Incredible America

The First Amendment of the US Constitution, the religious establishment clause, has been construed in some US court decisions to prohibit in schools recitation of prayers or meditation with varying references to religion on the ground that it breaks the wall of separation between the State and the Church. These decisions have been roundly criticised by Church authorities and religious groups as anti-God and anti-religion. This issue is highly emotive in the states. It is therefore incredible, though certainly welcome, that four US State legislatures are opening their sessions with Hindu prayers for the first time. The prayers would be recited by US based Hindu priest Rajan Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism and who had earlier recited the first Hindu prayers in the US Senate and many other State legislatures. After reciting in Sanskrit, he will read out the English translation of the prayer. Hurrah. It is hoped there will be no constitutional challenges to the recitation of these prayers. America indeed is incredible as it is unpredictable.

Shoe that pinched

Hurling a shoe at the visiting head of a foreign state and calling him a dog are certainly unpardonable even if the target is George W Bush, whose presidency has brought untold suffering to the Iraqi people. However, a punishment of three years’ imprisonment is grossly disproportionate. It smacks of vindictiveness and shows utter insensitivity to the motive impelling the act. A symbolic sentence of at the most a month’s imprisonment would have met the ends of justice. The sentence has transformed Muntazer al-Zaidi into a hero in Iraq and beyond. It has also refuelled anger against the United States. Is it not possible to grant a reprieve and introduce a leavening Obama touch which is the need of the hour?