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Nothing ethnic

Sir, — Reference Gail Omvedt's article "Hindutva and ethnicity" (Feb. 25): While Ms. Omvedt rightly says that one cannot get converted to Hinduism as one can to Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism or Islam, it is not because one is a Hindu by birth, but because Hinduism is not a religion per se but a faith. Thus, one should have belief in this faith which is multifaceted with followers of Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhva propagating the religion through different forms of Gods such as Shiva and Vishnu. Other religions speak of one God. However, all religions require certain rituals to be performed. Thus, there is an element of coercion, which may be due to the apprehension that without it people may desert the religion.

Hinduism does not force anybody to go to the temple on a regular basis or pray at particular times and on particular days. Thus, Ms. Omvedt's theory that ethnicity, in the form of blood and territory, determines Hinduism is not logical as Hinduism is not a religion but a faith. And anybody following that faith is a Hindu and need not necessarily be born as one.

G.M. Rama Rao,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.

Sir, — If non-Hindus are not allowed inside Hindu temples, it is for a very practical reason. In order to ensure that those who enter the temples observe its customs, discipline and rituals, only Hindus are allowed entry. This "exclusivity" is not due to any social prejudices. If the temple authorities decided that Ms. Omvedt's Chinese friend was a non-Hindu and denied her entry into the temple, it was because they knew that the probability of a Chinese being a Hindu was negligible. Where does racism come into this?

K. Vijayakumar,
Bangalore

Sir, — Various factions have interpreted the term "Hindutva" in a manner that suits them best. And the word has acquired such a religious-sectarian dimension that one simply cannot identify with it unless one is born a Hindu. It is a fact that the so-called defenders of the "Hindu rashtra" are out to destroy the patriotism of citizens of alternative faiths and then brand them as anti-nationals. It is here that Ms. Omvedt's article comes as an eye-opener. Her views, akin to Ambedkar's, of communities based on universalistic religions in India would be the ideal solution to our multi-sectarian woes. But unless there is a major change in the existing geo-political mindset, this could merely remain a pipe dream.

Husna Mohammad,
Vellore, T.N.

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• Let the wagons roll
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