Apologies, Shah Rukh

8226; We are deeply disturbed by the incidents that led to and took place during...

8226; We are deeply disturbed by the incidents that led to and took place during the musical show by Shah Rukh Khan and his group at Colombo on December 11, in the name of the Most Venerable Soma Thera. Every Sri Lankan citizen has a fundamental right to freedom of speech, expression and assembly on matters connected with his religion or culture. However it is most important that everyone realises that such freedom be exercised with utmost concern for public order and respect for the rights and freedoms of others. We are therefore of the view that those who opposed this show have exceeded reasonably acceptable limits for expressing such opposition, and due to a lack of due foresight created an environment for a group of criminals to step in and disrupt the show by acts of violence which every citizen in this country must condemn unreservedly. The anti-Buddhist lobby has been given a golden opportunity to bring disrepute to Buddhists. Ven. Soma Thera, who fought relentlessly to protect Buddhism and to re-establish a righteous society in Sri Lanka, would never have condoned the extreme degree to which these protests were carried. We extend our apologies to Shah Rukh Khan and his group and deeply sympathise with the families of the two innocent victims who lost their lives in the bomb attack.

8212; Padmini Siva Colombo

Time to think

8226; The turmoil that has followed the arrest of the revered Seer of Kanchi should set us thinking IE, Dec 17. While the exact truth could be only become known after the trials are over, the reasons as to why the ancient math had become vulnerable to such charges is to be introspected upon by all right thinking Hindus. With the Saffron Robe marking closeness to the Divinity and with the flocking of people to seek blessings it has become a power centre. There is therefore a crying need to monitor the conduct of the math to ensure that the purity expected of it is ensured.

8212; S. Hari Haran Chennai

8226; The Supreme Court had fixed January 6 as the next date for hearing Jayendra Saraswati8217;s bail plea. Instead of approaching the man-made Supreme Court, the pontiff should have moved the Supreme Power. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagvad Gita: 8220;Leave everything and surrender to me, I will absolve you of all sins and lead you to salvation.8221;

8212; K.P. Rajan Mumbai

Remembering MS

8226; I read8216;That voice of silk and flame8217; by Saeed Naqvi IE, Dec 17 and it brought back memories of a MS concert that I had attended as a teenager in Dehra Dun. The songs that were to be sung were not among my favourites. Though disappointed, I did go to the concert. MS started her rendition on time and as the hours went by, I was thrilled to hear all my favourites being sung, one after another, as she sang for over three hours! In the end, MS said, that seeing the audience included some Sikhs in the front row who were enjoying her songs had made her forget the time. Not a single person had left the packed hall. Such was MS. May her soul rest in peace!

8212; Poornima Kumar Vashi

Tailpiece

8226; If N.K. Singh8217;s feedback 8216;Bihar will test Indian democracy8217;, IE, Dec 17 is accepted, then it will be clear that no free and fair elections can be conducted in Bihar. May God save Bihar!

8212; Shashi Bhandari Chandigarh