The bogey of ‘love jihad’ has become part of the election debate in Marxist-ruled Kerala. It’s striking how a minor player like BJP is setting the campaign agenda for others. Though concerns over inter-faith marriages with Muslims began among some conservative Christian groups in Kerala decades ago, they were latent.
India must use its equity with Myanmar military, and also live up to its reputation of sheltering refugees
Large shared borders, security interests, tribal kinship and China make India’s response to the Myanmar crisis a formidable challenge. Delhi must use its equity with Tatmadaw junta to seek an end to repression and early restoration of democracy. India also needs to live up to its reputation of sheltering refugees.
When Hindu groups like the RSS and VHP raised concerns about Love Jihad, people dismissed them. Nobody took notice. Instead, these organizations were vilified and defamed for “oppressing” women and their right to choose their partner.
Now that the Church has taken up this issue, it has suddenly become kosher. Both the Congress and the Left are “concerned” now. Earlier they mocked and derided even the concept of Love Jihad – blithely refused to accept that it even exists.
Kerala has 18% Christians, 27% Muslims, 54% Hindus. Long an honorary member of OPEC, it must now deal with the fallout of the oil boom in the Gulf coming to an end. It needs job creation, not religious polarisation. Not that it will work. E Sreedharan – pushing ninety – must be the only Malayalee who believes his party can come to power in the state in our lifetimes. There is a national interest that transcends all else. Some Lakshman Rekhas should be respected.
Whether the Tatmadaw will listen to the rest of the world is difficult to judge. China, although it will offer diplomatic support, including in the UNSC, is not happy with the military coup. Unlike Russia, which is always willing to interpose itself in opposition to the West, Syria being a good example, it has an immense, constructive, productive economic agenda in most parts of the world. Something our diplomats have still not got the full measure of. 2. It would have been better if India had not joined the group of seven other nations, none a democracy, in attending the military parade. That may have been a price to pay for protecting interests in the north east. However, turning back people – including conscientious soldiers and policemen who refused to shoot young freedom fighters in the head – fleeing terror is not the Indian or the Gandhian way. If some are grievously injured, medical attention should be provided to them … That was done for Ajmal Kasab as well. 3. There are ties of blood and kinship between those who seek sanctuary and the adjoining states. India should tell Mlaing, – or is it Hlaing – Sorry, Boss, there is only so much we can do for you.