FACE THE NATION
Font Size 
Clash of Faith: 'Aryan' Ram no God down south
Published on Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 07:33, Updated on Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 11:14 in India section
Tags: Face The Nation, Ram Sethu
Related Stories
Photogallery
 |  |
Ram, a role model?
Can Ram be a modern role model in today’s society when he left is pregnant wife in the forest; he beheaded Sambhuka, who is a lower caste, for daring to recite the Vedas; he killed Ravana’s son Meghnath and Bali by deceit. Why then is he called the Maryada Purushottam?
“Ram has universal appeal,” Ananth Kumar said.
In the DMK’s criticism of Ram, he is referred to as being opposed to women and to lower castes.
“He was never opposed to women or lower castes. And if the DMK is glorifying Ravan who abducted Sita and was the first terrorist of mankind, God save them. They are distorting culture for votebank politics,” Kumar refuted and emphasised, “It is Ram who is epitome of eternal values.”
So when the DMK venerates Ravan and not Ram who is an article of faith for the whole country, aren’t they out of touch with what India thinks?
“Any social movement tries to interpret History. Particularly in Tamil Nadu, we reinterpret history for the upliftment of the downtrodden. But the BJP and other people want to keep the people in darkness,” said Ponmudi.
Congress clarifies
Does is the reaction of the Congress – the hasty withdrawal of the affidavit (claimed that mythological texts cannot be regarded as “historical record” and they don’t prove the existence of characters mentioned in those texts), now divisions within the Congress, the shamefacedness on part of them – surprising. Is the Congress worried about losing out on Hindu sentiments?
“Congress seems to have developed a sense of cold feet,” Rangarajan said.
In the future if the Congress persists in being what is called “soft saffron”, does one see Karunanidhi holding out a threat and saying he will withdraw from the coalition?
“Congress is practicing soft saffron along with talking about the Sachar Committee Report. Karunanidhi’s statement should be taken very seriously because He has said that he is not attacking the Centre, but doesn’t want to give in to pressure of what he calls ‘communal forces’,” Rangarajan said.
He pointed out that the issue is not about Ram Sethu, but about the heart of politics and the identity of two warring parties – the DMK and BJP.
“The 40 seats in TN and Pondicherry are the bedrock on which the UPA government sits in New Delhi,” Rangarajan said wrapping the debate.
SMS poll results: Is Ram Sethu an irrelevant issue down south?
Yes: 21 per cent
No 79 per cent
[ Single Page View ]
| Ads by Google |
| Related Ads: | |
Read Comment | Post Comment
Mr Lohith .. Are you referrring to the intellectual capital of Casteism !
Read Comment
This issue is not created by DMK or ... It is created by BJP for political purpose. First you people
Read Comment
It is very sad to see that the so called upper caste high knowledge group in india is still tring
Read Comment
What stupid rationalism is DMK talking abt. Providing reservation to muslims? or sending all teh Brahmins out of the state?
Read Comment
i am totally convinced if MK says that his comment about Ram was a personal thought, and didnt transalte into
Read Comment
Read more comment »