Mailbag

Freedom struggle and Indian Christians

Sir,

In articulating''......which symbolises the history of a freedom struggle that was jointly undertaken by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs'' Dr Jitendra Singh has hinted clearly that the Christian Community of India has taken no part in the freedom struggle (Tales of Travesty-Politics of "Saraswati Vandna''-DE November 29). This is far from being based on truth.

The Christian Community is the third largest minority community in India. Indian Christians have lot of participation in national movement. During 1885, a number of educated Indian Christian men and women like Kali Charan Banerji, Madhu Sudan Dass Orissa, C.G. Nath of Lahore, Paul Pillai of Madras, and Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur of Punjab actively participated in Congress Sessions. It should also be borne on mind that as Dr. Ambedkar is related to Indian Constitution, A.O. Hume is related to Indian National Congress. He founded the Indian National Congress, organised the Indian people of all hues and colours and devoted his life for the cause of the Indian Independence. A well known Indian Christian, Upadhaya Brahmabandev from Bengal, founded a daily paper "Sandhya'' which turned revolutionary and fanned the agitation against the partition of Bengal. Yusuf Maharally was a founder member and General Secretary of the Congress Socialist Party. He was the one who actively participated in the non-cooperation movement launched by the Father of Nation and also led anti-Simon Commission demonstration in Bombay.

Joseph Bapista of Bombay was among the first to openly challenge the repressive measures of the British Imperial policy and he also played a remarkable role in Home Rule Movement with Lok Manya Balganghadhar Tilak in 1894... L.B. Swami, Kannu Pillai also participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and Satyagrah K.T. Paul and S.K. Dutta contributed a lot to the nationalist movement in urging the Indian Christians to throw in their lot with other communities in India. Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, the well known Christian lady, belonged to the princely State of Kapurthala in Punjab. She served as Secretary to Mahatma Gandhi for 16 years. During the Salt Campaign she was arrested in Bombay for violating the Salt Law. When the Communal Award was announced, she condemned it outright. When she went to the North-West Frontier Provinces to advocate the cause of Freedom Struggle, she was arrested and convicted on a charge and sedition. During the Quit India Movement, she organised many processions, one such procession led by her was lathi-charged at Shimla while she herself was arrested at Kalka. There are Indian and foreign women whose names figure predominantly in Indian Freedom Struggle and upliftment of the Indian Society. They are Dr. Annie Besant, Margaret Elezabeth, Madam Cama, Annie Mascrene and Violet Alva and many others. Under the influence of Gandhi Ji they happily underwent all types of sufferings and repressive measures.

Indian Christians played a significant role in the national integration. The Christians were forthright in rejecting communal attitudes, separate electorates the formation of a separate political party etc and upheld the unity of the country which would protect the legitimate rights of all its citizens. They put complete trust in the common destiny of India and pledged to work for national integration, and this is acknowledged as their distinctive contribution to the framing of the constitution.

It is, therefore, not just to say that only three communities of India were involved in the Freedom Struggle. The Contribution of Christian Community to Education and Health Care has been universally acknowledged as vital factors in the development of human personality and also two pillars of the democracy and the success of democracy is based on education and health. In Indian there are many Christian institutions in every nook and corner of the country which work in the national spirit. They have never worked against the national interests.

Yours etc....
(Predhuman K. Joseph Dhar)
Jammu Tawi.

American hegemony

Sir,

This is in the reference to news items "US launches second attack.......'' which appeared in Daily Excelsior dated 18.12.98. Latest American air attacks on Iraq have exposed the double standard policy used by America against week and other developing nations. On the one hand America forces other countries to sign CTBT to control expansion of Nuclear weapons and on other hand it indirectly helps countries like Israel and Pakistan in their nuclear programme. By these attacks on Iraq America wants to prove its supremacy over other countries by any mean may be by force or by economical influence.

One day they attack terrorist training camps in countries like Afghanistan, Libya, and Suddan without any proper warning and on other day they impose sanctions on some other country.

