Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Intolerance

This refers to the editorial, ‘Competitive intolerance’ (Dec. 5) on the Taslima Nasreen issue . It is paradoxical that while we have adopted a secular democratic Constitution, in practice our polity has failed to follow such norms, particularly when it comes to the fundamental right to expression. No one would contest the idea that the religious sentiments of any section of the population should be offended but what hurts the most is the chaos created by the religious fundamentalists. These people not only judge any work of art in their own whimsical manner but also set their arrogant parameters of writing and public discourse. Such politicians have often taken contradictory stands in different situations involving different religions. Should it be not enough that in no case and at no time should the state or a section of society curtail one’s religious rights nor should anyone attempt to curtail one’s freedom of expression unless it is against the professed state policy or intends to spread communal hatred and hostility?

Ved K. Guliani,

I do not think that any of our national parties will take note of your suggestion and make a move to remove Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code from the statute book. If, by chance, such a move materialises, whether it succeeds or not, it will at least have one positive benefit: it will bring both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists together to protest against it.

Nirmala Asokan,

Your suggestion that Section 295A of the IPC be removed from the statute book is, in a way, acceptable. Since each one of us rests on our own faith and opinion, it is good to allow others also to stand by their own faith and opinion.

Also, if only we could tolerate other people who differ from us, most problems in the world could be solved.

A.J. Rangarajan,

It was her decency that led Ms Nasreen to delete from her book Dwikhandita the offensive passages on Islam. However, the bigots could see this as a chance to enforce their bigotry.

It is strange why some people, be they Muslims, Hindus, Christians or Jews, feel offended and threatened by an opinion that is contrary to their scriptures or beliefs. Are their beliefs so fragile as to crumble in the face of a different view?

Anilkumar K.,

A writer or artiste hardly ever intentionally tries to create bad blood. It is the politicians who seek to create schisms among themselves as well in the legislative/parliamentary systems and governments to reap the benefits of the resulting chaos and confusion.

R.K. Divakara,

These days, protests by hardcore religious elements are on the rise and protest demonstrations are instigated at the slightest pretext. How many of the protesters have read Ms Nasreen’s book? If a few passages in the book were offensive, in their minds, to their religious sentiments they could have countered it by writing explanations. Ms Nasreen’s action of deleting a few passages will not be a victory to the religious bigots. Although she deleted a few lines succumbing to the pressure, her views remain the same and no one can change that.

It was Russian playwright Anton Chekhov who said “love, friendship and respect do not unite people as much as a common hatred from something,” and the religious bigots could use it very shrewdly and cause disturbance.

V. Pandy,

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