Public opinion drowned in protests

Sir, - Your Editorial, `Water dispute' (Feb. 1) is timely. Whether it is over Cauvery waters or Ms. Deepa Mehta's film, the dispute has political connotations. While the heat over Firehas cooled down, the flood of protests over Waterseems to submerge the feelings of the general public who believe that the theme of the film has some positive aspects also.

Though the problems of young widows in Indian society are raised ostentatiously by our politicians in their platform speeches, nothing practical is done for providing them a secure living. It is time the sufferings of unfortunate sections of Indian society were brought out in our films so that government officials could see the reality.

What is profane or vulgar is to be decided by the general viewers and not by a few fundamentalist groups who take the law into their own hands. When a theme really wounds the feelings of a religious community, the Government may intervene banning the film either at the shooting stage or later.

But any curb, without feeling the pulse of the public, would only whet the appetite of vested interests or fundamentalists who masquerade as protectors of the Hindu tradition.

S. Janakiraman,

Gandhigram (T.N.)

Sir, - The BJP reaction (``People have a right to protest if they think their culture is being denigrated or their sentiments are being hurt'') falls into a pattern. The front organisations of the RSS will indulge in violence and the BJP will present the ideological side in a calm manner, as if it is totally unconnected with these bodies. Who would have raised objections had they staged a peaceful demonstration against the making of the film, Water?Their method proclaims: ``We alone can decide which is Indian culture and which is not''. Their question, ``if 100 years ago some widows in Varanasi were exploited by priests in the temples, why should we make a film on it now'', is amusing. They didn't ask a similar question before the Babri Masjid was demolished!

Ms. Deepa Mehta claims that the script was cleared by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. But Mr. K. R. Malkani in his letter (Feb. 3) tries to give a religious twist to the making of the film. Even if, as he says, attempts are made to portray an evil practice of only Hindus, what is wrong in doing so? The Hindus have abundant faith in turning inward and reforming themselves. Has this not helped them move with the times?

K. Raju,

Virudhunagar (T.N.)

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