The article claiming that the Saudi King and George Bush's refusal (for whatever reasons) to visit Raj Ghat is an insult to India and Indians, is sheer rubbish.
Insisting on meaningless protocols and shallow traditions is not consistent with the openness and tolerance of Indian thought and religion. The respect and reverence that the world holds for Mahatma Gandhi will not reduce one iota just because these two dignitaries don't visit Raj Ghat.
In fact, I would rather they don't visit Raj Ghat, than stand there wreath in hand, pretending to pay homage, while actually mumbling nursery rhymes or worse.
its a shame to all of us that our father of the nation was treated in this way.it is now clarified that the mahatma will be rem. only on oct 2nd n that too for political compulsions. let us see all the political parties take out a slogan. the left conducted strikes when US-india excercise but now they r mum.it shows one will indulge in topics where on has vested interest only n not otherwise
Re..we're jus being so silly about this...
by savitha on Feb 20, 2006 04:50 PM Permalink
i think u are so overeacting..its his wish if he doesnt want to visit gandhi's samadhi.and u talk of it being an insult tell me how many times have YOUvisited gandhiji's samadhi and how many indians do we have in india who can claim that they have visited gandhijis samadhi even once..no one has time for such useless things nowadays..
Ritual visit to Bapu\'s Samadhi or not to visit it does not necessarily is not an insult to the great soul. What matter most is sharing his beliefs and ethics. No where the guest Coloumnist throws the light to state that the Saudi King ignores the belief system of Mahatma.
Lebelling The Hindu as the newspaper of left to the centre is travesty of truth. After all The Hindu is the newspaper of its kind who provides space to varities of story regarding different aspects of ideas and interpretation
Rituals are not infact religion. We know that Indian heritage and rligious belief respects all other belief systems in a true secular sprit. The Indian Government does not discirminate agaisnt any body to impose its won pet religious beliefs.
Dont you have anything better to do than creating discrimination and hatred in the mind of people? Go get a life. If the Saudi King does not want to go to Gandhiji's Samadhi, it is his decision. Where is the insult coming from. Did he say that I am not going to the Samadhi because of Gandhiji is so and so, or something like that. He said his faith does not allow him to do that, so just respect it. Offence is only felt when you take it. You are just trying to make an issue out of non-issue. I feel pity for you for trying to create uneasiness among fellow citizens and that is what I call as insult. Get a life dude. "Dandapani, have some thanda pani." :-))
What's your problem buddy? I'm sure Bapu himself wouldn't care less as to who visited his samadhi or who doesn't. Do you accept the techings of Gandhi? Do you follow his principles? If so good for yourself. Remember Gandhiji was more inclined towards spiritual upliftment of every Indian than towards creation of an Indian nation.
The silence shown by the Communists, who turn red at every "imaginary" incident of attack on Indian soverignity , demonstrates that their secular credentials are jaundiced and one eyed!
The Communists have maintained a studied silence for the last 15 years on the ethnic cleansing in Kashmir. Only because the victims were a hapless microscopic community of Hindus.
What the big heck!!! If someone decides not to visit Rajghat during his tour, then it's his decision after all. The reasons for that can be any damn thing. Why shd this be an insult to Mahatma, or for that matter to India. Today's India is obviously beyond the Gandhi dynasty... Come on, give us a break!
This is an insult not just to the Mahatma but also to all Hindus' funeral practices. Bush' statements betray his anglo-saxon-christian superiority leanings which are very similiar to the medeival Klu Klux clan. A short while back his mother made a comment betraying these leanigs when colored people chose to migrate to Texas after the New Orleans tragedy. Indian govt. did not hesitate to reprimand the left when their minister said Bush was the leader of a pack of killers when neither the fact that leader, pack and necessary killings could be debatable. Why can't our govt. protest insults to religion and nations which calls us pagans?
i wonder what our government is going to do for this.,it is a tradition to pay homage to our father of nation by the foriegn visitors,even many leaders from the communist countries also paid thier respects at rajghat.this is very unpolite for a leader like Bush to do like this.
