The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Shocking

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007
ePaper

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Shocking

This refers to the brutal retaliation by local residents of Guwahati against Adivasi rallyists on Saturday, and the violence that marred the 36-hour Assam bandh called by the All-Adivasi Students Association of Assam to protest it. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the images of a naked young Adivasi girl being chased and assaulted in full view of the public. Violence by any section of society is condemnable.

But Saturday’s assault on the Adivasis was reflective of the people’s growing intolerance of the marginalised sections. It cannot be justified on the ground that it was retaliatory. Can we imagine such retaliation taking place against any other section or against violence perpetrated during political rallies?

K.P. Mari Kumar,

Madurai

* * *

The criminalisation of society appears to have grown rapidly, as witnessed by the horrendous scenes of violence against the helpless Adivasis who were exercising their democratic right to have their demands addressed. The criminality of the local residents — the terrible beating and the stripping of the Adivasi woman — exposed the callousness of the government to the Adivasis’ cause.

While political parties trade charges over the issue, the poor, marginalised and dispossessed are pushed further away into the arms of those who practise sectarianism and terrorist violence against the state.

Cynthia Stephen,

Bangalore

* * *

The assault on the Adivasi woman was brutal and barbaric. The incident is a slap in the face of Gandhiji’s nation that was founded on civilised values — democracy, the rule of law and justice. The perpetrators of the act should be given stringent punishment.

B.S. Selvakumar,

Vellore

* * *

As an Assamese, I strongly condemn the outrage. The northeast is known for respecting women. Saturday’s incident has brought shame to not only Assam but the whole country.

Ramesh Kumar Gandhi,

New Delhi

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

Opinion

News Update

Stories in this Section

Howard’s End

Regulating tobacco use

From military fatigues to civilian clothes

Last chance to catch Nazis, say campaigners

Corrections and clarifications

In defence of defending the reviled

Annapolis will not help set up a Palestinian state