Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Exercise restraint

Celebrities should be more circumspect in their pronouncements. Had actor Kushboo spoken of pre-marital sex as a contributory factor in the spread of AIDS, and advocated sex within marriage, she would not have landed herself in trouble. By saying AIDS in pre-marital sex can be avoided by practising safe sex, she stirred a hornets' nest. Kushboo's remarks may not contribute to increased incidence of pre-marital sex as some have tried to argue.

But it is also wrong to say that different yardsticks are being applied for men and women because for every man indulging in pre-marital sex, there is a woman giving him company.

T.T. Krishnan,
Chennai

In spoken or written discussions, we err on excess and fly at tangents. It is one thing to say that things are amiss and entirely another to say it is all right if they are amiss. Antagonists of Kushboo are riding in all directions instead of zeroing in on this central truth. Why they wink at similar observations by others is another overlooked point.

N. Dharmeshwaran,
Bangalore

The broom-brandishing demonstrators who took to the streets to protest actor Kushboo's comments on pre-marital sex and actor Suhasini's support for her obviously did not think much of film stars. But the fact that those who are offended by a few remarks turn a blind eye to films based on live-in relationships and similar themes is surprising. Perhaps, there will be protests if the films are directed by women.

D. Dhivya Pon Poorani,
Coimbatore

This refers to the letter that decries the different yardsticks applied to men and women in matters of pre-marital sex (Nov. 29). Please do not tell me that pre-marital sex among men has the sanction of Tamil culture.

S. Varadarajan,
Pallathur, T.N.

The talk of reviving the anti-Brahmin movement by DMK leader M. Karunanidhi is unfortunate. He has tried to connect two issues that have nothing in common.

S. Balasubramanian,
Bangalore

Mr. Karunanidhi's allegation that communal forces are trying to exploit his comments on his ostensibly off-the-cuff remark on the Kushboo issue will only accentuate the so-called Brahmin-non-Brahmin divide in Tamil Nadu. By suggesting that all those who quote Periyar's views on women's chastity should also accept his other views, Mr. Karunanidhi has sought to shut out criticism against his own remarks, which he now claims he made in jest. It is unfortunate that one of the senior most politicians of post-Independent India should resort to comments offending a particular community, most members of which do not flaunt their caste tag.

Chunder Rajagopal,
Chennai

The conflict in the issue is between freedom of expression and its denial. It is not known how caste and community factor into it. After making a comment and dismissing it, by which time the damage is already done, blaming the media and communal forces has become very common. Not only actors but seasoned politicians too should exercise restraint while commenting on sensitive issues.

G. Ramachandran,
Kuzhithurai, T.N.

The DMK chief's remarks come as no surprise because elections to the State Assembly are round the corner. As Boswell said: "There is no arguing with Johnson ... for when his pistol misses fire, he knocks you down with the butt end of it." People would do well to ignore Mr. Karunanidhi's comments.

K.S. Narasimhan,
Chennai

All political parties in Tamil Nadu regard Periyar who openly called upon Tamil women to free themselves from the tyranny of one-sided chastity as an undisputed leader. Why then subject Kushboo to such humiliating forms of protest for her remarks on safe sex?

Nirmala Asokan,
Chennai

The issue has once again brought gender bias to the fore. While the opinion of men celebrities goes unnoticed and undisputed, that of Sania Mirza, Kushboo, and Suhasini raises a storm. As for the DMK, it is fishing in troubled waters by adding a caste component to the issue. The conspicuous exploitation of the controversy by vested interests should be exposed and their actions condemned.

M.S.R.A. Srihari,
Khammam, A.P.

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