Opinion
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Letters to the Editor
Why deny the past?
Sir, - A lot of hue and cry has been raised on the pros and cons of revising history textbooks. It is a matter of concern that our society has become so religio-centric, thanks to our politicians. Every aspect of our life is influenced by various religious shades and sentiments rather than common sense.
Are we to deny our past, no matter how bitter it is? After all, we are what we are today because of our varied history - good and bad. Are we heading towards the creation of a hypocritical generation, blissful in ignorance?
It is time we thought of revamping our myopic educational system, to enable children to open their minds and think critically rather than feed into them what the think-tanks and ``defenders of culture'' perceive as right.
Husna Mohammad,
Vellore, TN
Sir, - One fails to understand what is derogatory about the reference to Brahmins eating beef in history textbooks. Let me quote ``Taittiriya Brahman,'' which says `verily the cow is food' (atho annam via gauh). Yajnavalkya's insistence on eating the tender (`amsala') flesh of the cow is well-known. Even the later Brahminical texts provide evidence of beef eating by Brahmins. Manusmiriti also did not prohibit beef consumption by Brahmins.
Ram Puniyani, Mumbai
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