submittoGod comments

Political parties who harness hatred can never succeed in the long run. The Republicans tasted defeat in the US and the BJP lost all of its colors in India. So some lessons to be learnt here.

For the handful people who want to force others into wearing any type of clothes within free France, put them behind bars and decipline them. I don't think the French police is so weak, it can't get its hands on a handfull of people. For women who want to wear the veil, arrange female officers to identify them at public places whenever required. If this is too much a financial burden, put some levy/tax in Muslim populateded areas and recover the cost. I am sure they will gladly pay. Banning the veil is not going to solve anything. It will only create resentment and more problems.

It's all about being sensitive.

Some people came ages ago settled down in your country, lived here, contributed to the growth of the country, paid taxes, made it their home. Some even come today with loads of money and pump it into your economy. That's all good. The moment they try to assert their religious identity without harming anyone, you have a problem. I can understand security risks when the face is covered. But you need to take the people in confidence by clearly explaining to them the risks. For example, how many times has a person in veil been involved in a harmful activity? Probably never - even if so, I bet you, it would be much less than drunkards driving at high speed and viping out an entire family with a head on collisions. When the country's President goes on record and blurts out that "burqa is not welcome in this country" it is the intent of the ban that is in question. I did not sign an undertaking that I have to follow social norms when i immigrated to this country. Social norms are not the law of the land. As long as I am a law abiding citizen, I don't necessarily have to follow social norms (such as drinking - at least I am saving tax payer's money by avoiding accidents and destroying innocent lives). France has a large Muslim minority. It can utilize this great resource by being a little sensitive to their religious needs. Believe me it will be much appreciated and you will end up with proud citizens ready to give their best. However taking a negative path will lead to negative results. Keeping people together is an art the leader of the country should possess. However, someone who has divorced three times himself can't be expected to lead the country in a positive way. Negative approach is a sign of weakness - I am sure France has many critical issues to solve than asking a few hundred people to lift their veil. When leaders have no solution to these problems they tend to divert people away from real issues.

limboinjapan: thanks for commenting on my post. I agree there may be problems out there but my point is directed to the way solution is being devised by the French government. Can you explain how the complex issues prevailing in French minorities be resolved by banning women from wearing what they want to wear? Were the women of Orthodox Jews banned from wearing their religious attire in NA? I can hear brawls taking place every now and then at nightclubs and pubs, but you would never hear that all the pubs are banned to operate! I am sure the French government is capable in addressing minority issues in a positive way if it wants to. Nobody wants trouble for nothing. Everyone wants to live in peace. However, if you look at the bigger picture at the global level there is far too much negative talk about Islam and Muslims now than ever before leading to mistrust and problems that we are facing today. I don't think the French government is sincere in resolving the issue - it has already generated enough friction and polarization between the masses - now it wants to reap the results in the form of votes! Who are we fooling here? I was born and have lived in India (perhaps with the largest Muslim minority in the world) for most part of my life. We know what this is all about.

I don't think any woman living in France would find it hard to complain to authorities if she is forced to wear the hijab. France is basically denying a religious practice to observing Muslim women in the guise of helping them without being asked for. What a hypocricy in a so called 'free' country! The reality is that Europe in general and France in particular cannot tolerate rise in practicing Muslims as they see it as a threat to their own materialistic ideologies. Ironically the 'tolerant' Europe cannot tolerate another ideology in its midst. Why don't give people a chance to think and decide on their own if you are really that 'open minded'? We are entering into an age where the beginning of end of materialistic ideologies has begun as they have failed to provide internal/ spiritual peace to people. Obviously, materialisitic and lust loving people would hate it!