Readers Opinions: French President's comments

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Sikhs, Muslims must respect our tradition: Sarkozy
ris, UK, says: I am ashamed of our prime minister who unlike Sarkozy did not defend India at the EU.
[29 Sep, 2008 2126hrs IST]

ankur, manila, says: i think racism is more prevalant in the developed western world than anywhere else where outsiders are seen as disturbing their way of life. If you look at countries like india, where people grow up with so many cultures, no one takes againts a sikh, a muslim or even a person from another country. Living in harmony with other cultures does not mean harmonizing them by the way they look or dress, isn't it more of a state of mind where one is patient and welcoming.
[29 Sep, 2008 2125hrs IST]

PS, USA, says: Sarkozy doesn't get it! Does he? Turbans are part of the Sikh identity, not a costume/tradition/custom. It is not a temporal aspect that can be done away with. It is not worn for convenience, rather it is mandated as one of the articles of faith. A Sikh keeps the outer appearance because of the way Waheguru made him/her. Doning a turban is yet another part of his God-conscious-nature and the pride that it brings to a man. I wonder what the Sikh PM really talked to the French counterpart. You got to make a bold statement Mr. PM, protect the fundamental rights of Sikhs, the right to practicing ones's religion freely. I'm glad US has no such discriminatory policy against Sikhs/Muslims. One day world will come to realize that granting (I hate to use this word) such rights is in the betterment of the whole society.
[29 Sep, 2008 2124hrs IST]

any, any, says: I dont advise anyone from India to go to europe, I have been for long outside the india, they are racist people,that is their tradition and custom. I advise students to go the asian countires, singapore, one of the best destination. Asian poeple are nicer and free of ill-will to skin color.
[29 Sep, 2008 2123hrs IST]

ANIL KUMAR, NEW DELHI, says: Sikhs should stop migrating to the country that does not respect them, also Indian Government should have least possible diplomatic relations with them.
[29 Sep, 2008 2116hrs IST]

Shivaji rao Pratap, LA-CA-USA, says: Dear sir, I congratulate the French President to speak in front of our psedosecualr Prime minister regarding the duties and obligations of the minorities towards a nation.Look what is happening in India. The Muslims have their own seaparate laws in democracy! We should get rid of that asap. This is what the congress under mahatma gandhi wanted. One people, one law, one nation. The Muslims can not get out of govt ofices on fridays during govt time to say Namaz! They just can not do Namaz in streets,as it happens in Mumbai to block the trafiic! Muslims can not get govt money to go to Haz! This is agiainst Islam! You should use your hard earned money for pilgrimage not by borrowing, begging or stealing! Askany good and knowlegeble muslim. The Sikhs in Punjab have still some soft corner for Pakistan as their Nankhana sahab gurudwar is there. They have taken help of ISI to fight for separate sikh land. Now it has stopped but still now and then we see people doing things to break the bonds between Hindus and sikhs. In USA, Sikhs would rather have a Sikh identity or a US American identity but will not call them selves Indian or talk of special relationship they have with Hindus. We put billions to punjab, made it the grannery of India, we gave 20% army jobs for them We decoarted them in every possible post from President to PM to CM to every thing. But still sikhs in Kashmir are not 100% with the Hindus. I hope our mahatma PM learns few good lessons from his trip abroad this time. Country, nation, culture comes first. India is essentially a Hindu Nation just like USA, France adn Britain are christian nations. Hindu traditions, culture and heritage comes firsta nd foremost. Secualarism is not appeasement of minority and ignoring the amjority for vote bank politics.
[29 Sep, 2008 2115hrs IST]

rahul, new york, says: India should kick all Europian missionaries out. They are violating the Indian traditions. They make foolish claims that all other religions are false..this is a violation of Indian tradition.
[29 Sep, 2008 2114hrs IST]

Vikramjit Singh, Delhi, says: If the French really respect Sikh traditions then the respect must be in their actions not in their words. Wearing a turban does not disrespect Franch tradition but forcing sikhs not to wear one certainly disrespects Sikh tradition.
[29 Sep, 2008 2112hrs IST]

H Singh, USA, says: They should have stopped MM Singh from meeting French Prez. How can they sign such official pacts with turbaned person? What happened to secularism now? Bottom line is only the powerful will get recogntion. If Saudi Makes a rule that those who want to come and live in middle east, they should circumscise, will everyone start circumscising to respect the rule?? Key point is respect the differences. There are riots between Blacks and whites in Paris every other day. Is it due to religion?
[29 Sep, 2008 2102hrs IST]

Jitendra Desai, Surat, says: Good advice to the PM of a most secular Indian political party! On his return, PM should render similar advvice to our Muslim and Christian brrthren.. to learn to respect Hindu traditions.
[29 Sep, 2008 2059hrs IST]