Editor,
Triple Talaq has been misused and abused for a long time in India and elsewhere in the world, depending on the whims and fancies of Muslim religious heads. This has to be abolished because pronouncement of Triple talaq arbitrarily by Muslim married men on their wives is violation of womanhood, violation and total disregard of the sanctity of marriage, violation of the universal human rights and violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Why should the Constitution allow the Muslim husbands triple talaq and allow their wives to suffer the consequences? This issue has come before the apex court many times in the past but I do not understand why there is a delay in pronouncing judgment and to ban it in India for good. It was contended that by declaring triple talaq as illegal it goes against the Quran’s teaching and hence it is a sin. By merely pronouncing triple talaq through social media or through any other form is more sinful because the man violates the sanctity of marriage and dehumanizes the woman. What type of religious teaching is this?
Yours etc.,
Philip Marweiñ,
Shillong.
Fear of third world war
Editor,
The heads of many big nations hardly fall in line. A sense of hostility and enmity always haunts them. So, each nation is expanding its nuclear capabilities — some are doing secretly while others openly. Usually, the principle reasons for the mutual uneasiness is due “ego,” which often gives way to distrust. With the help of advanced science we have made destructive weapons, but we have failed to build trust, love and harmony among nations and peoples for peaceful co-existence. North Korea, which is a major threat to South Korea and Japan, has now become a global concern. Its reckless and repeated launching of ballistic missiles filled us all with apprehensions of an imminent “third world war”.
Just this Sunday North Korea fired yet another large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead that flew 700 kms into the far sea. Its supreme leader Kim Jong-un knows no laws. He is headstrong and reckless. ‘Nuclear Non-Proliferation laws’ are non-existent for him. With crazy zest, he orders his meek subordinates to make missiles.
Now all eyes are on the USA which itself is domineering. President Donald Trump, who is reputed for being short-tempered, could take any steps that might further provoke Kim Jong. What will happen if “ego” surpasses “good sense”? Kim Jong can go insane any time and order for missile strikes against XYZ. What will happen if hot-tempered Donald Trump tries to match up with Kim’s recklessness?
Our peaceful existence on earth is now literally hanging on the whims of a few egoistic and crazy leaders.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali
Shillong -2
Unattended civic problems
Editor,
I have been a resident of the area around Circuit house point, Laban, for well over 18 years and I am compelled to highlight our perennial problem with stray dogs and absence of street lights; problems we have been facing for some years now. Drawing an analogy between both these issues, let me inform that I am in no way a dog hater, but rabid strays increasing exponentially in our locality is very worrying. Of equal concern is the lackadaisical approach of the locality people towards these issues. There is no visible attempt to come up with an action plan to combat this nuisance. Rather there have been multiple events of failed attacks on us by these strays. It’s more of a momentary concern, a touch and go for most of the locality folks.
As a responsible citizen of the state and the country, it is essential that I bring to you how this concerns our immediate environment and identify areas where we need improvement. Our beautiful locality is literally pock- marked with dog excreta, so much so that we have to be on a constant lookout as to where we walk. The place has turned filthy and unhygienic. Our narrow locality streets are home to more than a dozen stray dogs with a constant inflow of newer ones from other localities. The birthing pattern of these strays are exponential and they attack us residents in groups whenever they feel like. It is impossible to single- handedly banish them while they are in groups. Things become worse during evenings as our locality does not have street lights on vast stretches. With very small streets, constant traffic and innumerable dogs on the prowl, it is very difficult to even walk safely after dusk. We desperately need street lights in our localities. It is tragic that despite our best efforts, we haven’t been able to get these basic needs. We have been living a very isolated life for a long time because outsiders have literally stopped coming to our locality. And we residents spend sleepless nights because of the constant howling and fighting between the dogs.
Today, through this esteemed daily, I wish to draw the attention of those who are supposed to address these burning civic issues so that the stray dog menace is addressed and so too the street lighting. If any individual or organisation wants to adopt the strays from the streets, it would be a welcome move. I also hope the local MLA takes cognizance of these problems and finds solutions. Before aspiring for a smart city label we should make it liveable first.
Yours etc.,
Bipasha Bhattacharjee,
Via email