Restricted Entry

A recent article in the paper was about how foreigners in Goa have acquired certain areas and have signboards put outside which reads as 'Dogs and Indians not allowed'. It’s really sad how the liberties vested by the constitution can be manipulated to serve ones won means. Goa is just a case in point but there are lots of places and people who like to associate themselves with only certain class, creed and caste of people. Many tourists are turned down from a place of visit because they don’t fall into the same bracket of people who have the privilege of entry.

In my last visit to Mumbai I yearned to visit a Fire Temple but to my disappointment I wasn't allowed. I wasn't even aware that there’s a rule like that...Temples back home have stricter rules such as 'Hindus only' at the entrance. The temple sevayats who otherwise believe in making hay when the sun shines during special festivities (where there is no restriction on paying respect (cash and gifts to the sevayats) to your lord, irrespective of your background), on any regular day display great pride that they hold the reins of the temple sanctity. These places of worship are under the dictate of handful of people who claim themselves to be above law and at times above Lord too.

I understand restricted entry into certain shows with only ‘Passes’, into offices, into libraries….. but for heaven sake, spare me, we are talking of public places!!! Restrictions like these remind me of Taliban rule on women, where a woman is not allowed at public places without her husband…..I see ourselves turning into Talibs! with such rules. But public places are for people to walk in without any fear and inhibition to see and enjoy their way of life, be it a park, mall or a Gurudwara.....

Till we encounter signboards which says ‘restricted entry’ to call ourselves a secular and democratic, is still a far cry.