The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : On secularism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

On secularism

The Supreme Court’s rejection of the plea of a Muslim student that he should be permitted to sport a beard in his convent school, in contravention of the rules of the minority institution, cannot be faulted on any count. Sporting a beard by Muslims cannot be compared with the Sikh custom of wearing a turban as it is mandatory for Sikhs to wear one, whereas it is not so in the case of beard for Muslims. Secondly, minority institutions enjoy special privileges to adopt their own rules within a certain framework. As the court has rightly observed, any one not in agreement with the rules of the school has a choice to go to a non-minority institution.

Kasim Sait,

Chennai

* * * *

No doubt, everyone has the right to follow a religion of his choice in a secular country like India. At the same time, an individual’s faith and belief cannot be imposed on an educational institution where the principles of secularism are taught. The court has correctly pointed to the need to strike a balance between rights and personal beliefs.

G.S. Mani,

New Delhi

* * * *

A school has no right to interfere with an individual’s right to freedom. How does a student sporting a beard affect the functioning of a school? A school is known for the results it produces, not for the dress code it enforces. As for whether a girl student can be allowed to wear a burqa if she wants to, I wonder what is wrong in wearing one.

Talibanisation refers to a group of people joining together and forcing something on others against their wishes on the basis of religion. But here we have a student who has voluntarily sought permission to exercise his fundamental right.

Zulfquar Hasan,

Samastipur

* * * *

Indian secularism, unlike Turkey and France, respects individual religious beliefs unless they offend others. Sporting a beard and wearing a burqa are not symbols of Talibanisation. They are the symbols of practising Muslims.

Ghaus Sultan,

Aligarh

* * * *

When the Constitution gives a citizen the right to practise the religion of his choice, how can a school deny it? Can any school deny a Sikh student the right to come to school with a turban and a beard?

Khalid H. Qureshi,

Bangalore

* * * *

Our concept of tolerance should be broad enough to accommodate the practices of different sections, as long as they do not threaten the social fabric. Talibanisation does not imply the adherence to certain practices; it is a world view that forcefully confines everyone to some pre-cast moulds.

M.B. Zaman,

Malappuram

* * * *

To the question whether a girl student who says she wants to wear a burqa can be allowed to do so, the answer is ‘yes.’

It should be allowed because India is a secular country where no authority can force an individual to dress against his or her will and beliefs.

Khan Yasir,

New Delhi

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion