A wounded state

THIS refers to L.H. Naqvi’s "A wounded state" and Kahkashan Naqvi’s accompanying piece "Convents don’t convert" (February 21). No right thinking person of any religion or faith would approve of the methods being adopted by to stop the practice of conversions. Whether conversions are voluntary or forced, we have never heard of any Christain missionary resorting to violent tactics to achieve such a goal.

That is why the sympathies of all peace-loving citizens today are with those who are being assaulted rather than with those who have been committing such crimes.

Instead of assaulting Christians, fundamentalists ought to find out the root cause of such conversions and then strive to eliminate them. I know of a large number of Dalit families who voluntarily adopted Christianity as they were looked down upon by other castes. Treated as untouchables by most members of their community, they adopted Christianity so that they could live with dignity and self-respect.

If the Hindu fundamentalists are indeed so keen to stop conversions, one of the steps they should take is to ensure that Dalits get a place of honour in their community.

SURENDRA MIGLANI
Kaithal

Of clipped wings

Rana Nayar’s article "Have wings, won’t fly" (February 14) stressed the need of arresting the regressive down-slides in our society.

Arm-chair philosophers cannot pull the nation out of the quagmire. We simply study books, gain knowledge, write articles, discuss things in seminars, give sermons or preach, but fail to translate our lofty ideals into actual practice.

We must, individually and collectively, start working relentlessly for the removal of all vices which afflict our society. We should make an honest effort to revive time-tested moral values or virtues like selfless, Ahimsa, truth and spirit of service.

Let everyone actually start doing something to open the doors on a "secure, comfortable of a promising future". Let every one question one’s self every day,’ "Have I developed catholic sympathies and a comprehensive outlook? Have I done something for others today?

S.K. SHARMA
Hoshiarpur

Vivekananda

Apropos of K. Kapoor’s article "Missionary activities and Vivekananda" (February 21), much has and is being written in the media, these days, with regard to conversions no body has tried to analysis why most of the conversions to Christianity in India, have been from low caste Hindus viz. Dalits, Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

Low caste Hindus were lured to Christianity, owing to the promise of this religion to free them from caste bondage. However, the demand of Dalit Christians for the grant of benefits of reservation, shows that Christianity has failed to remove the handicaps flowing from the caste system, and to yield the promised deliverance from the caste-oppression.

Was it fair on the part of Christian missionaries, to have lured low caste Hindus to Christianity, on the false promise of delivering them from caste bondage. Why should they now agitate for the inclusion of Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Castes, to be given the constitutional benefit of reservations?

O.P. SHARMA
Faridabad

II

The writer attributes religion related violence to religion being practised in its archaic form. Had religion continued to be practised in its premieval, archaic form, we would certainly not have found ourselves besieged. Religion, if practised in its pure form, does not allow inequities, provincialism, and hatred to creep in. Developing love for all creation and respecting other ways of life has been fundamental to all religions from the very dawn of history. As the present times manifest, all our major religions have been misconstrued. They have lost their original thrust and have witnessed a steady descent through the ages. What we see at work in the streets of our country is not religion, but a contortion of its pure, premieval form. The true faith and true direction got lost somewhere in the past.

If we can purity the ancient faith and restore its archaic form, the plethora of evils that we find ourselves in will automatically ebb away. This is one posture into which it would be very wise to regress.

AMARDEEP GALSIN
Ludhiana

Have courage

Taru Bahl’s article "The courage to take risks" was inspiring. When the reading habit is vanishing due to TV and cable TV such articles are welcome.

UJAGAR SINGH
Chandigarh