I just want to narrate an incident and how a comment aroused a sentiment in me which surprised me.

I have many friends. My Best Friend is a Muslim. She once went to TamilNadu along with her Sister and Brother-in-law and their son. They went to visit a Dargah(Muslim's holy place) and to buy some sarees and dress material in Madras. Meanwhile they visited Velangini church which is famous worldwide and they also visited Rameswaram. TamilNadu is famous for temples. SriLanka is very near through Sea Route. There they had seen stones which float on water. It is a belief that Lord Shri Rama walked on the stone bridge built by Vanaras(Monkeys) to go to SriLanka where Sita, his wife, was a captive of Ravana, King of Lanka.

As they were Muslims, they were denied Hotel Rooms. After much difficulty they got the room. In the temple, there is no entry for the people of other religions. My friend and her sister kept Bindi on their forehead as Hindus and had the Darshan. My friend has bought a garland to me which can be used as a Door Decorative. We used it as a Garland to our Lord Shirdi Sai Baba.

Her Sister commented like this:- "Being Muslims we came here without hesitation. What is there for them to allow us?". She got angry and declared that she will never visit Hindu places of worship where there is no entry for the people of other religions. When my friend said to me about this, I didn't respond. We understand the compulsions of those people. Ul -Uma, a muslim terrorist outfit, was active in those days and is creating havoc in that state. They are threatening to damage the Hindu places of worship. So the authorities are taking the necessary measures and so the Hotel people do not want to take any risks.

Later a question aroused in my mind. Muslim Ladies are not allowed to their Mosques. They do not question or comment about it. Where is the right for her sister to question some one else's practise which is traditional and customary? There are very few temples like this which practise this old tradition. In Most of the places, all are allowed. Churches are far better in this aspect.

I feel myself as secular but sometimes I doubt when these kinds of questions arouse. But later I comfort myself that these are the sentiments which are operating in the subconscious level. We are secular but does it mean to keep quiet if anyone comment our religion or our practises? I understood why tensions arouse among the different communities. Me and her sister didn't converse directly and also we are friends. So we kept quiet. But people who are aggressive be easily aroused and the other countries make use of these sensitive issues to create communal riots in our country.

If we are not secular, shall the country be at this stage? Before and After the Independence also, we live together without any disturbances.
Anyway, I want your response on this article. Especially to my feeling of Sentiments.