Thank you, Mr Dandapani, for drawing readers attention to SAudi King & Bush's views on us Pagans. Perhaps next time Govt. Of India will allow them both to preach their "faiths" in the name of "freedom of speech".
Our "paganism" is to be carried as abadge of honor, & their "modernism" needs to be questioned.
Why do we expect all foreign dignitaries to pay a visit to Raj Ghat? Let them do it if they want to.
If they think that it's against their faith, let them not do it. These fundamentalists don't deserve to be near Gandhi anyway. Gandhi's legacy is secure. No one needs to rub it in.
The Mahatma cannot be insulted. Allowing foreign visitors into India who do not or cannot pay homage to the Mahatma is allowing them to insult the cause of Indian nationhood - of nonviolence, religious tolerance and the sovereignty of our culture and people. While it is not surprising that a man who has become a symbol of violence in modern times as no one has since Hitler, chooses not to visit the Messiah of non-violence, it is extremely sad that a so-called "Congress" government is welcoming him to India. It does seem that Bush is less of a hypocrite than the current Indian governemnt. The days to come will enlighten us on how a government run by doctor of Economics understands the emotional issue of the political ideology of an ancient nation.
As much as I do not have any great respect for MK.Gandhi but thats not the point. I noticed that the King of Sudia Arabia didnot visit the Gandhi's Samadhi becauseit is aginst his religious beleif's. As the column pointed out, does that mean that all the muslims who step foot in all these years including our president kalam and I am sure other head of states of muslim countries (maybe inclusive of Musharaff) comitted sacrilege? But the question I put forward is to all the muslims of India who normally agitate and demonstrate for any thing remotelly said and done against islam including the latest row about a cartoon involving the prophet. Are they going to condemn this blatant insult to the Mahatma and to all Indians by another Muslim, be it a King or not. IF and WHEN they decide to do that...I will be the first person to acknowledge that they are great patriots and true Indians even greater than any of their fellow Indians. For the goodness of all humanity and Indians across the world, I hope they do!!
Bush is an idiot & the saudi Monarch a bigot. Who cares what they think & do. It is clear that know nothing about Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji may have been a Hindu, but his ideals and actions encapsulated the good points of all religions ( He made it a point to make an indepth study of all major religions).
And do we Indians show any respect to Gandhiji is the question I would like to ask Mr Dandapani?
not to mention the inability of anyone else to practise their faith in Saudi Arabia. try taking a bible or Bhagwad Gita or worse a Torah into that land discover true Saudi hospitality. A more primitve indeed barbaric society can hardly be thought of much less allowed to exist in today's times
All news articles have a certain sensation value. This article is one of them. I have read some of Vijay Dandapani's other articles and they do have a certain sensationalist leaning. Can't quite blame him. In this age and times, when eyeball catching is gathering a storm, sensationalism is an essential ingredient to rake in the moolah.
Also certain assumptions are presumed. I am presuming that G W Bush did make that rather stupid mumbling. For I am a Christian by faith. A born again Christian for those who know the term. But in all my learning of the Bible, I have yet to come across Jesus Christ considering cremeation as a pagan practise. Born again gives no license to people to talk absolute crap, which is what this universally acknowledged dud of a US president seems to have mumbled. Boycott him and his weird views, is what I say.
First of all, its a very well written article and really underlines the fact that we still suffer with some unknown inferiority complex and we are unable to stand up for ourselves.
We as a country need to learn to stand up for ourselves and speak fearlessly for our own cause and pride.
We as Indians are almost guilty about being Indian and being a Hindu. I wonder why?
In today's world being unique and different is such a refreshing change! When everywhere you see that all religions are fighting to prove their worth, Hinduism is the only religion that doesnt need to prove itself shows such immense confidence in our religion.
In order to change, all it requires is an upright man that can talk straight and leverage our position.
