Unwarranted marks on the Taj Mahal
This refers to news report ‘BJP MLA questions Taj Mahal’s place in heritage’ (Herald, October 17) BJP MLA Sangeet Som’s critical remarks on the iconic Taj Mahal, considered as India’s pride and joy for centuries, betrays his ignorance of history. He claims the Taj Mahal was built by Moghul tyrants and therefore should be removed from history. He claims the builder imprisoned his father when in fact it was Emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife and was imprisoned till the end of his days by his son Aurangzeb.
Earlier it was UP CM Yogi Adityanath who courted controversy by leaving out the Taj monument from the tourism booklet. The UNESCO recognised world heritage site draws millions of tourists from world over earning huge revenue for the government. Incidentally, after BJP coming to power at the centre, attempts are being made to rewrite history in saffron colours and also ignore India’s independence architects like Gandhi and Nehru and glorify heroes who had not much roles in India’s freedom struggles. Striking off or criticising the iconic monument for political gain is a self-defeating act. Globally, it will only portray India as the land of anti-diversity culture.
Gregory Fernandes, Marcel
All religions and cultures of the world devote certain days for the release of pent up feelings of the masses against various evils like exploitation, social oppression, etc. Thus we have Guy Fawkes Night in England, the stoning of the devil during Haj pilgrimage and even the International Labour Day on May First, I believe, was originally a protest day against the exploitation by capitalist robber barons.
So in the Narkasur tradition of burning the effigy of evil, there may be nothing unusual for it may, most probably, denote the animosity of masses against the social oppression and exploitation unleashed by certain dogmas of a certain way of life.
The fear of investigation
It is unfortunate that the investigating agencies failed to nail the culprit or culprits in Aarushi Talwar murder case due to lack of evidence. Unfortunately, even after nine years of trial - the culprit is roaming freely. Until now, only political cases lacked evidence. Now, the same seems to be true with non-political cases too? Did Aarushi die a natural death? If no, who murdered her? If the investigating agencies cannot find the answer, who can? All the investigating agencies must pledge to discharge its duty more vigilantly and honestly and unravel the murder mystery, the persons behind this murder roaming freely will encourage more of such crimes.
Goa has seen an alarming rise in the number of suicide cases. It must be said that one of the mode of committing suicide is to jump into the river from a bridge. It is understood that anti-suicide barricade is being installed at the Borim bridge which has witnessed several suicide cases.
One of the reasons for a person with suicidal tendency to take the drastic step is the opportunity available to commit suicide. A bridge without any barrier could be the preferred place to take the ultimate step. A person with a suicidal tendency could have a change of mind about committing suicide if the bridge has barricades and does not allow one to jump into the river.
There are two major bridges coming up in Goa, one across the river Mandovi and the other across the river Zuari. The government needs to see to it that both the bridges are provided with railings of a certain height so that it becomes difficult to climb up and jump into the water.
Older bridges in the state should also be provided with such anti-suicide barricades in the form of railings.
The Talwar couple of Dr Rajesh Talwar and his wife Nupur Talwar walked out of the Dasna Jail on October 16 after being acquitted in the Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case by the Allahabad High Court. They spent nearly four years behind bars for a crime, which could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt. It will surely be a big relief not just to the Talwars and their family but also to all the rumour mongers who speculated different angles to the murder mystery. So we wish the Talwars a very Happy Diwali and hope that they can overcome this great tragedy and resume their normal lives once again.
Now that the Talwars’ names have been cleared by the courts, the CBI has much to explain how and why they blotched up this case and to give justice to Arrushi and Hemraj. Can the CBI compensate the Talwars for the time they spent behind bars and the damage caused to their reputation by different types of salacious allegations about their personal lives?
