Stop polarisation Hardened days A welcome move

This refers to the article, “Muslims observe Black Eid over lynching” dated June 27, 2017. Advocating non-violent resistance to the racially discriminatory Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance issued by the Transvaal government in 1906, Mahatma Gandhi made a powerful statement to bring the aggrieved on board, “They may torture my body, break my bones, even kill me. Then they will have my dead body, but not my obedience.”

The disturbing pattern of intolerance and polarisation gradually pervading the country since the new regime got elected to power precisely sums up the fear of Gandhi. To make dissenters fall in line and make them “obey” with the prevalent line of thought, emotive matters are being allowed to culminate into acts of majoritarian lawlessness and violence, as the victims are rendered helpless to look up to the state for protection.

It is unfortunate that the legislation on cow slaughter and a communally venomous agenda are being misused by some fringe groups with impunity as a tool to harass and intimidate minorities.

The society is being increasingly coerced into conforming with an intolerant and hate-filled interpretation of faith. It is time the political parties stopped straining the social fabric by polarising their subjects along communal lines. Instead, the orientation of faith should be debated in a manner which is both politically correct and theologically permissible. With reference to Chinese Whispers’ item “Stressed employees” (BS, June 26), the situation seems to be quite worrisome for various high-debt companies in the current economic scenario.

While the promoters could blame none but themselves for their predicament, one feels sorry for the sleepless nights of the employees concerned. For sure, such a situation would not have emerged overnight and it amply indicates that these companies must have been turning a blind eye to the ground realities for long.

However, it goes without saying that cutting administrative/operational costs by taking recourse to such costsaving steps could bring some temporary relief only and the management of these companies must rise to the occasion by improving their sagging debt position. Mind you, serving of any half baked food won’t do and all out efforts must be made to wriggle out their assetliability mismatches on a priority basis. An old saying says, a stitch in time saves nine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit marks an important milestone, with the US declaring Salahuddin, head of the Kashmiri militant group Hiz-bul-Mujahideen, a global terrorist. This will help in choking his movement and financing. First of all, all the terrorists must starve for finance. Lack of financial support can deliver a severe blow to the terrorists operating from the soil of countries providing financial support. Apart from blocking money-flow to the terrorist outfits, the countries that are backing militants with financial support must also be declared as “terrorist country”.

The UN should take appropriate action on “terrorist countries”. Declaration on Salahuddin by the US emphasises its commitment to end terror in all forms. The declaration also prohibits the US citizens from engaging in transactions with Salahuddin, and all of his property and interests in property, subject to the US jurisdiction, are blocked. It is a welcome move. Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to: The Editor, Business Standard Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg New Delhi 110 002 Fax: (011) 23720201 · E-mail: letters@bsmail.in All letters must have a postal address and telephone number