By demanding that the Bhagavad Gita be declared a “national scripture”, Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has needlessly created controversy ( >Editorial , and “ >Sushma criticised for Bhagad Gita remarks ,” both Dec. 10). Perhaps what has irked many is her specific remark, “only a formality remained to be done in this regard”, which sounds as though her wish has been unanimously accepted. It is unfortunate that the BJP rakes up the Hindutva factor at every given opportunity. The BJP should know it was largely voted to power not on its own credentials, but at the cost of the Congress’s misery.
R. Sivakumar,
Chennai
The Gita, revered by billions across the world as the best spiritual text that has influenced them, does not require the patronage of a state to maintain its place in their hearts. The statement by the otherwise prudent Minister can be termed as part of a concerted effort to polarise the populace on religious lines for electoral gains. Indians are intelligent enough to distinguish the ulterior agenda hidden beneath the garb of an agenda of development
C.K. Saseendran,
Bengaluru
By proposing that the Gita become a “national scripture”, we are only furthering attempts to reduce its global stature. Let us not think of such attempts in a vibrant secular democracy like ours.
L.N. Dash,
Hyderabad
