Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Secular nationalism

This refers to the article “Reinvigorate secular nationalism” (Sept. 25). The author is right in asserting that the major contributing factor to unbridled terrorism is the increasing resentment among the minorities. The recent upsurge of fanatical forces such as the VHP has further whipped up communal frenzy. The Prime Minister should at least now turn his attention to the unrest in the country. Protecting the interests of the minorities is of utmost importance in the face of attempts to erode the nation’s social fabric.

Lalit Vohra,

New Delhi

I don’t miss an opportunity to read Malini Parthasarathy’s articles. They deserve serious consideration by the Congress. I am sure the people at the helm will chalk out strategies required to explain to the electorate about the destructive forces of cultural nationalism led by politicians like Narendra Modi, who obtained a seal of approval from the Gujarat electorate.

P. Ramalingam,

Chennai

Any measure taken to counter terrorism will be rendered futile in the absence of a strong political will and a readiness to place national security interests above party interests. India has the collective ability to target all forms of terrorism. However, the will and preparedness to give the highest priority to security are yet to manifest themselves in practice.

A.K. Shahinsha,

Dharapuram

The article made interesting reading. But it did not dwell upon the plight of Kashmiri Hindu minorities driven out of the State by the majority. The minority group, though pushed to the wall by the fundamentalists, did not take to terrorism to settle scores.

J.N. Mahanty,

Puri

The attempt to interrelate the BHP, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal with SIMI and IM is beyond my understanding. There are media reports which say Bajrang Dal activists displayed inhuman behaviour towards Christians. But is it terrorism? L.K. Advani’s rath yatra no doubt provoked Hindus and the destruction of the disputed structure provoked Muslim extremists but not in the way the article describes. The demolition intensified the Muslim community’s hatred towards the RSS, the VHP and the BJP. And the Mumbai blasts that followed were an attack on Indian sovereignty. They did not target Hindus or Hinduism.

Sure, the demolition led to the BJP’s rise but it was more to do with luck. The BJP hijacked an issue that had existed for years and which had been exploited by all other political parties. The 2002 riots have two sides to them. It is ridiculous to compare terrorist groups like SIMI and IM with the BJP, the VHP and the RSS. Surprisingly, the secular credentials of leaders of parties that directly or indirectly support groups like SIMI are never questioned but the RSS and the VHP are accused of being communal.

Saurabh,

Fatehpur

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