Right-wing extremism in India: Graham Staines' killing reminds us of dangers posed by extremist ideologies

Graham Staines and his two sons were burnt to death in their car on this day--January 23, 1999.

Though nineteen years have passed, it still evokes painful memories and remains a part of collective conscience of the nation.

It serves reminder to us that how extremist ideologies can turn people into such monsters that they would even go to the extent of killing innocent children.

Staines who hailed from Australia, had settled in India, and worked for leprosy patients. He was with his sons, Philip and Timothy, when an armed mob surrounded the vehicle and set it afire. The killings led to international outcry.

The man had dedicated himself to serve humanity and made India his home, yet, he was accused of luring locals towards Christianity. His wife Gladys rejected the charges that he converted people to Christianity.

Dara Singh, who was associated with Bajrang Dal, was held guilty in this case. The trial court gave him death sentence. However, the High Court didn't consider it a rarest of rare case, and instead of capital punishment, he was given life term in the year 2005.

The Supreme Court too upheld the decision, six years later. Despite the widespread outrage, right-wing forces have over the years continued to target Christians--either it is Dangs in Gujarat or attacks on Churches in Karnataka.

Singh is in jail. Shockingly, despite Dara Singh's involvement in the monstrous act and his conviction for it, several websites that claim to be dedicated to the cause of Hindutva, express support to Dara Singh.

Malaysia's ban on non-Muslims' use of word 'Allah' must be condemned

The Malaysian government's controversial decision to restrain non-Muslims from using the word 'Allah' for God, defies logic.

In the Holy Quran, the first surah, starts with 'Alhamdulillahi-rabb-il-alamin', which means, 'The God of the World', not the 'God of Muslims' alone.

It is 'aalamin' [for the entire world], not 'muslimin'. Clearly, there is no Islamic basis either to bar any community from using the word 'Allah' exclusively.

Secondly, words like 'Rab', 'Malik' or 'Khuda' are being used for centuries God in different regions by Muslims.

This is about local culture. Similarly, Christians or adherents of other religions who live in Malay-speak or Jews and other minorities in Arabic-speaking areas, have been using the word 'Allah' for ages.

Don't Muslims use the word 'God' quite often? In fact, the Malaysian government's succumbing to certain clerics' diktats, is surprising.

Also, the court order should have been reversed. It sets a bad example. It is not just against the principals of democracy but also in violation of Islamic spirit.

When a government in a country like Malaysia takes such a decision, then it is all the more disturbing. Its international image as a modern, progressive country would also be hit.  I fail to understand what drives the regime to take such a step or what are the fears of certain Ulema?

Do they feel that use of the word 'Allah' in sermons and prayers would attract Muslims towards Christianity.
If they have such fears, then it means that they have less confidence their own religion and community, and are more worried about propagators of other faiths.

Such bans are used to harass religions minorities and create religious tensions. It is a totally unjust and nonsensical ban. Further, it shows growing intolerance in the society. And it must be condemned. Hope that good sense will prevail and the decision would reversed soon.