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Settle the dispute
This refers to the article, “BJP can’t deny its role”" by Koenraad Elst (November 27). Mr Elst has rightly blamed various parties, including the Government, the English media, the intellectuals, and the BJP for the Babri Masjid demolition while arguing that a more orderly procedure to replace the mosque with a temple should have been followed.
It is tough to question the existence of a Ram temple at the place where the mosque existed before its demolition. Ram Janmabhoomi holds the same exalted place for Hindus as Kaba does for Muslims and Temple Mount for Jews. Yet, twisted notions of secularism are keeping the dispute alive and, in the process, wasting the energies of millions of people.
The need of the hour, therefore, is a negotiated settlement between Hindus and Muslims. The role of political leaders, on the other hand, as mentioned by the author, should be to chart a political roadmap towards a negotiated temple construction and then staying the course. This will avoid unfortunate incidents in the future.
It is in this context that one cannot fail to agree with the author when he says that reconciliatory steps initiated by Rajiv Gandhi to accommodate Hindus sentiments on Ayodhya were pragmatic, even though not quite noble, and would have saved a lot of lives. Unfortunately such reconciliatory steps could not be carried to their logical conclusion whereby a mutually negotiated settlement could have ended the dispute forever by constructing the Ram temple.
BP Srivastava
Noida |
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Hindi is useful
Sir—This refers to the letter, “Hindi is a compulsion” by TT Sakaria (November 28). Most Indians who learn English don’t do so in order to maintain national unity or out of love for the language. It is an useful language to communicate with others who understand the language. Likewise, Hindi comes handy while conversing with people who understand it, even in a non-Hindi-speaking State. Further, a person hailing from the Hindi-belt will have to learn the local language if he or she lives in a non-Hindi-speaking region. Nobody has to feel ‘compelled’ to learn Hindi. It is only a necessity in certain parts of the country.
G Din
via e-mail |
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It’s the turn of Muslims
Sir—This refers to the report, “Amar antics in RS to appease SP’s core constituency” (November 25). As a ‘secularist’ I protest your reporting of Mr Amar Singh’s conduct in Parliament as ‘antic’ and ‘unruly’. If Hindus can shout ‘Jai Shri Ram’, it is a measure of the Hindu ethos that we are free to shout ‘Ya Ali’ too. It only remains for our Muslim brethren to express secular solidarity with us by shouting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
Krishen Kak
via e-mail |
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Advani is right
Sir—This refers to the heated exchange of words between Leader of Opposition LK Advani and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Lok Sabha over inadequate compensation to the victims of 26/11 and their families. There is no denying the fact that Mr Advani was right in questioning the Government’s response to the terror attacks in Mumbai last year. If the Government has failed to compensate all the victims even after a year, it speaks volumes about official apathy and inefficiency. So, by all means, please fault the Opposition for its tone, but do not object if it is doing its job — asking the Government some tough, relevant and inconvenient questions about its performance.
Karan Thakur
New Delhi |
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Review mid-day meals
Sir—This refers to the report, “Over 110 fall ill at Trilokpuri school after midday meal” (November 26). Incidents of mid-day meals causing sickness are now quite common with frogs, lizards, rats, etc, being often found in the food provided under the Government-funded programme which covers 12 crore school children. There are frequent reports of sub-standard and adulterated rice and pulses being used to cook mid-day meal in schools. As a solution to this problem, only packaged food, but not items like biscuits, should be served in schools to ensure hygiene. While reminding big food products manufactures of their corporate responsibility, the Government can encourage them to partially sponsor the mid-day meal programme.
Madhu Agrawal
Delhi |
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