The Critical Indian

30th July'15, the much awaited verdict in the 1993 Mumbai blast was finally executed with the hanging of one of the prime accused, Yakub Memon, at  Nagpur Central Jail at around 6:30 am IST.   But not before creating a ruckus throughout the country, mercy petitions flying, support swarming in from all sections. A never seen before (at least first for me) midnight Supreme Court bench called as a last desperate mercy attempt to save the accused!! While for many this was justice delivered finally after a 22 years long wait but for others this was an opportunity to yet again divide India on religious lines under the garb of secularism. Essentially this was projected in the same manner in the media so as to fuel the divide and spark an unnecessary conflict. So the question arises, is a culprit's religion a deciding factor for whether or not he would be punished? Taking a moment back into that horrific afternoon of 15th March'93 when Mumbai then called Bombay was ...

Through this post I do not intend to offend anybody's religious sentiments. A Hindu by faith, I respect all religions. But just like how we have a respect for our family and when the time comes we do not shy away from criticizing them, hoping that the same will have a positive impact. Similarly, through this post I am only trying to point fingers at the rotten ends that need to be relooked from a different perspective. Which way? My religion, your religion and their religion, where do they all eventually lead?  A question that has bothered me for a while now. While I may have some answers but I am still far from being convinced. The Moral Fiber The premise of religion in itself is always a bit sensitive one and people seem to take offence way too quickly or get all worked up whenever a question or doubt is raised that may contradict or oppose their beliefs. But, what they fail to understand is, it's a free society we live in. An individual's reservations about his faith or ...