Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

A setback

The editorial "The sword and the olive branch" (May 31) is a welcome voice in support of constitutional values among the darkening clouds of illiberalism and parochialism threatening the country. The Dera Sacha Sauda chief's alleged insult of Guru Gobind Singh is an issue to be resolved among religious leaders amicably, pursuant to the chief's apology. But the question of closing the deras and vacating the campuses are not issues to be resolved by clerics. The issue belongs squarely in the public realm and should be decided on the basis of the constitutional right of the citizens to follow the religion of their choice and worship however they deem fit. A government sworn to uphold the Constitution is duty bound to honour the rights enshrined in it, irrespective of its theocratic political base.

Srinivasan Venkataraman,
Petaluma, California

* * *

The so-called guardians of faith distort the meaning and significance of traditions and practices, not knowing how they originated in the first place. The fundamentalists in all religions betray little tolerance for even minor deviations by the followers. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is bound to act in accordance with the constitutional provisions. He cannot plead Panthic obligations. He is the Chief Minister of all the people, not a particular group.

M.K.D. Prasada Rao,
Ghaziabad

* * *

Forgiveness is a tenet common to all religions. By rejecting the Dera chief's apology, the Singh Sahibs have not only closed the door for peace but have also ignored the basic tenet of any religion.

V. Srivatsan,
Chennai

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Caste dynamics and reclassification
Race to the top
The urgency of educational reforms
Putting people's health before company profits
Corrections and Clarifications
Ideas cannot be killed
Blogs won't change the world
Moqtada al-Sadr is back
The Gujjar unrest
A setback
Well done!
Confirm claims

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu