Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Periyar's statue

This refers to the editorial "Little tolerance, no reason" (Dec. 12). The controversy generated by the installation of a statue for Periyar E.V. Ramasami outside the Ranganathaswamy temple was much ado about nothing. In a democracy, everyone has a right to his or her opinion. The installation is in no way going to deter those who believe in god from continuing to visit the temple.

Thanthai Periyar is a great statesman who fought for the oppressed sections. His views on god and religion, to the exclusion of his several other contributions to society, should not be used as a pretext to argue that his statue should not be installed outside the temple. He took part in the freedom struggle, led the Vaikom satyagraha for the temple entry of Dalits and encouraged social reforms such as widow remarriage. I wholeheartedly say there is nothing wrong in installing his statue at Srirangam.

R. Murali Kumar,
Srirangam

* * *

Whether they are part of action or reaction, acts such as desecrating statues and attacking temples are equally barbaric.

Mindless violence in any form and by any name is condemnable. Violent reactions to provocations only serve the cause of those who provoke.

D.V.G. Sankara Rao,
Vizianagaram

* * *

The mindless violence that follows the desecration of statues deserves to be condemned. The governments should provide security to existing statues and put an end to the practice of installing new ones, at least in places where adequate security cannot be ensured.

Abhishek Mishra,
New Delhi

* * *

What is the need to install and maintain statues of leaders? Can we not follow the message of great leaders such as Periyar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Muthuramalingar instead of just putting up statues for them? The editorial has hit the nail on the head by concluding that damage done to human life and limb cannot be undone.

M. Senthil Kumar,
Erode

* * *

The statue culture being popularised by politicians is taking a vicious turn. Installation of statues on the roadside, vacant lands and prime locations has become common.

The installation is not condemnable; but the denouncement of the leaders' values is. Statues are increasingly becoming a source of conflict.

B.S. Selvakumar,
Vellore

* * *

It has become a passion among followers of different leaders to put up statues for them in every corner. A better way of showing respect would be to follow their ideals rather than putting up statues without caring for them later. Their installation affords scope for desecration by another group, leading to violence. Such incidents continue to take place, lives are lost and property is damaged. Statues should be kept only in museums or the homes of people who want to worship them.

C. Gopal,
Bangalore

* * *

The parties that swear by Periyar's teachings should propagate his vision by circulating his speeches and books. Desecration of statues creates law and order problems for the police.

The Government at the Centre and the States should evolve a consensus on a law banning the installation of statues in public places.

A.R. Karthick,
Bangalore

* * *

Statues have become the focal point for demonstrations and defacement. It is impossible to provide round-the-clock security to them. Miscreants are bound to create disorder by desecrating them. The Government as a national policy should discourage the installation of statues in public places. They can always be put up in party offices, schools, and private buildings.

H.N. Ramakrishna,
Bangalore

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