Letters to the Editor — October 2, 2018

It seems futile to fit Gandhiji’s personality into metaphorical slots (OpEd page, “Gandhi: a fox or a hedgehog?” October 1) . His beliefs, convictions and ideas spanned both the proximate and the universal. His ‘hedge-hoggy’ grounding in morality was a compass that directed and determined the scope of his thoughts and actions and was informed by a fox-like understanding and appreciation of life’s realities and contemporary values. He was one of the few leaders in history who saw no contradiction between the spiritual and the temporal. For him, using the right means to achieve the right ends was a non-negotiable principle. We can only look at him with awe and wonder mirroring what Albert Einstein said: “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”

Thiruvananthapuram

Predictably, the Supreme Court verdict on the Sabarimala case has evoked mixed reactions. It is a fact that a vast majority of women in Kerala who are devotees of Ayyappa will not be inclined to defy the age-old custom, and moreover, would have already endorsed/concurred with the dissenting voice of Justice Indu Malhotra. Implementation of the Supreme Court’s verdict will be too onerous a task. Venturing into its implementation may lead to heated arguments and counter-arguments, resulting in bitter social strife and tension. One is sure that devotees who ardently believe in the age-old customs and traditions of the temple will be pinning their hopes on an inevitable review petition.

Kothamangalam, Kerala

While I respect the verdict, I express my deep disappointment that the decision has been taken without considering all relevant aspects. I agree with the lone dissenting judge and am of the opinion that the judiciary perhaps does not have the authority to overrule an age-old spiritual practice. There are bound to be petitions filed challenging different practices in different temples. One waits to see how the judiciary will direct normal and traditional functions. I am aware that there are a few temples where men are not allowed. What happens there now?

Coimbatore

Age-old practices need to be continued with due respect to religious and cultural aspects. Issues such as security, the terrain and environment and facilities are of importance in a pilgrimage. No woman who understands these pressures will create fresh problems for herself and other pilgrims.

Chennai

If and when the judiciary ‘assumes the authority to decide the essentiality of religious practices’, one should expect a host of litigations on almost all practices in various temples. Whether the court is prepared for the eventuality and whether it can do justice is anybody’s guess.

A visit to Sabarimala is not like a visit to many other temples, Guruvayur for example. One makes a ‘pilgrimage’ to Sabarimala. There are certain strong beliefs on why it should be undertaken and how. Participants follow strict lifestyle, which include not only celibacy, but also food habits, physical and mental cleanliness, and behaviour , all believed to be as advised by Ayyappa himself. The genuine reason for restrictions on women, though now interpreted as discrimination, is evident. On the whole, the petitions and the judgment are attempts to achieve something difficult to find.

Pandalam, Kerala

The report on families from the Mehtar community in Rajasthan village still being forced to undertake manual scavenging is shocking (Page 1, ‘Sunday Special’, “Four years after Swachh: cleaning excreta for roti, September 30). It is preposterous that officials are under pressure to misrepresent facts on the ground in order to suit the government’s propaganda. Both the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights as well as the SC/ST commissions should conduct independent inquiries into the additional finding of discrimination faced by children from this community in school.

New Delhi

Team India’s recent triumph in the Asia Cup was far from satisfactory, given the supremacy of the side, as the Men in Blue were stretched till the final delivery of the match by a resurgent Bangladesh (Editorial, “Cup of surprises”, October 1). With the next ODI World Cup less than a year away, India is yet to solve its middle order blues, which is vital if India is to win the cup again. Given the crushing defeat that India suffered against England in the last Test series, our batsmen will be tested yet again in the friendly English seam bowling conditions.

Chennai