The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Hindu ethos?

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Friday, Nov 26, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Hindu ethos?

Sir, — The BJP president, L.K. Advani, in his address to the BJP's national executive committee, has said the arrest of the Kanchi Sankaracharya is an attack on Hinduism. What about the murder of Sankararaman, also a Hindu and ardent devotee of the Paramacharya, who was murdered in the very premises of a Hindu temple? Was that not an attack on the Hindu ethos?

It is time the BJP severed its links with communal forces and went to the people with political issues rather than unsaleable religious issues.

J. Kannan,
Pudukottai, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — The DMK leader, M. Karunanidhi's claim that the arrest is personally and politically motivated is significant. So is the retraction of confession by two of the co-accused, Kathiravan and Rajini.

In the light of such U-turns, will it be proper to keep the Acharya in jail?

N. Chandramohan Rao,
Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — The DMK president owes an explanation to the people for the shift in his stance. By attributing motives to the Acharya's arrest, he has relegated the most important question — whether anyone deserves to be above the law in a democracy — to the background.

Manohar Alembath,
Coimbatore, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, would not have given the go-ahead to the police to arrest the Seer without satisfying herself about his involvement in the murder.

Also, there is not much protest against the move from the common people of Kancheepuram in particular, and Tamil Nadu in general. This is something the Mutt should ponder over.

R. Venkatesan Iyengar,
Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — The Acharya's arrest has dealt a body blow to millions of his devotees. Aside from his prestige and stature, the image and credibility of a highly respected Mutt has also been tarnished. The honourable thing for the Acharya to do would be to abdicate his position and face the charges as a common citizen of the land.

K. Venkateswaran,
Coimbatore, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — First, the leaders of regional political parties sensationalised the arrest of the Seer. Then the electronic media, through its disinformation campaign and premature verdicts, fanaticised it. Even when the bail plea was being heard, by addressing the Seer as an "undeserving criminal," the Public Prosecutor sensationalised it. The lawyers of the Bar Association, Kancheepuram, who made an issue of the Acharya being kept in their room for a short while, blew it up further. And when the BJP protested against all this, it was accused of fanaticising the issue.

N. Chandrasekaran,
Thanjavur, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — What is wrong in the BJP taking to the streets? After all, the people's court is the ultimate seat of justice in a democracy.

Shalivahan Sharangpani,
Boston, Massachusetts

* * *

Sir, — The arrest has been politicised disproportionately. Leaders who can influence the masses should appeal to all to wait for the rule of law to prevail.

A.T.M. Anwar,
Hyderabad

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