Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Healing touch needed

Sir, — The terrorist attack on the Akshardham temple of the Swaminarayan sect in Gandhinagar deserves the severest of condemnation. Such insane actions are adding salt to the injuries of the Gujarati community. One must remember that these terrorists do not represent any community. Most of the Muslim leadership has severely condemned this crime. It is not the time to give bandh calls. Here one recalls the tragic incidents of Mumbai when riots were followed by the bomb blasts, which further aggravated the agony of the community.

What Gujarat needs is the healing touch, which is not possible as long as the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, continues to spew venom against the minorities through his speeches during the `gaurav yatra'. Such actions of his are intimidating the weaker sections of society. Elements from amongst the threatened community are likely to resort to insane actions more often.

Ram Puniyani,
Mumbai

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Sir, — It seems that the Godhra killings and the Gujarat carnage have had very little impact on the Muslim militants. They seem to be exploring innovative methods and different fields in their lust for blood. Their entry into the Swaminarayan temple in Gandhinagar and killing innocent men, women and children expose their brutal culture and poisoned mind. I have visited the temple. It has revolutionised concepts and approaches to reaching God. Members of the Anoopam Mission which is in charge of these temples are peace-loving well-wishers of Muslims and helped us a lot when we built a temple and a mosque in two villages of Gujarat after the earthquake.

What impact the temple killings will have on the Hindus? The Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi's provocative speeches during the `gaurav yatra' should not provoke militants. Modi has been taken to task by his own party. Let Muslims look to their own interest by associating with the Hindus who are their real well-wishers.

Mumtaz Ali Khan,
Bangalore

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