Recommendation 1 from ‘The New York Times’
Article Name:‘No model for Muslim democracy’
By: ‘Andreas Harsono’
The article states that there is an illusion that Indonesia is a model for Islamic democracy. However, article illustrates otherwise as there has been an instance where Islamist militants have burnt down churches and bombed hotels and cars. The article also states though the authorities have made an effort to curb down an affiliate of Al Qaeda, yet a lot needs to be done to stop the Islamist extremist elements. So, in a way, the article points out to the fact that Indonesia is not the model for democracy.
Summary:
The article cites the reason that Mr. Yudhoyono takes the support of conservative Islamist elements is to maintain majority, which in turn gives them the strength to use violence against the minorities. This perhaps could be the reason for Islamist elements not being curbed down completely.
Learn Words from the article:
Blasphemy: Profanity
Congregation: Worshippers
Recommendation 2 from ‘The Hindu’
Article Name:‘A law for those who speak up’
By: ‘Editorial’
The article talks about the recent murder of S.P. Mahantesh who was a whistleblower in improper land allotments on the part of a cooperative society. Consequently, he was murdered for being the whistleblower. Article stresses on the need of a stringent law that protects them. Also, the article stresses the need to expose the nexus between politicians, bureaucrats and private interests. Any stringent law needs to protect the identity of the whistleblower and also him/her.
Summary:
So far the bill half passed by the legislature, is quite weak and vague. Law needs to be stringent. Stringent law will only make sure that more people come forward to expose the corruption that is eating away the roots of our system.
Learn Words from the article:
Obstruction: Obstacle
Harassment: Pestering
Recommendation 3 from ‘The Times of India’
Article Name:‘Manufacturing silence’
By: ‘Santosh Desai’
Article points out that Mamata Banerjee’s reaction is intolerance towards criticism of the cartoons. And the act of parliament banning cartoons in the books was because politicians were getting offended. However, in both the cases the acts of such reactions over mere cartoons are nothing, but the acts of silencing critique and dissent, the writer states is a recipe for manufacturing silence.
Summary:
It sounds like the times when everything including press was controlled by the government. Aren’t we regressing instead of progressing? Let’s just face it will keep happening even in democracy because these people can do it with power in their hands. Let’s not let it happen anymore!
Learn Words from the article:
Intolerance: Bigotry
Presumptive: Of the nature of a presumption
Dissent: Disagree
