce transactions are resolved, Tier-III cities and smaller towns will further drive the industry.
Despite being rich and prosperous, people living in such places have been unable to purchase several products owing to non-availability. E-commerce could usher in a change. – Rajkumar Lachhiramka
Old wounds
These are sops being distributed by a party which has lost popular support in the state ("Punjab's decision to raise allowances of Blue Star deserters raises troubling questions"). It's a clear reflection of their poor governance. They want to regain support by reopening old wounds. This is not favourable for the country in general and the discipline of the army in particular.
The BJP should reconsider its alliance in the state as it cannot afford to align with such parties. Going alone in Punjab may bring rich dividends sooner rather than later. – Rajkumar Lachhiramka
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letters@scroll.in.
Narendra Modi's "Akhand Bharat" should rejoin all the broken hearts ("Back to the brink: Pakistan's sharp response shows how seriously it takes the RSS-BJP relationship"). Pakistan is no longer an illusion but a reality accepted by every Indian. If an independent opinion poll were to be conducted, I am sure that more than 90% of Indians would want Pakistan to exist with honour and dignity.
India has never been an aggressor and no emperor of Bharat has ever attacked a neighbouring country to boost his ego. It will not only be suicidal to think of a war with Pakistan but it will also make a total mockery of the age-old Vedic ideal of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam".
I have faith in the collective wisdom of the Union cabinet. They will never commit the blunder of another war with a neighbour, which in reality is India's twin brother. – Swami Sri Atmananda
***
The RSS' statement doesn't in any way convey the territorial occupation of Pakistan. The cliche of "Akhand Bharat" may have disputed connotations. But if appended by the statement that followed it, which is "we are part of the same family and even brothers fight", makes it evident that the RSS accepts Pakistan's individuality.
A confederation of friendly nations on the lines of the European Union could be a great and powerful bloc. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation could be transformed into one. And that's what the RSS' idea of of "Akhand Bharat" is about. So please don't interpret things without the full context just to make a point. – Rishabh Sharma
***
It's a pity that the Indian leadership has squandered another chance to resolve outstanding issues with its neighbour. It has scuttled, at least in the short term, any hope of a peaceful subcontinent. – Ashraf Chaudhry
Pointless rewrite
One may write a new "scripture" by culling out passages from old texts or by writing new stanzas in Sanskrit ("VHP is compiling a ‘new Hindu scripture’ to provide religious sanction for Hindutva"). The question is whether a scripture of that kind is necessary.
No matter what new things are collected and edited, the old texts will remain, history as it has been will still be there and reality will be there for anyone to see and experience. There cannot be a more ridiculous thesis than the claim that untouchability is a post-Islamic phenomenon in India. It is so inane that it is not worthy of a debate. – G Ramakrishna
Pinning the blame
The writing was not that impressive ("View from Pakistan: Modi's anti-terror talk is actually making the neighbourhood more dangerous"). The author appears to blame Narendra Modi for the failure of the talks. Note how Modi was cited instead of India. The article conceals the fact that the anti-India terror lobby will never be tackled. It simultaneously highlights Pakistan's anti-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan to cement its commitment to the cause, forgetting that Islamabad breeds terror in the first place. – Devashish Joshi
Cultural misgivings
Mahesh Sharma's views may not be representative of the ruling party's agenda ("Thank you, minister, for talking about the ‘cultural pollution’ in India"). He is either too much a novice or just wants to ignore the facts. When he attributes western influence to the breaking of joint families, he forgets that it's a necessary corollary to rising urbanisation for family members to go their separate ways.
Does it really matter that an Indian student should recite a Sanskrit couplet? When 90% of Indians do not understand that language, how does make a difference if a student doesn't recite a couplet in Sanskrit on foreign soil?
Sharma should be made aware that the multi-billion dollar IT industry is prospering in India mainly because Indians learnt English unlike the Chinese. I am not at all against resurrecting Indian heritage and culture. But one has to realise and accept that every culture has its pluses and minuses. – Rajkumar Lacchiramka
***
The minister seems to only know the history of the Gita, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Subsequent history is a closed chapter for him. He obviously does not understand – or chooses to ignore – the dynamics of time.
A nation that does not know its history has no future. Is the minister trying to make the nation forget what has happened over the centuries and instead plaster his notions of culture over it? – Navjeevan Khosla
Artistic freedom
At which point would you believe that freedom of expression has transcended all barriers and turned offensive ("Why MF Husain painted Hindu figures (but not Muslim ones) in the nude")? MF Hussain is a classic example of a great artist who made an error of judgement while depicting Indian goddesses through his style.
When have we become all encompassing in the way we judge people? Instead of calling a spade a spade, some pseudo-secular individuals are hell bent on defending blasphemic content in the name of diversity and tolerance. This is a blatant case of hurting Hindu sensibilities by portraying an Indian goddess nude and hence it is condemnable.– Sumanth Kumar
***
The writer should understand why Hindus are furious with this so-called painter. Girish Shahane is defending MF Husain on the grounds that Indian history has had artists who have painted goddess' nude. But those painters belonged to a different league and a higher spiritual level.
