Factually untrue

Sir, - This refers to the article, `Hidden agenda and beyond,' by Mr. M. S. S. Pandian (TheHindu, April 8). I do not wish to comment on the views of the author despite the many bizarre arguments it contains.

But I would like to point out that the article is factually untrue with regard to the position of the CPI(M) on reservation. It is a known fact that the CPI(M) supported the reservation for both SC/ST and BCs at the all India level Central sectors and at the State level (69 per cent reservation for SC/ST and BCs). Mr. Pandian writes that the CPI(M) also opposed the reservation which is factually untrue.

G. Ramakrishnan,

Chennai

Sir, - Regarding Mr. Pandian's rather contorted attempt to colour the saffronites and the secularists with the same brush, all I can say is that in a country of our size and diversity, but for the authority of Nehru's nationalism and stringent secularism, we would have subsided into our current state of assertive regionalism and religious fundamentalism much sooner - even before our democracy had taken root.

It was not for nothing that Indira Gandhi used to stress the importance of a strong Centre. Nationalism is much more important than is being made out by Mr. Pandian. The real threat to the integrity of India comes not from any external factors, but from internal factors such as petty regionalism and unbridled religious fundamentalism.

Ramakrishna Poduri,

Cupertino (U.S.)

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