Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On 9/11

I must thank The Hindu and P. Sainath for the illuminating article "Three 9/11s — choose your own" (Sept. 11). It should be impressed upon the violent schools of thought that non-violence is far superior and more effective in realising the goals of a community or nation. There is a widespread belief about satyagraha that it cannot be used against our own government. Satyagraha is something to be practised everyday and used against injustice anywhere, anytime. It is relevant even today.

S. Kasimayan,
New Delhi

But for the article, not many would have known that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the launch of satyagraha by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. The Congress, which created such a controversy over a non-existent centenary of Vande Mataram, and the BJP which left no stone unturned to utilise the political opportunity, are both unfit to stake the claim for patriotism. Both failed to celebrate the occasion that revolutionised the entire world without shedding a drop of blood.

S. Sathiyamoorthy,
Nagpur

Terrorism has no boundaries. We cannot, therefore, eliminate it by satyagraha. Terrorists have an objective and believe in achieving it by striking terror. Even religion is secondary in their scheme of things. We have to evolve a world order that is free from bias, neglect and hatred for terrorism to end.

T.K. Hariharan,
Mysore

September 11 was also the day Swami Vivekananda made his famous address to the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. He said: "Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now ... I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism." His words are more relevant today than ever before.

David Hogg,
Kodaikanal, T.N.

Vivekananda's endearing address which began with "sisters and brothers of America" and his short speech on the Indian culture of assimilating, accepting and embracing every faith captivated the audience. Surely, Gandhiji must have drawn inspiration from our culture and the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Gandhiji elevated tolerance to a higher plane to enforce justice and truth.

Capt. Alexander Francis,
Kochi, Kerala

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