MF Husain is obviously not at that level. He did not paint anything related to Islam in the nude because he would be butchered by members of his own community. – Sri Kotti
***
The "modernist" and "least parochial" Husain saab could have started a tradition of painting nude Islamic paintings to prove that he was not selective while indulging in artistic freedom. – Ipsita Pradeep Rao
Shelter may cause a storm
I understand the plight of Bangladeshi minorities ("On granting citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindus, Modi has been high on rhetoric but low on action"). Narendra Modi may have the right intentions, but there will be havoc in Assam.
The Assamese are justified in fearing that they will lose their land. I suggest distributing these Bangladeshi Hindus across India instead of restricting them to Assam and Bengal.
The present situation may lead to a big riot in Assam. Let's not extend the distance between Assam and Bengal but rather bring their people together. – Chhandita Choudhury
The meat debate
I don't understand this divide about killing animals, keeping our eyes and other senses closed and believing that killing plants is not a crime as they cannot make a sound and their blood (sap) is not red ("Us versus them: Like India, meat divides people even in the US").
Do these so-called non-violent people think that their religion is the best as they hold the ruler's baton? Or are carrying on the British baton of divide and rule? They are supposedly traditional people inclined to believe what suits them and fill their tiny brain-like matter with power and money because that's what matters. – Sheemantika Nag
Misleading account
I am quite puzzled by your decision to publish Mike Archer's article from 2011, sans context, sans rebuttal ("Reality check: Vegetarians, there’s more animal blood on your hands"). The meat ban is ridiculous. But to counter this ban, your responsibility as a mature publication is to offer factual, current and contextual material to the Indian public that is starved of perspective.
Publishing an outdated article – with an over-the-top headline – referring only to Australia and which has little connection with the Indian situation, by an author who has links to a controversial organisation (CSIRO), without carrying the rebuttal in the same publication for context, is unfortunately misleading.
This kind of sensational argumentation will not benefit the cause which I assume you would like to serve, which is that of informed and sensible debates around issues of the day. – Neerja Dasani
***
This is a hair-splitting academic argument to satisfy the taste buds of meat eaters. It's a strong and interesting argument for them to eat more meat.
Practising vegetarianism may lead to the loss of lives of some creatures. But this is unintentional collateral damage as opposed to the targeted killing of animals to satisfy one's taste buds.
As for the targeted killing of mice, a technologiical solution can certainly be found. We are not living in medieval times that we need to eat animals. Agricultural science and technology offer a more humane and civilised way of meeting our food requirements. – Dr. S Himesh
Enforcing vegetarianism
Garga Chatterjee makes an important and valuable point that Hindus are very diverse and this diversity should be protected ("'In my religion, meat is Ma Kali’s prasad': A Shakto Hindu objects to enforced vegetarianism"). However, a few counter-points are in order.
It appears that the author is not only defending the practices of Shakta Hindus, but also that of Kolkatias and Bengalis in general against the "vegetarian Krishna-worshipping business family" types – a likely enough code for a Marwari.
Would the writer also have a problem if the hospital she refers to was run by Bengali Vaishnavites who are strict vegetarians as well? The Ramakrishna Mission – the pride of many a Bengali – runs a hospital in Mumbai dedicated to patients including those who hail from Kolkata. We can confirm that the food is pure vegetarian. Does the writer have a valid complaint against the Mission?
Only Maa Kali knows how many Shaktas have been converted against their will. Will the author make an effort put a stop to this practice? – Sid Duttagupta
Owaisi's Bihar foray
Asaduddin Owaisi can break new ground in BIhar and Uttar Pradesh because he starts at a higher political level than those who made attempts in the past to be the representative Muslim leader ("Can Owaisi break new ground in Bihar and reverse the past trend of the Hindi belt?").
He is young, articulate, brash, ambitious, aggressive and hails from a political family that is well-known in the Andhra and Telangana region. In addition, he is a Member of Parliament.
Even if he fails to succeed in his first attempt, he can build on his record in the future. His bold and aggressive advocacy of Muslim causes and his willingness to induct non-Muslims in his party will remain an incentive for locals to invite him to all minority areas for future contests. – Ghulam Muhammed
E-commerce's evolution
I have a very different take on this subject ("Why India’s online shopping revolution won’t kill brick-and-mortar stores"). My experience and gut feeling tells me that if the logistics improve and the issues involving taxes on e-commerce transactions are resolved, Tier-III cities and smaller towns will further drive the industry.
Despite being rich and prosperous, people living in such places have been unable to purchase several products owing to non-availability. E-commerce could usher in a change. – Rajkumar Lachhiramka
Old wounds
These are sops being distributed by a party which has lost popular support in the state ("Punjab's decision to raise allowances of Blue Star deserters raises troubling questions"). It's a clear reflection of their poor governance. They want to regain support by reopening old wounds. This is not favourable for the country in general and the discipline of the army in particular.
The BJP should reconsider its alliance in the state as it cannot afford to align with such parties. Going alone in Punjab may bring rich dividends sooner rather than later. – Rajkumar Lachhiramka
