Nerve Endings Firing Away

Manmohan Singh, an otherwise progressive economic reformer found himself stumbling for words when faced with a social question. When asked, about his views on same-sex marriages by a Canadian journalist, he feigned surprise and pretended not to have heard the question, mumbling “I am sorry; I don’t understand your question.” Upon being goaded further, he squeamishly admitted that he frankly had no answer and such a move would not be popular in India. Of course, we practice populist policies. Bring on the nukes; and Garibi Hatao!

The Akal Takht and the SGPC has been literally thrust into the intricacies of 21st century social issues while they are content languishing in the past. They refused to meet the Canadian PM Paul Martin, who supposedly supports same-sex marriages; so do number of his Canadian Sikh MPs [via Amardeep Singh]. I am not sure if they even were going to discuss the issue; meeting the prime minister wouldn’t tantamount to condoning same-sex marriage, if that is what they were afraid of. But finally, to avoid any further embarrassment, Paul Martin canceled his visit.

Organized Religion, gah!