I read yesterday that the BJP party workers went berserk at the Taj Mahal. They vandalized India's most famous monument, peed all over the gardens and fountains, heckled the women tourists especially the foreigners and also passed lewd comments on the honeymooners. The Central Government, of which the BJP is the main member, has ordered a high level enquiry. They wish to find out what is it that makes BJP party workers flip out. But then BJP party work is to flip out and destroy historical places. Remember that Babri Masjid episode. Which is why India did not have a leg to stand on chastising the Taliban for destroying the Bamiyan statues. They just turned around and cited our example.

Then we have the Shahi Imam of New Delhi. The guy abuses his fundamental rights. The right to freedom of speech does not include statements to incite communal disharmony. The right to freedom of religion does not include glorifying a person who is a known terrorist just because he happens to be of the same religion. The Imam should have a gag order placed on him. He comes across as an irresponsible religious leader. His latest statement glorifies Osama, condemns the US air strikes, and is a call rousing all Muslims to fight for their brethren. The Imam needs to understand that the only brethren the Indian Muslims have are fellow Indians. Condemning the air strikes is one thing but to ask his followers to fight for the Afghans just because they are Muslims is putting religion before nation. The global alliance is going after Afghanistan because it hosts the prime suspect and is infamous for its terror training camps. If the global alliance were against Islam, it would target all the countries from which the 18 terrorists hailed - from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. Obviously to the Imam his religion is more important than his country. The Government should airdrop the Shahi Imam into Afghanistan for his anti-national sentiments and provide him the opportunity to fight for his 'brethren.'

Colin Powell comes a-visiting to "ease the tensions" between India and Pakistan. We are two third world nations with the N-bomb. So big brother is coming to lean on us. I totally appreciate the recent Indian shelling on the LOC. "Welcome, Mr. Powell." The Pakis or rather Musharraf has pledged indefinite support to the Americans. Such a team player, that Musharraf. All this makes you wonder what it is that the US has offered Pakistan to make them lie down and play dead. Maybe it's Kashmir. Maybe Mushy has been promised the Nobel Peace prize next year for his efforts in the sub-continent. After all Kofi Annan got it mainly for "making the UN work with the US."