UN has become a puppet in hands of America. One side America and Britan call their air attacks on Iraq as right step taken by them to ensure peace and prosperity in the region and on other hand U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan called air attacks, a wrong step taken by America and Britain. In this interview to media persons, Kofi Annan disclosed that it was a sad day for UN. Other three members of UN Security Council, Russia France and China were of the view that attack cannot solve the problem but can make it more complicated, so to avoid complicacy, diplomatic talks should be resumed as early as possible between the both countries.

Russia called attacks as curdely violative of UN Chapter & countries which are against American attacks on Iraq have termed these attacks as Clinton's policy to divert attention of people from impeachment in Monica Lewinsky affair so that he can continue in office for more time.

And other thing that Clinton wants is to end Saddam's role from Iraq. But it is not so easy for Clinton because in tough times of war people of Iraq can stand with Saddam Hussein against crude attacks by America on them. While Iraq charges that America forces extra sanctions on the country for which poor people have to suffer. Iraq has claimed that they fully co-operated with UN weapons inspection team inspecting, its chemical and biological weapon sites. They have also charged that Butler report is misleading and away from facts. On other hand Richerd Butler UN weapon inspector is a highly unpopular with council members except US and Britain.

This report by Butler is onlya way to please Washington, because the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which is responsible for elimination of Iraqi nuclear weapon programme, has given a more or less clear chit to Bhaghdad saying that Iraq has provided the necessary levels of co-operation to enable its inspectors to work efficiently and effectively. That is nothing but American hegemony.

Yours etc.....
Sandeep Rana
Forest Lane
Doda city

Strive for superiority

Sir,

In the month of May when India conducted nuclear tests for 2nd time after a gap of 24 years the people were of the view that India in coming year will emerge a super power and will be able to balance the imbalance that was created by China which has conducted nuclear test many years ago. China has already fought a battle with India in 1962, and took a large portion of Ladakh and is still one of greatest threats to India. The scene even became worse when Pakistan conducted the nuclear test in the same month of May and became a nuclear power. As compared to China, Pakistan is a possible threat because Pak has fought three battles with India in 1947, 1965, and 1971 respectively and is running militancy in J&K and in North Eastern States. Pakistan was also involved in Proxy war against India in Punjab in which it failed.

So, both Pak and China are posing a great threat to India. It is even worse because China is capable of making long range missiles, tanks, air crafts, helicopters, and many other weapons used in war and spare parts of many weapons. China has helped Pak openly in its nuclear programme over years.

On the other hand, India mostly depended on erstwhile Soviet Union for crucial spare parts and even for engines. India's dependence on Russia is due to fact that USA never helped India. It provided Pakistan with weapons, crucial spare parts and even helped Pak indirectly to acquire nuclear technology because huge amount of money which was used in Pak nuclear programme over years came from America.

So, to cope with its defence problems India should and upgrade its old weapons.

The condition of India today is like a "ladle moving in a cooking pan with out relishing the taste of what is being cooked.''

India has every kind of aircrafts, tanks, Radar systems and submarines but it is unable to manufacture their spare parts. So, Government should do something or either it will be not good for India's defence.

Yours etc.....
Kamal Deep Rana
Doda City
Near Police Station

Save Bihar

Sir,

I want to focus the attention of Congress stalwarts towards the present political scenario of Bihar. As every common man is fully aware of the fact that there is 'Jungle Rule' in Bihar. The recent public out cry by Bihar Congress in Bihar against corruption, criminalisation and casteism is enough proof that people are fed up with this Jungle Rule. It is only narrow politics of Congress in Bihar which is giving rise to criminalisation and corruption. Congress party which has got overwhelming support of voters in Delhi, Rajasthan and MP shall shun its narrow politics in Bihar. Honest efforts of Congress President needs to be followed in Bihar. I hope Congress President will soon direct the Bihar Congress to withdraw its support to RJD. In this way it will be the only solution to save Bihar from Rabri Government. After withdrawing support let the Governor of Bihar decide the future course of action.

Yours etc.....
Chand Zutshi,
Jammu University