Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Karnataka violence

The violence that broke out in two districts of Karnataka following the publication of an article, a translation of an essay purportedly written by Taslima Nasreen on the burqa, has once again brought to the fore the issue of freedom of expression in a democratic civil society. Fringe elements belonging to all religions are under the illusion that the rights they enjoy are god-given. They use the works of a writer or creative artist that are unacceptable to them to create mass hysteria. Thanks to them, the line between hurting one's religious sentiments and being critical of a religious practice gets blurred.

Abidali E. Edakkattil,

Ernakulam

With Ms Nasreen clarifying that she did not write the article, the translation of which was carried in the Kannada daily, would it not be appropriate to take action against the newspaper? It ignored the basic principles of journalism which sparked the irrational protests.

Jaya Venkitachalam,

Chennai

No doubt, violent protests against articles in newspapers should be condemned. But the editor of the Kannada daily is equally responsible for the violence, more so because Ms Nasreen has denied writing the article.

A. Nazrulla,

Thiruvananthapuram

Constructive criticism is welcome. Islam, too, offers the scope for it. But the writings of Taslima Nasreen and Salman Rushdie are not constructive. They are aimed at hurting the feelings of Muslims. Protests against them and their so-called literary works are, therefore, justified. Of course, they should be democratic in nature.

Mohammed Maqsood Ali,

Hyderabad

Righteous indignation is permissible in a democracy and recourse to violence at times is expected, if not condoned. But unleashing mayhem on the slightest pretext involving religion is unacceptable. Does anyone have the right to cause deaths and damage property over an article that expresses someone's opinion?

K.S. Lakshmi,

Madurai

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