The report about some members of the Bengali Muslim community at Ved Nagar in Agra being caught in the crossfire of alleged attempts at conversion (Dec.11) is proof that fringe elements are working to destroy peace and harmony among different communities. With offers of below poverty line ration cards and financial support revealed, is not the right wing’s act of hypocrisy getting exposed? Moves to meet the promise of acche din appear to going at a snail’s pace, while the promise of a “Hindu Rashtra” appears to be moving at rocket-like speed.
Ibrahim S.M.A.,
Madurai
The controversy over “national scripture” status for the Bhagavad Gita has hardly died down, and we now have this. There appears to be some tacit understanding between the government and the right wing that could prove detrimental to the government’s running. The Prime Minister needs to intervene and come out with the message that all faiths are equal in India.
Shiv Sethi,
Ferozepur
“Conversions” and “incentives” are inseparable. Hinduism is more a way of life than a religion, and therefore there is no room for conversion in it. Of late, efforts at reconversions are made due to political and social factors. It is pointless to try to convert those who have been converted a generation ago; being poor, they may succumb to the pressure of “incentives”, but will never integrate into the religion. What a disgrace it is to administrators who have failed to ameliorate their conditions! There are numerous instances where certain poor families in “advanced” communities became converts but after education and achieving a certain status in life reconverted themselves.
S. Rajagopalan,
Chennai
The BJP’s victory in the general election came as a refreshing change after a decade of despondency. Before the world, Prime Minister Modi has been able to create a very good impression. The steep drop in world crude prices has come as a boon in controlling inflation. This is the time when the government should go full steam in taking up a growth agenda. At this juncture, the actions of the right wing in introducing spokes in the wheel of governance are unfortunate. Before people start getting more disillusioned, the government needs to put its foot down and curb right-wing actions. Let people of all communities live in peace.
Hari Haran,
Chennai
I wonder how leaders of secular political parties can protest against “conversion” (“Conversion comes in for criticism in Rajya Sabha,” Dec. 11). When large numbers of Hindus were converted to other religions, the leaders of these political parties remained silent. In a secular democratic nation, everybody has the right to choose his/her religion. Nobody can protest.
Soumya Narayan,
Bengaluru
The Badaun case was made to look like an atrocity against Dalits, while the CBI report says it was a case of suicide. Cases are not always what they are made to appear. In the Agra “conversion case”, sensitivity is much higher, considering the religion involved and political weight it adds to the Opposition’s claims of right-wing hyperactivity. It is important not to jump to conclusions based on preconceived notions.
Sweety Gupta,
New Delhi
