The recent statements made by Lata Dhavalikar stating that Western culture causes rape, and that Hindus should not send their children to Convent schools, reflects intolerance, hatred and animosity towards other religions and cultures. Lata Dhavalikar should not take the high moral ground as the sole spokesperson of Indian culture. India is a multi-lingual and multi-religious country. Our secular Constitution does not allow any room for the majority religion to impose its will on the minority religions and vice-versa.
Every country has something good to offer in terms of culture. Lata Dhavalikar should remember that one person’s food can be poison to others and the food of others can be a poison to you. She should learn that the USP of Hinduism is tolerance and nothing else. Can Lata Dhavalikar explain to the Indian people why so many Indian Hindus want to migrate to USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe? If the culture of these countries is so bad, then why is there such a rush and eagerness to go to these countries? It is seen that Indians, when they settle in these countries, wish to integrate with their newly-adopted country without any resentment.
Can Lata Dhavalikar also please explain why the Indian government wants the technology and expertise of these Western countries? It is Western society that has given much to the world in terms of medicines, manufacturing and cutting edge technology. We in India, are more obsessed with our caste system, display of wealth and power. Lata Dhavalikar should remember that the laws of the western countries are borrowed and highlighted, even till date, in our country’s judiciary.
We should try hard to uplift our people by encouraging them to get good and disciplined education. In my opinion I feel that convent schools are the best for overall progress of a student.
Paul Pereira, Utorda
