M A I L B A G

Ram Sethu: an avoidable controversy

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan aptly said, “A millennium is a period of time in which our heads become soft and pillows hard”. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has concluded without sufficient proof that the Ram Sethu under reference has arisen over millennia through natural processes. Millions in India and South Asia believe again without proof that Lord Ram built it.

The ASI could have just stated in its opinion that the structure did not appear to be man-made without raising the issue of the historicity or otherwise of Ram because there is a possibility that Ram used an already existing structure by mending it here and there. What is the truth? Ram knows better! The structure has now been in disuse for the last many centuries. So, I believe, we should unhesitatingly agree to its demolition in the interest of faster transport.

Dr L.R. SHARMA, Solan

II

The dishonesty of the secularists in the UPA government and their so-called experts can be gauged by their reluctance to inquire into the veracity of the Saraswati river even though its course has been shown in the satellite images obtained by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO. They even tried to stop the work on Dwaraka which was undertaken during the NDA government.

It is the duty of the Centre and the ASI to subject all religions to rigorous test as they have subjected to Hinduism. Secondly, let there be excavations of the sites for necessary evidence. Experts from all sections, historians and archaeologists should be associated with these. The Centre, which has started this debate, must face the music now.

RAJINDER KUMAR GUPTA, Advocate, Chandigarh

III

The Ram Sethu is not a man-made structure. It obviously is God-made! And Ram, as is faithfully believed by most of us, is the personification of God. Then why raise a controversy? Apparently, the controversy is being concocted by our power-hungry politicians who want to divert public attention from their failures in many fronts.  For an utterly bad economic management, where a higher growth rate is aimed only at the likes of Virks and Badals, and a muddled law and order situation, the politicians of the day are largely responsible.
Properly guided, even the genuine Ram-bhakts would not come in the way of paving way through the Ram Sethu so that the country’s economic interests, which even Maryada Purshottam Ram would not have overlooked in the wider interests of his praja, are taken care of.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

IV

In a dramatic style, the Centre retracted its affidavit in the Supreme Court in the Sethu Samudram case challenging the historical existence of Lord Ram. It seems it has become a habit for our political leaders to change colours like a chameleon. First, they hurt the feelings of the people and then take no time in posing themselves to be innocent and blaming others for all the mess.

How did the Centre take a stand on the issue without proper homework? When the Congress leaders have no faith in themselves, what can the countrymen expect from them?

VIKRAMJIT GARG, Advocate, Bathinda

V

The Sangh Parivar has not learnt the lesson even 15 years after the Babri Masjid demolition. The Ram Sethu campaign is nothing but the BJP’s style of playing politics to return to power. The Sangh Parivar does not realise that the act of stalling the entire monsoon session of Parliament has gone against the members who care two hoots about the miseries of the poor and downtrodden.

Ram is within the hearts of all common people irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Of course, religion is a matter of faith based on one’s noble deeds, clean heart and righteousness where as politics is a bundle of follies and falsehood.

SUNDER SINGH GIANI, Dialpura (Mohali)

VI

The Centre’s affidavit about Lord Ram and the Ramayan epic is deplorable because both are not myths as argued by the ASI. The Ramayan and Lord Rama are as real as India itself. The Ramakatha has been transmitted to generations from time immemorial.

The political parties have been trying to undermine our religion and culture by creating such doubts among the people. There is description of Ram in every religious book based on the Indian civilisation and culture. Such nefarious attempts against our religion and culture should be thwarted.

AMAR JIT SINGH GORAYA, Griffith NSW (Australia)

A strong voice of the people The Tribune’s Haryana edition is not only a tribute to the progressive and modern state of Haryana but also to the vision of the paper’s founder Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia. I have grown with The Tribune since my days in Chandigarh’s DAV College (1971-73). The first thing I would see was the Edit Page. If my letter was published, the day was made. If not, I would try my luck the next day. The Tribune became a media for me to express myself and build up my own ideas and convictions. I love The Tribune for various reasons. First, it has supported the cause of voluntary blood donation. Second, it is bold and independent. It has been highlighting criminalisation of politics and corruption in public life in its editorials. It has also actively supported the Indo-Pak peace process. Third, it is reader-friendly. I love Sunday Spectrum too. I have been regularly participating in the caption contest for the last 35 years. The Tribune will continue to be my mental diet wherever I am posted. I used to get it by post during my stint at Wellington Staff College in 1998. On this important landmark, I thank The Tribune for being a symbol of free and credible media and a strong voice of the people. Col R.D. SINGH, Commandant, 213 Transit Camp, Jammu (J&K)

Follow Haryana

I frequently visit Haridwar. The position explained by Anupama is a real story of Har-ki-Pouri (Aug 20). The ladies’ ghat requires immediate attention of the administration. For example, such was the condition of Shri Mata Mansa Devi Mandir at Panchkula before the Haryana government took over it on a 1991.

Now the Mansa Mandir is an important religious tourist spot. The Uttrankand government should also take over the management of this holy place at Har-ki-pouri.

S. S. GOEL, Panchkula