Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On imperial apologists

The article "Imperial apologists peddle poisonous fairytale" (OP-ED, June 29) questioning the myth that the Western world and its ideas led to the progress of the colonised world, exposing, at the same time, the atrocities committed by imperialist nations, was brilliant.

With the imperialist agenda once again taking root, it is time to revisit history and draw parallels with the current world situation where, in the guise of a "war on terror" and a clash of civilisations, the U.S. and its allies are seeking to enslave the Third world.

Furqan Shaikh,
Bangalore

* * *

The colonialists destroyed whole ways of life in the name of civilising people. It is ironic that the improvement of the so-called savage races was sought to be achieved through greater savagery. We see the consequences of these efforts today in Australia, Africa, South and North America. Ways of life and economic strengths have been disrupted. Alien lifestyles have been imposed on original inhabitants. If anything, the colonialists owe an apology to these nations. Sanitising history will not make colonial rule look benevolent.

H.N. Ramakrishna,
Bangalore

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