Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Nowhere to go

The news of Uthapuram’s wall of shame and the report on the plight of over 100 members of 19 Dalit families who are spending their days in makeshift camps in Gujarat following a quarrel with some caste Hindus of their village (“These Dalits have nowhere to go,” April 19) make me wonder whether there is a source other than The Hindu that can expose such blatant atrocities on a sizeable section across the country. The newspaper, it is hoped, will continue to expose the hollow claims by our political, social and religious leaders of achieving an egalitarian society. They are nowhere to be seen in places where they should stand in support of the hapless. Issues such as reservation in educational institutions, Legislative Assemblies, and Parliament have taken undeserved precedence over issues such as the people’s right to live without fear in their own land of birth.

R. Vaidyanathan,

Chennai

The report on Bukna’s Dalits is heartrending. It is difficult to eradicate caste discrimination by implementing laws when a religion allows caste divisions. Until Hindu religious leaders speak out openly against the caste system, we cannot end casteism.

Akifuddin,

Bangalore

It is shameful that in a country which has progressed in all fields, social evils like casteism continue to exist. Gujarat is considered a developed State. Many States want to achieve the same level of progress as Gujarat.

Caste-based discrimination in the very State to which the Mahatma, who condemned untouchability, belonged reminds us of nothing but the adage diya tale andhera (darkness beneath the lamp).

Amit Renu,

Deoghar

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu