Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Decline in tolerance

That the tolerance level of our people has nose-dived to an all-time low is evident from the protests against the screening of The Da Vinci Code and Fanaa. I do not know how a film can hurt the sentiments of a particular group. Instead of calling for a ban, Christian leaders should allow The Da Vinci Code to be screened and impress upon their followers that there is no truth in it.

B.C. Unnikrishnan Nair,
Ottappalam, Kerala

The Da Vinci Code is doing well in all theatres around the world. People in Gujarat are crossing the border to see Fanaa. Bans and suspensions have only served to advertise the films and arouse curiosity.

Ramaswamy Krishnan,
Fremont, California

It is surprising that the Tamil Nadu Government ruled by the DMK has thought it fit to suspend the screening of The Code. It seems to have forgotten that the State is part of a nation that upholds secularism and democracy under a Constitution and that the Government of India did not find it necessary to ban the film.

S.P. Mallya,
Ernakulam, Kerala

Every religion preaches love and tolerance. No person, country or dogma can hold the world forever. Reactions occur when the world and thought progress. What is good in a religion will remain forever, whatever the challenges. Telugu poet Gurajada Appa Rao said a century ago that in the long run "all religions will disappear and only wisdom will remain." If children are bred in an atmosphere free of religion, there will be fewer divisions among citizens and cultures.

V.R.K. Raj,
Hyderabad

I fail to understand the public outcry over The Da Vinci Code. A film, book or any other medium of mass communication is entitled to creative licence. It is this licence Dan Brown has used in creating his work of fiction.

Anshul Dhamija,
Chennai

If a work hurts one's feelings, the best thing to do is to keep away from it. By arguing time and again that ours is a religiously sensitive country we lose a lot. We do not give a chance to our people to think beyond religion.

B. Ravi Kiran,
Hyderabad

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