Opinion Is nothing sacred?

Its editorial claims that there is no demand from Hindus to burn or ban the book,and there should be no attempt to take liberties with Hindu sentiments. “One never knows when the fine line of tolerance would break and an Islamist streak triggers in the Hindu mind. Don’t force him to do that,” says the editorial.

The 1987 essay draws attention to the number of versions of the Ramayana in different languages and regions,and its various interpretations. The matter first came to light in 2008 when ABVP cadres protested its introduction and stormed the history department of DU.

The Sangh Parivar then took the matter to court,following which the university’s Supreme Court asked its Academic Council (AC) to take a decision on the issue. On October 9,it was announced that the essay was to be withdrawn from the undergraduate syllabus.

While Sangh Parivar sympathisers in the academic world had welcomed the removal,those on the other side,especially Left-leaning scholars,have continued to attack the politically motivated decision that threatens academic freedom. The Sangh Parivar now fears that this clamour could lead to the essay being restored in the syllabus.

“The issue is fast moving beyond the limits of academic decency into the arena of communal politics. Led by the rusted and outdated communists and supported by the gang of tired old anti-Hindu activists,it is now becoming blasphemous,” the Organiser thunders.

It says that the “so-called rights activists” had nothing to say on the unofficial ban in the country on Red Saree,a fictionalised biography of Sonia Gandhi,or on the ban on screening The Da Vinci Code in cinema halls because it offended Christian sentiments. They also remained silent when a ban was imposed on Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses,it says. “But when it comes to offending Hindu sentiments,their generosity knows no bounds. India is a country of rich folk stories,myths and traditions. There are several versions to a story as they are passed on from generation to generation,orally. But among all these,the major works on Ramayana have stuck to a single story line,” the Organiser contends.

“More importantly,Rama is worshipped by all believing Hindus. For us,he is God,the embodiment of righteousness and a role model. Hence it hurts the sentiments of Hindus when Rama is spoken of with anything but reverence. To introduce,as part of curriculum,any writing that speaks of Rama and Sita in a demeaning insinuation should be abhorred,” it says.

The Organiser argues that the essay continues to be available in public domain without any ban,and anyone who wants to read or do research on it can do so. “Why make this lesson official?” it asks.

Congress character

The Panchajanya,in its editorial,puts the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan in the dock over the Bhanwari Devi episode,alleging that the incident has exposed the Congress character,which is not only corrupt and power-hungry but also depraved. It has also attacked Rahul Gandhi for his controversial comments in a rally in Phulpur where he asked the people how long they would continue to beg in Maharashtra. By describing them as beggars,Rahul has hurt the sentiments of the hardworking people of Uttar Pradesh,says Panchajanya.