The history of man tells us that it is a journey for greater comfort and easier life than what one has been experiencing. The very meaning of civilization and culture also depends on the progress made by man on these fundamental terms. These are fundamental tenets of progress in any age and at any place. All social norms, customs, traditions and laws are framed on the basis that they should help a man’s growth. If I try to commit suicide law says it is a crime. It won’t spare me saying it is my freedom. If I want to sacrifice an animal or a man, in the name of religious practice, that is a crime. These are considered crimes because they do not help either my development or development of others. In other words anything detrimental to the progress of a person or a society is a punishable offence.
Also read: Constitution of India
A society, like a man, is a living body with its own aspirations, goals, systems and Code of Conduct. Dr Radhkrishnan, regarded as an original philosopher, said, “Change is the law of life”. Darwin too proved that those beings which do not change according to circumstances will perish. Catholics had some rigid principles and some people protested against them and Protestants came into existence. Child marriages which were in vogue In Hindu society are a thing of the past today. Society, on its way to progress, has been abandoning crude ways and adopting finer methods. Beheading, flogging and such physical punishments have been in existence once, in every society but all those were abandoned.
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In some Muslim societies the reverse is happening under the influence of some fundamentalists. It is unfortunate that a few of them command the entire community in the name of religion. Successive governments have ignored the fate of Muslim women for vote banks. I had very close Muslim friends for over 50 years. Now I am amazed at the fighting going on in the name of Hijab. I feel sorry to see even a two year old girl wearing a Hijab in parents’ arms. I don’t have any intention of objecting to any religious practice but only feel sorry that more and more restrictions are put on woman in the name of religion. Education is the means of progress. Malala had to fight for Muslim girls’ education. Taliban culture does not allow women to move out without a man and kills a girl if her heels are visible. But belly dance is also allowed in some places. Confining half of their population to homes is not only denying their human rights but also getting crippled economically too by not allowing them to work.
Also read: Eradication of Corruption
Man is considered superior to all other beings on earth only because he can think and talk. Reasoning had been and is the thing that develops any man or society. If we do not make use of this God given special gift we are wasting his boon. Everyone must think of what is good to him and his society and not follow anything blindly.
Also read: Telugu Language
