Citizen Hazare.

Citizen Hazare.

Anna Hazare may not be a Mahatma Gandhi or a Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash Narayan. He is just a Citizen Hazare who represents the frustration of the people with the pervasive corruption in the political system. It is sad that intellectuals like Pratap Bhanu Mehta ( IE,7/4) have not understood the disgust of the people with the continuing drama of corruption going on for the last few months – 2G scam, CWG scam, Adarsh scam, CVC appointment. All these scams had to be taken to the Supreme Court by the citizens to set the wheels of justice in motion. With all the laws against corruption in the country, the big fish always get away from the net. May be we should have a special bench of the Supreme Court only to deal with scams. Mehta seems to have contempt for ordinary law abiding people who cry for justice when he says " Lokpal Bill agitation has contempt for politics and democracy".

All that Citizen Hazare asks for is the power to prosecute the corrupt and punish them within a time-frame by the institution of Lokpal. He wants a non-partisan selection body. Is it too much to ask from the government? Mehta finds that questioning the representative character of the elected is reprehensible. The reports in newspapers about the distribution of money by the political parties in Tamilnadu is also reprehensible. King's apparel is seen only by the intellectuals, but people see the naked corruption everywhere. Bottle-neck of corruption is at the top of the bottle.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/of-the-few-by-the-few/772773/

April 7,2011.

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Religious education in schools.

Religious Education in schools.

Najma Kazi, principal of Anjuman Islam's Saif Tyabji High School in Byculla, should be congratulated on introducing religious education to the students ( DNA, 29/3/11). The religious course will explore major religions of the world and their role in history and society. The religious literacy increases religious tolerance and secular outlook, as she rightly points out. Her observation that omission of facts about religion can give students the false impression that religions have not played an important role in shaping our history is also relevant.

Understanding ones own religion makes one a better practitioner of his religion and understanding other religions makes one a better human being and promotes brotherhood. Mahatma Gandhi said that a Hindu should be a better Hindu, a Muslim, a better Muslim and a Christian, a better Christian as all religions are based on human values such as love, charity, non-violence and brotherhood. These are the values of our Constitution as well – liberty, equality and fraternity. All schools should follow the example of Saif Tyabji High School to promote brotherhood and secularism.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_byculla-school-to-impart-religious-education_1525697

March 29, 2011.

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