The self-righteousness and snobbery of successive American governments and their presumed right to pontificate about the religious freedom in foreign societies remain unchanged (Page 1, “MEA rejects U.S. report on state of religious freedom in India”, June 24). That the Indian government’s critics have latched on to the U.S. State Department’s misconceived indictment of India regarding denial of religious freedom to the minorities with a sense of schadenfreude reflects the nation’s divisive political culture where passions tend to overwhelm reason and fairness.
Media narratives shape foreign perceptions about Indian society and politics. When sections of the media blur the line between objective reporting and sensationalism, the foreign media and governments pick up the noise instead of the right signals.
V.N. Mukundarajan,
Thiruvananthapuram
The U.S. State Department has exceeded its limits and the MEA’s reaction is in line with what a self-respecting nation is expected to do. But for stray incidents by fringe elements, the minorities live in peace and harmony. In a globalised world, India is well aware that it cannot alienate any religion. The U.S. report appears to be based on biased reports and political speeches rather than an in-depth study. The U.S. should also realise that India is in a volatile neighbourhood.
V. Subramanian,
Chennai
The MEA’s rejection of the report is no surprise as any kind of criticism from within or outside has always been anathema for the present government. Religious freedom or the lack of it has always been a contentious issue and the views of the government and spokespersons of the minority communities have been diametrically opposite. A more recent example would be the oath-taking ceremony in the 17th Lok Sabha, where frenzied cries of a religious nature were heard from the treasury benches; majoritarianism continues to flourish under the benign gaze of the powers that be.
C.V. Aravind,
Bengaluru
There is religious freedom in India, guaranteed under Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution of India, but it exists only on paper. Fear is thrust upon the minds of the minorities using selective and periodical harassment, targeting and lynching them based on rumours or falsely blaming them. The government should have taken stern action against the perpetrators of the crimes. Instances of lynching, though isolated, underscore that the minorities, especially Muslims, are not secure. Whether it likes it or not, the Central government must know that India is being closely watched by the rest of the world.
M.Y. Shariff,
Chennai
