Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Togadia's arrest

Sir, — Apropos your Editorial `Violating the rule of law' (April 18) , any dithering on the part of the Rajasthan Government would have emboldened the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, Praveen Togadia, and his ilk to become more imaginative and introduce a whole range of ancient weaponry like maces, spears, swords, bows and arrows into our troubled polity.

In normal times, the civilised society would have laughed and scoffed at Mr. Togadia's medieval mindset that seeks to make a show of distributing and possessing tridents. But, unfortunately, we are not living in normal times, and so Mr. Togadia's attempts at fomenting communal trouble should be nipped in the bud.

We, the silent majority in the Hindu society, would be doing a great disservice to our religion if we remain a mute witness to attempts by fringe elements like the VHP to hijack Hinduism.

R. Venkatesan Iyengar,

Gulbarga, Karnataka

* * *

Sir, — The Government in Rajasthan should be congratulated for having the courage to arrest Mr. Togadia. Like many Sangh Parivar leaders, Mr. Togadia believes that he is above the law.

The trishul (trident) is sought to be used as a weapon to protect Hinduism. But where is the need to protect it in a country where 85 per cent of the population is Hindu, where Hindutva has never been destroyed despite years of foreign rule, and where the present rulers are Hindus? One gets the feeling that this is a sinister plot hatched by the Sangh Parivar to achieve their political goal — `Hindu- Rastravad'. For this purpose they enrol poor, illiterate and unemployed rogues.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad, Haryana

* * *

Sir, — The BJP is raising a hue and cry against the arrest of Praveen Togadia . This would not have happened if L.K. Advani had been arrested under a similar Act when he directly or indirectly provoked violence by describing the VHP's Ayodhya movement as a "stroke of genius".

When political debate and leaders' thoughts deviate from the realm of reform and development to building temples, burning churches and Christian missionaries and so on, more such gestures that will induce communal violence will be made by arrogant and cunning leaders like Mr. Togadia.

When the violence, tricks and activities of fanatics capture the headlines everyday, I wonder why we become stooges in the hands of incendiaries who try to take mileage of even the most deplorable incidents like the one that happened in Gujarat.

A small step as this in the right direction will go miles to restore the faith and trust of all to live in peace.

Elsa Lycias Joel,

Madurai, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — Praveen Togadia has been arrested for distributing small trishuls. How about the Delhi Government arresting Amar Singh & Co. for distributing swords? Will the Bihar Government arrest Laloo Prasad Yadav for distributing lathis?

Is it not sedition when the Shahi Imam calls for rebellion in the event of India joining the United States in the fight against Osama bin Laden who swore against India. Has he been charged or petitioned for votes?

Denial of equality, democracy and liberty when it concerns a Hindu cause and those who take it up will only lead to militancy among Hindus.

E. Raveendra,

Hubli, Karnataka

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