HOLY PIG!
Indian politicians, one thought, had the expertise to convert any non-issue into an issue of national importance.But a recent development in France got me thinking on what is an issue and what is a non-issue and i realised that this conforms to the alignment of one's thinking.Before we get to that, first the issue in France.
There is strong opposition against the decision by a chain of fast food restaurants to drop it's bacon burger and pork dishes from its menu and serve only halal meat in 8 of it's outlets located in muslim-centric areas.The bacon-burger loving population of those areas are up in arms against the restaurant chain citing a discrimination against their habits and an inconvenience caused to them since they need to travel an extra-distance to find a bacon burger.This discrimination cry has stirred up a debate even among political circles in France.Simply looking at it ,it's a great opportunity for a competitor to lap up the business.But the perspective on which the fast-food chain has made it's decision is perhaps influenced by the fact that the Islamic community was involved and France has in the past, tried to override several Islamic laws.
Even in India where the lines are clearly drawn between Hindus and Muslims, there is no outright law banning cow slaughter in several states, nor are there any rules against the usage of pork.Gujarat is a dry state and liquor shops are closed on "dry days".It would be funny if the consumers of liquor in Gujarat felt discriminated because of this law, since they have to travel to neighbouring states to have a drink.Indians are used to being discriminated against by fellow Indians themselves, so one would feel inclined to think that this would never become an issue in India.
But going by the recent trend of political activism in India including partisan regional politics and demand for separate statehood and the maoist problem, to me it is apparent that any cry or noise made in India or probably anywhere in the world has it's respondents.And these are not responses inspired by a call, but more so because somewhere deep inside one has a line of thought similar to the call that has arisen.So,if somebody wants to take up an idea that a particular state is for a particular origin of people only and fight for their rights, who are we to pass judgement against it.We can only hope that the means to achieve that end will be logical and pave the way for peaceful coexistence, in India or anywhere in the world.
There is strong opposition against the decision by a chain of fast food restaurants to drop it's bacon burger and pork dishes from its menu and serve only halal meat in 8 of it's outlets located in muslim-centric areas.The bacon-burger loving population of those areas are up in arms against the restaurant chain citing a discrimination against their habits and an inconvenience caused to them since they need to travel an extra-distance to find a bacon burger.This discrimination cry has stirred up a debate even among political circles in France.Simply looking at it ,it's a great opportunity for a competitor to lap up the business.But the perspective on which the fast-food chain has made it's decision is perhaps influenced by the fact that the Islamic community was involved and France has in the past, tried to override several Islamic laws.
Even in India where the lines are clearly drawn between Hindus and Muslims, there is no outright law banning cow slaughter in several states, nor are there any rules against the usage of pork.Gujarat is a dry state and liquor shops are closed on "dry days".It would be funny if the consumers of liquor in Gujarat felt discriminated because of this law, since they have to travel to neighbouring states to have a drink.Indians are used to being discriminated against by fellow Indians themselves, so one would feel inclined to think that this would never become an issue in India.
But going by the recent trend of political activism in India including partisan regional politics and demand for separate statehood and the maoist problem, to me it is apparent that any cry or noise made in India or probably anywhere in the world has it's respondents.And these are not responses inspired by a call, but more so because somewhere deep inside one has a line of thought similar to the call that has arisen.So,if somebody wants to take up an idea that a particular state is for a particular origin of people only and fight for their rights, who are we to pass judgement against it.We can only hope that the means to achieve that end will be logical and pave the way for peaceful coexistence, in India or anywhere in the world.
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