Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Freedom encroached

The article "Encroaching on individual freedoms" (Oct. 4) gives a woman's perspective of issues blown out of proportion. The larger issue at stake is intolerance, which has become the casualty thanks to some groups driven by self-seeking publicity. These groups are under the illusion that they exercise a great degree of control over society. But, as the age-old adage goes, it is change that is permanent.

S.P. Nathan,
Chennai

* * *

The sudden trend catching on in Chennai to enforce uniformity in the name of Tamil culture is rather disturbing. What is even more disturbing is that the move seems to target women. The publication of photos from a private party should have rightfully invited action against the newspaper that carried them. Instead the police thought it fit to go after the hotel and the guests. Protests against Khushboo's remarks on sexuality also smack of hypocrisy. The protesters thought nothing of the magazine which carried her comments but raised hell over her remarks made in a context. Such intolerance and double standards do not augur well for the future of Chennai, which wants to become a global city.

Ram Viswanathan,
Chennai

* * *

Man has all along been used to doing what he wants and hitherto remained unquestioned. To a large extent, `moral policing' seems to originate from the insecurity of those men who are afraid of the growing independence of women.

Niranjan Sankar,
Madurai, T.N.

* * *

Pushing moral values down one's throat, however noble the intention, will not work. The ideal thing to do would be to influence the minds of the target group in a subtle manner so as to bring about the desired change. Unless the authorities do this, the debate will go on endlessly not only with no fruitful conclusion but with increasing all-round bitterness and conflict emanating from a clash of opinions.

Pradeep S. Desai,
Chennai

* * *

No dark colours, no sleeveless tops, no jeans — if only Anna University and other private colleges in Chennai can be more precise and tell their students what combination to wear each day, it will be more helpful. From the next academic year, they should mention in their prospectus what dress is allowed and what is banned. They can also, for the convenience of students, mention what colour should be worn each day. Here is a suggestion. The colleges can have a tailor appointed on the Board of directors/trustees to look into details such as the length of the kameez, its texture, design, and shade. It looks like only students are banned from ragging fellow students.

Abdul Monim,
Mumbai

* * *

The upsurge in moral policing seems to be an offshoot of the dress code imposed by Anna University. But the culture cops are partisan, targeting only women.

P.U. Krishnan,
Udhagamandalam, T.N.

* * *

Rajaji said: "There are two ways of achieving anything — force and gentle persuasion. Force induces resistance which may be overcome, but leaves behind something that robs the achievement of its pleasure." Though the statesman had strong personal views on prohibition, morality, and education, he believed more in persuasion rather than in the use of brute force to reform society.

V. Jayaraman,
Chennai

* * *

That Khushboo has been forced to tender an apology, and a spate of cases has been filed against her just because she spoke her mind is appalling. It appears that the belligerent reaction is meant to just harass the actor and gain cheap publicity for the so-called torchbearers of culture. Khushboo is entitled to her opinion and it is unfortunate that she should be cowed down into retracting it. The judiciary should dismiss the irresponsible litigation with exemplary costs.

Srimathi Venkatachari,
Chennai

* * *

I wonder what is more derogatory to women, the opinion expressed by Khushboo in her personal capacity or the vulgar drama enacted by political parties under the guise of upholding the dignity of women.

Subbiah Venkataraman,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

Liberalisation and globalisation have changed the social milieu; the young are caught between tradition and modernity. Discotheques, drinks, and pre-marital sex are increasingly becoming acceptable to many sections of society. Culture is nobody's exclusive preserve. The solution lies not in the hands of any regulatory body but in the minds of individuals.

P.J. Raman,
Chennai

* * *

Anna University's guidelines on dress and mobile phones are laudable. The attempt should be seen in the right perspective, rather than as a curtailment of individual freedom. A student can wear what he or she wants outside the campus. Amidst yellow journalism, third-rate TV soaps, and a decadent culture, moral policing is not a dirty phrase at all.

M. Elamurugan,
Chennai

* * *

A dress code would seem unfair only in cosmopolitan cities. Colleges of Anna University are scattered throughout Tamil Nadu. In places other than Chennai, modernisation has certainly not taken place to the extent of permitting individual freedom to interfere with the social norms nurtured by Tamil culture.

S.T. Daniel,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

* * *

Here is yet another suggestion. Male teachers should come to college dressed in dhotis or kurta-pyjamas to preserve the Indian tradition. Women teachers should wear only saris and full-sleeve blouses. Such role modelling will better inspire students to come decently dressed.

Richa Joshi Pant,
Dehra Dun

* * *

Time was when, even in the absence of a dress code, schoolteachers used to don a coat and a turban. Lecturers and professors used to look elegant in full suits. But, of late, the teaching community has also been dressing in a casual manner. One can see even senior professors in half-sleeve shirts and chappals. There is a crying need for a dress code for the teaching staff, making it mandatory for men to wear full-sleeve shirts, ties, and shoes. This will definitely enhance their respect among students.

C.N. Raghavan,
Chennai

* * *

There is a hue and cry over the dress code. One way to set the issue at rest is to have uniforms.

C. Ram Mohun,
Vijayawada, A.P.

* * *

When women students fail to dress modestly, a dress code becomes necessary. Actors must keep to acting, and not supersede parents to advise youngsters on pre-marital sex. Culture is a shared system. As a gateway of the future Chennai beckons people to admire and enjoy its culture, not destroy it. A right is a claim by an individual and it needs the sanction of the community and the state.

B.S. Selvakumar,
Vellore, T.N.

* * *

While youngsters absorb all undesirable things, they do not seem to imbibe the discipline, work culture and the law-abiding nature of the people of the West.

V. Padmanabhan,
Santa Barbara, California

* * *

Progressiveness and freedom are not synonymous with skimpy clothes, nightclubs, and sexual freedom. Gandhiji also asked people to boycott foreign-made clothes and wear khadi, for a cause.

Was he opposed to progress? Those who cite the West to support their argument would do well to remember that even Westerners admire our tradition and are increasingly making efforts to adopt it. If nightclub culture continues to grow, a day will come when we will have to emulate the Western values that were once ours.

Gourishankar S. Hireamth,
Gulbarga, Karnataka

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