Editor,
Yesterday’s piece by Albert Thyrniang titled “The Anathema Question” (ST March 29, 2023) is perhaps one of the most important articles to have appeared in the local press in recent years. With great insights, the writer has skillfully analysed the dangers of mixing politics with religion. From the time of Partition, religion has been a flashpoint for violence, mayhem and mass murder in our country, but we have not yet learned to be better.
As Thyrniang has pointed out there is nothing to celebrate or be reassured about, when politicians arrange for prayers or gospel singing at political events. The church and its pastors, by acquiescing in such arrangements are not only neglectful about propriety and secularism, but are also naïve about political manipulation.
That these displays of Christian rituals are conducted in the presence of BJP bigwigs, clearly indicates a political stage management that we are innocent to. It suits our local leaders in Meghalaya and Nagaland because they are catering to their vote bank, but it also plays into the hands of the national majoritarian party who will increase their influence in the Northeast Christian communities merely by simple ploys like turning a blind eye to beef eating or Bible readings.
The separation of church and state in the US Constitution is based on the history of early settlers who fled from religious persecution in their home countries in Europe. This Constitutional provision is based on the rights and respect for all faiths and to all citizens of whichever persuasion. Secularism should not be equated with anti-religion, but it is respect for all citizens of all religions, on an equal footing. India is a secular country, but our Constitution has adequate protections for individual human rights, and religious minorities.
Some politicians gain advantage by public prayers, it seems to give them a garment of righteousness, less likely to be regarded as corrupt. The church should not be party to such mutual back-scratching. The political, preferential and public display of Christian ritual undermines secularism, human rights and equality. It is a religious jingoism that is neither Biblical or Christian, and marginalizes the non-Christian citizens and voters in our community, tribal and non-tribal. In these moments of Christian exceptionalism, we forget the verses in Galatians and Colossians which state that in Christ there is no Jew or Gentile. Can the church rise to this injunction from St Paul?
Yours etc.,
Glenn C. Kharkongor,
Via email
Absurd driving behaviour
Editor
While the practice of using indicator signals as a pass signal in Meghalaya may seem like a perfectly logical and efficient way to communicate with fellow drivers, I cannot help but marvel at its sheer absurdity. After all, why bother with the hassle of indicating which direction you are turning, when you can simply flick on your indicator signal and expect everyone else on the road to just magically understand that you are giving them permission to pass? It’s a brilliant, if not completely baffling, strategy.
Of course, as someone with 22 years of driving experience and having lived away from Meghalaya for 10 years, I must admit that I was a bit taken aback when I first witnessed this unconventional driving behaviour. But who am I to question the local wisdom? Perhaps they know something about driving that the rest of us mere mortals can only dream of.
In all seriousness though, while the practice of using indicator signals as a pass signal in Meghalaya may seem quirky and harmless, it can actually be quite dangerous and confusing for other drivers on the road. So let’s all do our part to communicate our intentions clearly and follow the rules of the road, in order to keep ourselves and others safe while driving.
Yours etc.,
Jonathan W. Iangrai
Via email
A for apple: hedging the answers
Editor
When a teacher asks a student, “Give me one word beginning with I, K, J. G. Intelligent kids would answer, I for India, K for Khasi, J for Jaintia, and G for Garo. Answers can be given in 5 – 10 seconds. A teacher will give 100 % to the correct answers. During the budget session 2023, a specific question was asked and the Home Department, beat around the bush, nervously starting to answer those questions beginning from, A for Apple, B for Ball, C for cattle (why cattle, C for cat) Nobody smuggles cats to Bangladesh, and by the time it reaches the 11th alphabet “K” the House is adjourned/concluded. People of the state are being lectured regarding the formations and duties of the Police Department just to kill time and ignore sensitive questions. To debate Article 371 in the next Assembly Session in Meghalaya, it would be impossible for a minister to read the whole Constitution. From (A for apple to Z for Zigzag)
Yours etc.,
D Pakyntein,
Via email.