Meat, murder and protest

India needs to do a lot more to secure its secular credentials (“ >Violence as the new normal ,” Editorial, Oct.7). I am pessimistic about that fate of the country, whose plurality we cherish and celebrate at every possible opportunity. Parochial thoughts in the minds of people have made them revengeful, especially in the name of ‘dharma’. A pious animal has been converted into a political beast. The clamour for a beef ban by Hindutva elements is a political move, unrelated to any religion.

Himani Paruthi,

Rudrapur, Uttarakhand

While historicising the unique construct of Indian society, the caste system, Ananya Vajpeyi underscores that the practice of exclusion (based on the principle of purity/pollution) that prevailed in pre-modern society has been reinforced at present by the forces of Hindutva (“

>The reactionary present ,” Oct.6). Indeed, by this politics of bahishkara , Hindutva forces have targeted those who they consider as ‘foreigners’ — Muslims, Christians, Dalits, tribals and the dissenting voices. It is ridiculous to see the state keeping a studied silence on the open call by organisations like the Sanatan Sanstha to kill atheists and rationalists. I think it is time to form more alternate groups and communities based on the now-endangered values of democracy, humanism and secularism to defend our culture.

M.P. Mujeebu Rehman,

Malappuram

If one were to analyse the Purusha Sukta, which Ms. Vajpeyi refers to while talking about the origins of caste, one finds neither a mention of caste nor that of any hierarchy. According to Aurobindo, varna mentioned there meant a ‘symbolic representation’. The Sukta depicts a poetic image of the human society and cosmos. In the representation, the question of superiority or inferiority does not exist nor does that of any hierarchy. If generations have misinterpreted the term varna , it is for us to rectify it. If humans have erred in creating a hierarchy, it is for us to clarify it. But laying these mistakes at the doorsteps of the Vedas is an error by itself.

Ravishankar Thiagarajan,

Bangalore

Love for the cow cannot be justified to develop hatred for mankind (“ >Holy cow, unholy violence ,” Oct.6). Though India is a place where Hindus acknowledge the nature as a God and the cow as a holy animal, degradation of ecosystem and neglect of cows have exposed that such beliefs exist only in name. The mob lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq was aimed at jeopardising the social harmony in India for political gains. It is also unfortunate that common people often get enticed by politicians and lose their ability to think. We pursue Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (‘The world is one family’) but punish others just because they have different eating habits. In the era of globalisation, tolerance is the key to a country’s growth.

Kundan Kishore,

Patna

Nayantara Sahgal has returned her Sahitya Akademi award protesting against the silence of the Prime Minister in the current communally charged atmosphere when the plural ethos of the country are being severely undermined (“ >Nayantara Sahgal protests Dadri lynching, returns Akademi award ,” Oct.7).

Let us not forget that Ms. Sahgal is the niece of Jawaharlal Nehru who, while upholding the republican principles, welcomed criticism of his opponents, defending their right to freely express their views. It was Nehru’s idea to set up the cultural academies, to be devoted to the promotion of arts and culture. These, over the years, have unfortunately become the handmaidens of those in power.

Satish C. Aikant,

Kulri, Mussoorie

A lot has been written on the violent trend that is prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. Tolerance is no more a virtue and giving vent to anger at the slightest excuse seems to be the order of the day. Anything that is not acceptable is met with brutality of a select few who enjoy the blessing of the ruling political czars. Indian democracy is fast approaching a precipitous fall. It is sad that our Prime minister is bold and effective only in poll platforms.

V. Paul Rajaiah,

Arumuganeri