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Apropos of “Against street censorship” (March 16), public intolerance is a recent trend. Unfortunately, it is growing in dangerous proportion across the board. As the Supreme Court held, “these days some people seem to be perpetually on a short fuse, and are willing to protest often violently, about anything under the sun on the ground that a book or painting or film has ‘hurt the sentiments’ of their community.” What is wrong with us is that even after 60 years of independence, there is not a single Indian in this country: there are only Maharashtrians, Biharis, Punjabis, Tamilians etc. In the circumstances, who would take on whom, even if the apex court suggests that intolerance be put down ‘with an iron hand. Aren’t we in a catch-22 situation?

The author says that the protest against “Jodhaa Akbar” is denial of the filmmaker’s freedom of expression. The Constitution states that freedom of expression should not hurt other’s sentimets. Here, the sentiments of Rajputs have been hurt. The filmmaker’s claim that the film is an entertainer won’t solve the problem. The protesters can’t be blamed because it will be a denial of their freedom of expression. While making historical films, directors should not use actual names of people.

Street censorship and intolerance have been growing like cancer. In fact it is not public intolerance but intolerance of a few unscrupulous, selfish politicians. If any one has objection to a film or novel, there are legal routes for protest. But tragically these matters are being dragged into the streets resulting in more communal disharmony and disturbances. Fundamentalist groups are holding society to ransom with the state and central governments being mute spectators. It is time that the government tackled such issues with an iron hand irrespective of political fall out and vote bank. How long is society to tolerate street censorship? As long as the politicians bank on the vote bank!

If “Mughal-E-Azam”, made more than four decades ago, continues to be appreciated even today, there is no reason why “Jodhaa Akbar” should be considered offensive. The reaction to the movie is proof that the degree of intolerance towards works of art and literature in contemporary India has reached a point where creative minds would find themselves severely constrained. Such hostile reactions would dampen creativity and render culture lifeless. Such negative tendencies should be defeated for creativity to thrive.

With reference to “Hit in the dark” by Sarah John (March 16), as a young woman, I was glad to have information about party drugs and their after effects. Blaming men alone for this would be wrong. Women should beware of such issues and take more care when it comes to their safety.

Ramachandra Guha’s “The Loyola tradition” (March 16) brought back pleasant memories of the Loyola College tennis courts, in which college I studied from 1949 to1952.One Seshaiah (if my memory is right) was then the reigning inter-collegiate tennis champion and was considered unbeatable. In 1949, a school boy was pitted against this giant. To everyone’s astonishment this young boy beat that giant (I think in straight sets) and that was how Ramanathan Krishnan was introduced to competitive tennis.

I did my M.Sc in Loyola College, Madras in the early 1960s and was also an an inmate of Loyola hostel. It was a treat to watch tennis matches on the Loyola courts. Ramanathan Krishnan was shaped into celebrity status on these courts. The tennis courts, especially court 1 and 2, were immaculately clean and superbly maintained by a team of marksmen, headed by Pannerselvam (If I remember right). Much credit goes to this man who toiled tirelessly to maintain the tennis courts. I have seen Ramanathan Krishnan hugging the marksmen warmly after every match he played on the Loyola campus.

Dr. Hiramalini Seshadri’s article “Fighting Alzheimer’s” (March 16) couldn’t have come at a better time. The article gives an insight into what life would be like for a patient and how progression can be checked. Rocked by many health threatening diseases, articles of this kind do a world of good. It would also help raise the spirits of the patient in leading a more meaningful life.

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