Maharashtra is a State that has given this country renowned social reformers who have devoted their entire lives not only to fight prejudices and eradicate discriminatory attitudes but also to uplift the downtrodden. But the incident (“ >Dalit youth killed for Ambedkar song ringtone ”, May 22), makes it clear that we have not yet accepted the progressive and rational thoughts promoted by them. We need to introspect over the level of intolerance we are nurturing. It is unconvincing to believe that it was a mere ringtone that provoked the heinous crime. Finally, police apathy towards victims of caste discrimination is even more dangerous.
Yogeshwar N. Tompe,
Nanded, Maharashtra
The murder of Sagar Shejwal, for playing a ringtone with words exhorting all to resist oppression and be as courageous as Bhimrao Ambedkar is an ominous event. As a leader, Ambedkar has represented the exertions and the aspirations of millions of Indians to do away forever with the distorted, casteist view of human capacities and qualities that have shackled us for centuries. That this outrageous murder should happen in Shirdi, and that the police did not immediately go after the eight attackers who belong to a “higher” caste say a lot for the way religion and the state actually function in India. Who is to bell the cat of casteism?
Vasantha Surya,
New Delhi
