To be Indian or not to be...

Take any recent newspaper - you will find at least one report of attacks on women for 'wearing Western attire' or 'walking around at night alone', and many more . Such acts cannot be justified whatever reason the attackers have. Hiding under the cover of 'preserving Indianness' , these people are promoting intolerance. If wearing jeans is un-Indian, how many of these self- appointed custodians of Indian culture wear traditional Indian dhoti? Or is it something that is applicable only to women? How can wearing a dress of one's own choice make anyone less Indian? Aren't there more pressing issues than making a furore about youth celebrating Valentines' day or wearing jeans? Indianness is not defined by a person's dress or his dining habits. Rather being Indian is all about having love and respect for one's own country and its people irrespective of caste, creed or gender. It is about fulfilling the vision of the countless martyrs who laid down their life for the freedom of this country - to build a truly independent and developed India. This is a country whose constitution advocates equality and upholds freedom of individuals. Such outrageous acts by anyone should be considered an attack against basic human rights and individual freedom. The government needs to take strict and effective action against such attacks and ensure the safety of women. As one of my friends rightly put it, if beating up innocent women is Indianness, then I don't want to be an Indian.