Europe's Democracy: Secular All the Way

Banning the burqa is a hot-button issue in Europe, and several countries in the continent have already pressed it. However, across the Channel, mainline British parties won't touch it for fear of burning their fingers. Is it then worth the risk? Why not look the other way and get along with democracy as usual? Are there lessons in here for India?

For Europeans, in general, the burqa symbolises an anti-democratic way of life. This is why they find it so repugnant. Many have argued that European burqa-baiters are Christian fanatics, but that is an exaggeration. Whether conservative or radical, when it comes to the burqa there is near unanimity in the main streets of Europe, including the crossroads to the right and left. According to most Europeans, the only way democracy can condone the burqa is either to don one itself or stick its head in the sand. There is no third option!