Mailbag

Illogical argument

Sir,

This has reference to news items ''If Smt. Sonia is Italian, then Gujral, Advani are Foreigners, says Poojary.''

While dismissing the question of change of leadership of Congress for the Lok Sabha polls, the Campaign Committee Chairman of the party, Sh. Janardhan Poojary, has said that Smt. Sonia Gandhi would continue to lead the party. So far so good. It is the prerogative of any political party to select its President. But it is one thing to be the President of a party and another to be a candidate for the Post of the Prime Minister of the largest democracy of the world. Who denies that Smt. Sonia Gandhi is a citizen of this country but has she abandoned her Italian citizenship or still continues under Dual Citizenship. Can she deny her Italian lineage ?

While Gujral, Advani, Khurana etc. came over to India has a result of the partition of the country when millions in this Country were uprooted from their hearths and homes and had to cross over to one of the two Newly formed States (and in that case all those who came to India should be treated as Foreigners). Smt Sonia Gandhi came over to India only through a Wed-Lock. The two cannot be taken one and same, any person with a little commonsense can understand. The logic propounded by Sh. Poojary is simply astounding and foolish. To equate A O Hume and Anne Besant with Sonia is all the more preposterous. It is to compare the Sun to a candle, a glow-worm to a 5000 Watt Electric Bulb.

Yours etc...
Daya Krishen
Amphalla, Jammu.

Missionaries do propagate.

Sir,

Kindly refer : ''ROLE OF MISSIONARIES'' by Mr Autar Krishan Razdan (Your mail column dated April 30).

Our country is not a dictatorship or a primitive Zamandari fiefdom or a fascist junkard: it is a free, liberal democracy with sufficiently well-organised form of government. Our democratic system gives to us, citizens of India, a whole charter of rights equivalent to the Declaration of Human Rights to the whole world by the United Nations.

This Charter, among other things, provides that all citizens of India have a right ''freely to profess, practice and propogate religion ''This right, along with all the other rights embodied in our constitution was formulated after a long debate and free exchange of views in the Constituent Assembly before the wording was unanimously agreed upon. It had to be so because the Christian Community in particular was anxious that it should be worded in that manner and the members after a detailed discussion willingly admitted that it should be so because the Christians have been commissioned by their Founder to ''Propagate'' the message that He has given to the human race, and that it knows to do so within the limits of the law of the land and it will have to be so till the end of time. Basic issues of this nature are not to be re-opened every other day to satisfy religious obscurantists and communal fanatics.

The Christian Community, among others, as availed of this right to propagate its ''message' in a highly disciplined, dignified, quiet, peaceful and unobstructive manner for 50 years. It has done so without making any show of it or coming in the way of any activity of anybody else. This is because it propagates its message by quietly practising what it preaches. Christianity does not consist of a set of philosophical obstractions but a way of life to be lived by its followers at all moments of the day. It is by practising its teachings in this manner that it shows to its fellowmen what Christianity is.. It lives its teachings. And seeing the sacrifices, self-denials, sufferings and trials that its followers go through all thier life for the sake of the poor, the illiterate, the downtrodden, the sick, the oppressed, the deserted, the dying and the unwanted some of those around appreciate the teachings of Christ and finally even decide as rational, free human beings to embrace Christianity. This is not a crime. One should rejoice when this happens because there is no force, no fraud, no inducement,no enticement playing any role here. It is exercising one's freedom to do what one feels one should. It is a free willing decision which every human being must be able to make. This is what Christianity means when it talks of propagating its religion. It literally lives its religion at every moment of the day and shows to its neighbours what it means to be a Christian.

India needs religious men and women who will practice what they preach. This is what Christianity does.

Yours etc...
Predhuman K Joseph Dhar
Member, Indian Catholic Press Association.

Atrocities on women

Sir,

Please refer to the article ''Taliban atrocities resound at UNHRC'' by Prof. K N Pandita published in DE dated April 28, 1999.

The article depicts another incidence of atrocities against women. A number of NGOs participating in the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva, spoke of gross violation of Human Rights by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Women are not allowed to move in the market place all by themselves or must be accompanied by their husbands or close blood relations. Outside the four walls of the house, she is required to put on a veil covering every part of her body. What to talk of co-education, even the girl children are not encouraged to go to schools. Women cannot work in offices or commercial concerns.

Violence against women in India too is becoming more frequent and is alarming by on the increase. Rape is not the only motive force behind the crime against women. Often, the ladies living in busy localities are murdered in broad day light, just because they are wearing golden ornament. It looks that there is no radical difference in the position of women in any religion. In Hinduism, she was prevented from studying the vedas or performing any sacrifices. The practice of monogamy among the Christians has raised the status of women in that very community, but still she continues to be dominated in one or the other form. If one agrees with the definition of 'SLAVE' as given by the Plato, who defines him/her as one who accepts from another the purposes which control his/her conduct, then the women are really slaves.

Dr B R Ambedkar made special provision for women and children in the Constitution, ensuring their well being and security. The Hindu Marriage Act 1955 provides a wife two special grounds for divorce- (1) if the husband has another living wife and (2) if he has been guilty of rape, sodomy or bestiality. The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 could not achieve its purpose due to lack of public awareness. In view of the present plight of female prisoners, the National Expert Commission on Women Prisoners 1986-87 recommended that it was necessary to formulate a National Policy on custodial justice to women in keeping with their rights, dignity and status in custody.

Eight of March is celebrated every year as the International Women's Day. The slogan of today's women is ''Equality, Diginity and self respect'. In order to ensure equality of status for the women we have miles to go.

Yours etc....
Vijay Bangotra,
State Gen. Secretary
Budha Club Student Front Jammu.