RSS chief under pressure

Sir, - The recent remarks by the RSS chief, Mr. K.S. Sudershan, on the holy books of Christians and Muslims are amusing. It seems he is under intense pressure from the Sangh Parivar to make such utterances. He should first advise his followers to refrain from killing others and destroying property in the name of religion, and teach them to respect other religions and their holy books. This pseudo- nationalist organisation has done a lot of harm to our country. Its role in the pre-planned riots after the demolition of Babri Masjid is well known. The RSS did nothing when Kashmiri Hindus fled their State and when Hindus were attacked in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Unless controlled, the organisation will turn the country into another Afghanistan.

Bruno Lewis,

Thiruvananthapuram

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Sir, - Mr. Sudershan's statement asking Muslims and Christians to reinterpret their scriptures is a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black. This arrogant pontification is not surprising. If anything needs re-interpretation, it is the virulent ideology of the RSS. Mr. Sudershan seems to have conveniently ignored the fact that evils such as the caste system, child marriage and sati find mention in the Hindu scriptures and not in the Koran or the Bible. One wonders if the RSS has ever thought of re-interpreting the teachings of Hinduism.

Mr. Sudershan says that Christian and Muslim history is `soaked in blood' when the past and present of his own organisation is imbrued with the blood of fellow countrymen. Let the saffron brigade divert its time and energy to reform itself and rid Hinduism of evils.

A. Faizur Rahman,

Chennai

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