The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Kandhamal assault

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Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008
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Kandhamal assault

The report of violence against Christians in Orissa (September 30) is one of the most blatant instances of crimes against the minorities. By not punishing the perpetrators, society further grants impunity to all those who wish to pursue an anti-minority agenda.

Regardless of the reasons behind such violence, India’s approach to religiously motivated crimes needs to change. Legislation incorporating hate crime provisions into the criminal procedure code can provide an effective mechanism to signal to perpetrators, victims and society as a whole that violence and hatred against the minorities will not be tolerated, and that India is committed to its annihilation.

T. Marx,

Puducherry

* * *

In the last 10 years, the Bajrang Dal has acquired strength to act the way it does today. The Centre must show enough courage to ban the outfit now before it grows to match the jehadhi terrorists.

Ebe Sunder Raj,

Chennai

* * *

Someone said religion makes its followers blind. The Orissa incidents show that it converts a man into an animal as well. I appreciate The Hindu for its balanced coverage and for giving an ear to the cry of the needy.

B. Ganesh,

Chennai

* * *

The brutalities in Orissa will haunt our minds. A cow bitten by a rabid dog can become rabid and infectious. The communal violence in India poses a similar situation.

Anu Paul,

Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

“Shame” is a less expressive word to bring out our hurt feelings at the incidents in Kandhamal. It is shocking to know that the members of the armed police staff were watching the act without trying to stop the perpetrators. It is not barbarism against Christianity but against womanhood and humanity.

R. Ponnarassi,

Vellore

* * *

If 12 policemen from the Orissa State Armed Police could do nothing but to stand and watch a gang rape, what good would it do if 10 more companies of Central paramilitary forces are given to the State government? The plea for additional forces is nothing but a ploy to shift the blame and provide cover for the continuing systematic vandalism against the Christian community.

Alexander George,

Thrissur

* * *

The Prime Minister needs to do more than just call it a national shame. The Orissa government is culpable in not having provided adequate security to the victims.

N. Sekar,

Salem

* * *

The exclusive report makes for distressing reading. The perpetrators of such obnoxious crimes cannot be considered to be representing any religion. Even in the past, police had been guilty of inaction during communal violence and contributing to the alienation among the minority communities.

P. Prasand Thampy,

Thiruvalla

* * *

The 12-member Armed Police Force have caused abysmal shame and ignominy to not only the Orissa police but also the entire security forces. How wrong we were in assuming that we were safe in their hands.

Baikadi Suryanarayana Rao,

Bangalore

* * *

How can an elected government and its officials encourage vengeful elements to take control of the law and order problem? The courage displayed by the priest was exemplary.

S. Sudhir Kumar,

Hyderabad

* * *

The incidents in Gujarat, Orissa and Karnataka only show that India’s image as a secular country is no longer a reality. The Centre should take immediate steps without waiting for the State to take any action.

K. Chithra,

Chennai

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Committing such heinous crime against a person, who has taken the vow of chastity, makes it doubly condemnable. Blame game — the States blaming the Centre and vice versa — seems to be the escape route for governments which failed to take effective steps against those responsible.

K.K.Cherian,

Bangalore

* * *

The five-column front-page display of the incident smacks of sensationalism. A casual reader will think that it happened yesterday while the report is based on a telephonic talk with Fr. Chellan from Kerala. It would have been appropriate to publish the report in the inside page.

R. Gopimony,

Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

It is true the situation is appalling but the report should have been couched in “less offensive” words. The media is obliged to water down communal frenzy.

M.S. Kunchitham,

Chennai

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