No licence to defame

Sir, - Apropos of the letter by Mr. V.A.K. Ramaschandran (The Hindu, Feb. 5), it is true that widows in the Hindu society were treated as inauspicious and subjected to a different dress code. However, it has since been abolished and I wish to know from him whether he sees any more of the practice today. The Hindu society has willingly accepted remarriage of widows and their self- reliance in a big way. Matrimonial advertisements are evidence of the change.

The question, however, is the intention of Ms. Deepa Mehta in portraying that widows at Varanasi are turning to prostitution, as if it is a widespread practice or that it has religious sanction. The Hindu society has abolished sati, child marriage, widow separation, etc; maybe not altogether, but the intentions and pursuant actions are there for all to see. Have the others abolished purdha, child marriage, polygamy, triple talaq, non- payment of maintenance on divorce, denial of modern education, etc.? Will Ms. Mehta show her socially hyperactive conscience to picturise them for a change? Her earlier film, in which she named two lesbians Sita and Radha, proves that she wants to commercialise on defaming the Hindu society. Freedom of expression does not include this tendency as a right.

S. Thiagarajan,

Chennai

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