Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Unfortunate

The violence in different parts of Tamil Nadu following the desecration of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy's statue in Srirangam is unfortunate. The desecration seems to be the work of some miscreants to provoke retaliation and create social tensions. The extreme elements in all parties and outfits should be restrained by their leaders immediately. Otherwise, the image of Tamil Nadu as a haven of peace will suffer.

S. Venugopalan,
Chennai

* * *

Social harmony in Tamil Nadu is becoming fragile with intolerance increasing by the day. All those involved in the desecration of EVR's statue and attacks on temples should be dealt with severely.

B. Kousalya,
Chennai

* * *

It is surprising that EVR's followers who are opposed to religion and idol worship should be so keen on putting up a statue of him. In view of the tensions created by desecration of statues, the Government should bring a law banning their installation in public places and remove the existing ones.

S. Usha,
New Delhi

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The desecration of Periyar's statue and the violence that followed reinforce the irrationality of people, particularly politicians. The many statues of Periyar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and scores of leaders are languishing on the streets without proper care. What is the need for one more, that too at a controversial place? What we need are not statues and empty slogans. It is important to follow the teachings of our leaders.

J.V.V. Murthy,
Coimbatore

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The attack on Hindu temples in Chennai, Villupuram, and Erode by Dravidian groups deserves to be condemned. Unfortunately, attacks on temples do not seem to evoke the kind of response attacks on places of worship of other religions do among the powers that be.

S. Srinivasan,
Chennai

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Putting up statues indiscriminately is becoming a dangerous trend that needs to be curbed. Statues of political leaders and gods, roadside temples, shrines and dargahs are virtual time bombs. Realising the mischief potential involved, more and more anti-social elements take advantage of the situations arising from statue desecration and the like to create law and order problems. Every city should have a park in which statues of leaders can be installed, guarded, and honoured.

Col. Ram Gulrajani (retd.),
Chennai

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