Dear Rehana Khan, there is no reason why the followers of all religions cannot co-exist peacefully in India when an orthodox country like Saudi Arabia, following Wahabi Islam allows Hindus, Christians, etc to work in their country.
The real strength of our country is harmony in variety. There are only a handful of people who harbour any hatred for the followers of other religions. This is an exception rather than a rule.
As you hv mentioned earlier, the Godhra incident was really despicable but we have learn a lesson from the same and move forward. I was at Vatva in Ahmedabad a day before the incident for evaluation of a factory owned by a Muslim and my report was sent to our H.O. after the tragic event. Still I had recommended purchase of materials from them and had called up the owner of the factory to enquire about his welfare.
I fully agree with you that the females are supressed in all religions. Before the French Revolution, the concept of equality was unheard of. As the religions were founded by men and they had a notion that the females of the species are meant for their enjoyment, equality was not allowed (rather prescribed supression in the name of non-existent gods!) Education of girls is very important as shaping the future generation is in their hands. An old Tamil song roughly translates to "every child is good at birth, but it is the upbringing by his mother which makes him good or bad"
