Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Stinging terms

Sir, — The most objectionable portion of the Tamil Nadu ordinance on conversions are the three ``stinging'' terms — force, allurement or fraud.

The ordinary law of the land should be more than adequate to deal with forced conversions. For a secular Government to be bothered by religion is to encroach upon matters not concerning it.

D. V. D'Monte,

Chennai

Sir, — It is unimaginable that any person, in this day and age, who is committed to a religious belief can be ``forced'' to accept another religion. We have to strain our imagination to conjure a picture of a hapless target of a fierce proselytiser being physically confined, possibly chained, and force-fed his daily dose of new religion through the grill of his cell.

As for allurement, it is an insult to even the poorest that they should happily forsake the faith of their fathers for the sake of some material gains. The ordinance is characterised by a medieval mindset and is a piece of utter folly.

Louis Menezes,

Chennai

Sir, — Can Christians ever become a majority in this country? Or is it possible to root out Christianity from India? The need of the hour is to learn to coexist without suspicion and strife. After all, God is one and He can be worshipped in different ways.

Susikaran Thangasami,

Chennai

Sir, — All citizens are entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion. Exposition of religions tenets and conversion are not opposed to each other. Conversion is a personal inward experience. The anti-conversion law should not come in the way of genuine conversions.

K. Swamidhas,

Chennai

Sir, — It is baffling how politicians forget their responsibilities and instead take up non-issues. Tamil Nadu has its fair share of problems. But, it is an ordinance to stop conversions which gains priority in the Government agenda. Minority-bashing seems to be the order of the day.

Christopher Roy,

Chennai

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