The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Unfortunate

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Thursday, Sep 30, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Unfortunate

Sir, — The attack on the nuns of the Missionaries of Charity in the most politically conscious State of Kerala reminds me of the Latin adage corruptio optimi pessima (the corruption of the best is the worst of all). Hope the powers-that-be act swiftly to ameliorate the situation.

Rex S. Arul,
Smyrna, Georgia

Sir, — Until a decade ago, there were no communal tensions in Kerala. Religious fanatics of the Sangh Parivar and some Islamic extremist outfits are the ones sowing the seeds of hatred and religious intolerance. Successive governments failed to nip them in the bud for short-term gains.

O.D. Damodaran,
Thrissur, Kerala

Sir, — The attack is the fallout of the enduring myth that if a Christian missionary works for the health or social uplift of the poor, he has only one objective — conversion. The Missionaries of Charity are selfless and motivated. They pick up the unwanted from the streets and give them food, clothes and shelter.

As for the Kenyan priest, I have never heard this problem of foreigners and religious work in the context of foreigners working for ISKCON in India. Is this another case of double standards?

George Paul,
Salem, T.N.

Sir, — The editorial, "Communal thuggery in Kerala" (Sept. 29) rightly highlights the emergence of the ugly face of communal politics in the State.

But your portrayal of the hate politics of the Sangh Parivar on a par with the activities of the Islamic groups and the Christian-dominated Kerala Congress factions is not fair.

While these groups do engage in communal politics, their activities take the form of political bargaining for getting maximum benefits. They cannot be accused of spreading hatred.

G. Radhakrishnan,
Thiruvananthapuram

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