Fr Cedric Prakash asks 'how then, do they approve a carnival that is alien to
the 'culture of Gujarat?' Have they undergone a 'conversion' or are they
wearing a mask?' Obviously, he thinks he has a right to decide what Gujaratis
can do and what they cannot. In his view, anyone who participates in a
carnival must first convert to paganism and migrate to West. Ironically, his
question comes immediately after his statement that 'the right wing elements
of our society today, have taken upon themselves the 'responsibility' to decide
what we eat, how we dress, where we live, whom we marry and which religion we
should believe in'. Iwonder if he sees the obvious contradiction in his
statements. Is he favouring us with his advice because he is part of the right
wing elements? otherwise he should keep his views on who has a right to do what
to himself.
I think by their constant and loud propaganda people are only strengthning the
hands of those who want to silence. He should understand that in a society as
big as ours people like him can never hav monoply over all irrationality. If he
talks a little less than he is prone to he will be doing a favour to the saner
elements in Gujarat. Otherwise the right wing elements are bound to outshout
everyone else.
Suresh Mahajan
