The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Outrageous

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Friday, Jun 20, 2008
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Outrageous

It is a shame that political leaders get away with their outrageous comments. It is time the judiciary came down on the Shiv Sena leader, Bal Thackeray, for making the contentious statement that Hindu suicide squads should be created to fight “Islamic terrorism” (June 19). Although everyone has the right to freedom of speech, senior leaders need to exercise restraint while dealing with sensitive issues. Terrorism is a condemnable act irrespective of the religion in whose name it is perpetrated. By talking about Hindu suicide squads, Mr. Thackeray seems to justify terrorism. Killing innocent people is a heinous act and can have no justification.

Shahnaz Mohamed Thahir,

Kochi

* * *

Mr. Thackeray’s comments in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna are capable of instigating communal riots. India is a democratic republic, and unity in diversity is what makes it different from other countries. India is not a country of the majority. Any irresponsible remark based on religion can constitute a threat to the republic. It should be immediately challenged and condemned to ensure peace and unity.

Nazia R. Hassan,

Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

Mr. Thackeray’s suggestion is very dangerous and may cause irreparable damage to the secular fabric by influencing people, particularly the youth, who are vulnerable to such ideas. Countering terror with terror has been the Sena supremo’s agenda for years. But by encouraging the idea of a “Hindu suicide squad,” he is only attempting to widen the communal divisions. I agree terrorism in India is on the rise but Mr. Thackeray’s way is no way to tackle it.

A.R.K. Vidhatha,

Hyderabad

* * *

The Sena supremo’s ferocious call for the formation of Hindu suicide squads to fight terrorism deserves condemnation. In fact, the fanatical forces led by Mr. Thackeray and his ilk do not need a suicide squad, as they misuse all constitutional institutions to kill innocent masses, a la Gujarat and Mumbai .

N. Divakar,

Mysore

An experienced leader of Mr. Thackeray’s stature ought to know the impact of his latest utterances. A nation is not judged merely by the growth in its GDP, industrialisation or literacy rate. The intellect and maturity of its leaders are equally important. Let us not forget that an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.

Parvathi Pradeep,

Kochi

* * *

Hinduche Phuske bomb; ka ijjat ghalawta and Sharmanak phisaddi bomb were the titles of the inflammatory editorials in Saamna. In his vitriolic comments, he said had the Hindu right-wing activists who planted a bomb in the Gadkari auditorium of Thane (injuring seven persons), instead of exploding crackers, terrorised the “mini Pakistans,” it would have been an act of “saving the Hindu society.”

These and other inflammatory remarks made by the Shiv Sena chief are egregious and expose his pathological state of mind. He should be booked or at least forced to apologise for making such incendiary remarks that amount to encouraging violence and terrorism. Whether the government acts or not, secular and true followers of religions should vow to remove such leaders from the political scene.

Khan Yasir,

New Delhi

* * *

Terrorism has no religion and the worst affected by suicide attacks is the common man. Innocent lives are lost while people like Mr. Thackeray remain safe behind a high security cover. Their objective is to provoke people and create chaos and panic to get publicity. A law should be enacted to punish public figures who indulge in thoughtless and dangerous provocation. The people should condemn such comments lest the leaders who make them leave no ground for peaceful existence.

Pooja Ahalawat,

New Delhi

* * *

Mr. Thackeray’s advocacy of Hindu suicide bombers is unfortunate and dangerous. He is neither the guardian nor the saviour of the Hindu community. No Hindu can accept such irresponsible suggestions. The mindless rhetoric does more harm than good to the community as well as the nation. We strongly believe in the dictum of vasudaiva kutumbakam — the entire world is one family.

J. Meghanath Reddy,

Kadapa

* * *

The Sena chief’s statement is a clear call inciting violence. It is criminal and should be condemned at the highest level. If terrorism is the answer to terrorism, the people can never live in peace. For, it is the common man who is going to die irrespective of who strikes terror.

P. Guru Prasad,

Chennai

* * *

Mr. Thackeray’s comments are vitriol of the worst kind. It is unfortunate that he has been getting away after making blatantly dangerous comments for too long. The state looks the other way whenever he indulges in such kind of subversive and anti-national activities. By not taking any action against the Shiv Sena chief, the state is encouraging him to indulge in more such acts.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,

Srirangam

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