Tragedy of blind faith

Sir, - The Erwadi incident has proved once again the helplessness of the people and the Government's apathy. Mostly, blind faith is the result of ignorance and poverty.

The poor are compelled to believe in `supernatural powers' in the absence of free or inexpensive mental hospitals.

The Tamil Nadu Labour Minister's assurance that the Government would take steps to modernise and streamline all the mental asylums in and around Erwadi is most welcome.

At the same time, efforts must be made to wean people away from `spiritual healing'. In fact, Islam does not approve of such beliefs.

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman,

Ambur, T.N.

Sir, - The shrines of some religious preachers are used for worship as well as to dump the mentally-disabled. Often this has been brought to the notice of officials but there has been no response.

It is against the principles of Islam to consider that `dargahs' are meant for worship. And shrines cannot be hospitals or asylums. In some of these places I have seen patients chained, which is inhuman. Can't the Government or NGOs take over these poor victims?

Mohamed Farook,

Tiruchi

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