Beef ban

The central government has recently issued an order to ban all sales of cows except to farmers. The given order cane as a result of increasing crimes by cow vigilance. India is a secular democracy and in a democratic set up, a government cannot order or restrict the food habits of the citizens. In a secular country, the majority cannot dictate the rules of governance based upon religion. A ban on a particular type of food affects the food chain causing imbalance in nature. A ban on sale of cow not only effects the farmers, beef consumers but also leather and allied industries. Even the farmers with old and ailing cows are left burdened with the responsibility of am animal that can do them no good.
Every individual has a right to decide what he wants to eat and the government has no right to dictate the same. Government cannot restrict food the way it can restrict harmful products. Food choices depend upon a person's cultural background and are often individual in nature. Government has no place in someone's kitchen. Government can make rules to control tobacco or narcotics consumption because they are harmful products. But definitely it cannot decide to ban a particular food item which is a good source of protein. India is a country where fifty percent of women in child bearing age are anemic and a majority of children are malnourished. In such a situation, banning a source of protein is not only myopic but also a bad policy decision. Religion cannot take precedence when the future of health of the country is concerned.

Why secularism?

Secularism is often considered to be the absence of religion but in reality it only means that religion shall not interfere with thebpublic life. It is a separation between the religion and the government. It simply means that while a private individual is free tonpractice whichever religion he wishes, the public office shall not have any religion. It means that the country shall not promote one religion at the expense of other nor will it demote another and punish its adherents.
Secularism ensures that religion will not interfere with a country's governance. By adopting secular values, a country ensures that the principles of religion shall not dictate the policies of that country. It means that a country shall not interfere with the relationship between its citizens and whichever god they choose to follow, if at all. Secularism ensures that the minority group will not be persecuted but rather protected to safeguard its own traditions and culture. Secularism helps protect customs and languages from being washed away in the tide of the majority.
Secularism is essential because in a plural society it is important that the principles of equality are practiced to their core. It is important to protect the munorities from being persecuted. Without secularism, a country cannot protect the most vulnerable groups in its land. Secularism ensures that a country is just and fair in all its dealins.

Water

Lucky are those who get clean water and unlucky those who do not realize its worth. Recently, I watched an advertisement by the non government organization, actionaid, on water wives. The advertisement showed how in certain villages, a man goes on to marry three, four or even more women, so as to ensure that there is somebody to fetch water. Termed as 'water wives', it narrates the story of water scarcity as well as gender injustice. It says it is easier to shout feminism but harder to see the ground realities. Where basic necessities are scarce, gender justice is a far cry. Water is life, it is freedom. Clean water that is easily accessible frees time wasted in fetching it from far away places. Easily available water gives opportunity to women and girls  to do more productive work and to study. It provides gender  equality. Water is undoubtedly the most important commodity, and having easy access to the same is truly a blessing. Water conservation needs special attention so do the efforts to provide clean water to masses living in poverty.

Women and work

It is always an issue whether a woman goes out for work or not. A working mother is often blamed for neglecting her children and house while a stay at home mother is blamed for sitting at home and doing nothing. Recently, even a court went to the extent of calling a woman who doesn't have a job, a parasite on her husband's earnings. Is a woman who is a homemaker really a parasite? She cooks and cleans and provides for the comfort of her family. Her entire day is spent seeing that her home is running perfectly and that her family is happy. Is she really a parasite? She takes care of her children, listens to their problems, teaches them, takes care of all their needs. Is she really a parasite? She sees to the comforts of her husband and often all her inlaws as well as extended family, she tolls all day, unpaid and unappreciated. Is she really a parasite? After working all day long, taking care of everyone and everything, she gets greeted by you are just a housewife, what do you do all day. It is what she does all day that allows everyone else to go out and work or study. She manages everything from behind. Whether a woman has a job or not is her choice. Just because she has made certain life choices does not give anyone a right to judge her or demean her. It is her life and her work. The way she manages it is commendable.

A woman

She covers her bruised soul under a thick layer of foundation
Sharp mascara defines her wet eyes
She walks aloof ignoring the leering eyes
Her every step resonates her pride
She works harder than all those who surround her
Though she earns less on an unbalanced scale
She guards her territory like a fierce tigress
Bearing proudly her glistening stripes

Politics and religion

While the modern secular state envisages the separation of state and church, such an ideal condition us far from reality. In politics, religion akways plays a part in persuading the masses in favor or against the political parties or candidates. Political movements may also sometimes rest upon religious principles and may result into revolutions. The ideal state attempts to treat all religions at par and neither to promote nor demote any particular religion, culture or racial practice. In reality, even in secular states, we see public being swayed on the lines of religious, cultural or racial lines. It is important for the masses to think beyond the demarcations and to put the nation first. Politicians divide people into us and them but people should accept the diversity and protect it to build stronger nation states and a better world.

A woman's freedom

The recent incident of mass molestation of women and girls on new years eve is a matter of shame for everyone. And what adds a greater shame is the fact that various politicians claim that it is the way the girls dress that is responsible for their getting molested. Wearing western clothes is no excuse for molesting a girl. A girl has a right to choose whatever she wants to wear and she has a right to go out of her house. A society that is scared of independent women, of educated girls or working girls is one that finds excuses to attack them so as to force them into a submissive role inside the house. It is shameful that the society cannot provide protection to girls who want to study, work or go out. Women and girls form fifty percent of the population and they deserve the same representation in education and work force. By investing  in girls a country can progress but for that it needs to provide a girl protection from sexual assaults. Failure to protect a girl's freedom is a matter of shame for any country in the world that claims to be a free country.