THIS refers to the article ‘Ram Mandir — an ill portent’ (Jan 20) which discussed religious fanaticism prevailing in India, in particular, and in the subcontinent, in general. It described well the genuine secular stance of Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. However, it would have been better had the article mentioned the religious ritual or ceremony that the latter was going to attend when he was assassinated on Jan 30, 1948.

In Pakistani politics, religion has been used for various purposes, but there has been no particular suppression of Hindus or other minorities. Notwith-standing some isolated incidents, members of the minority communities are far more comfortable in Pakistan than is the case in India.

The truth is that all religions propagate a humane treatment of fellow human beings. We need to understand the many shapes of fanaticism that is spreading in countries like India and Israel, and which incites human beings to choose hatred rather than coexistence. Intolerance, surely, is a cancer that kills positivity in life.

Zubair Siddiqui
Dallas, USA

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2024