fundamentalist forces in State damaging the social fabric in Karnataka

From: The Hindu

Bangalore, August 22, 2012
‘Rise of fundamentalist forces in State damaging the social fabric’
T. S. Ranganna


Member of the Planning Commission Syeda Hameed has expressed shock over the attack on youngsters at a ‘homestay’ at Padil in Mangalore on July 28. The horrendous incident is an indication of rising fundamentalism in Karnataka known for ages for its cosmopolitan culture and secular values. She was speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a book release function here on Saturday. “Beautiful Country: Stories from another India” written by Ms. Syeda Hameed and Gunjan Veda was released by Governor H.R. Bhardwaj.

Ms. Syeda Hameed said that Muslim and Hindu fundamentalism was raising its ugly head in the State and it was time to curb it. Women are asked to dress properly but men are not told to control their libido. On the healthcare services in the State, Ms. Syeda Hameed said that “it is endemically very bad, especially in Gulbarga, Bidar, Koppal, Raichur and Yadgir districts”. The condition of the people in the Muslim dominated areas of these districts is worse. If Karnataka wants to earn a good name as a secular State, it should look into these issues immediately, she added.

Horrendous cases like acid throwing, violence, dowry death and honour killing were also happening in some parts of the State, she said.

On the exodus of the people from the northeast, she said instead of building bridges, we are building walls in society. She said she was surprised that the State was witnessing rise of fundamentalist forces damaging the social fabric. Muslims and Hindus had co-existed in peace and harmony for ages in the State and it has produced great reformers like Basaveshwara, who propagated secular values.

Ms. Hameed said she had urged the Chief Minister to take the civil society and the media into confidence and to launch a campaign for propagating Basaveshwara’s ideals.