BE WARNED! HILL TOPS, LAKES AND WATER-FALLS BELONG TO HINDUS!

BE WARNED! HILL TOPS, LAKES AND WATER-FALLS BELONG TO HINDUS!

Ganga Prasad G. Rao
http://myprofile.cos.com/gangar

I was appalled by the news about the Andhra Government granting TTD exclusive rights to seven hills on religious grounds. The decision smacks of religious impropriety committed by the majority religion on minorities and various other users of the region. The seven hills region is an evergreen forest area that finds the favor of several classes of users – students, trekkers and wilderness-enthusiasts, geologists, wild-life enthusiasts, botanists, and vacationers apart from local residents. The fact that the majority Hindu community usurped every hill top, water fall and lake in the country, constructed a temple and appointed a 'God' to it does not mean that other users or members of other religions should be excluded from enjoying them. In fact, and to the contrary, the government should recognize the multiple classes of uses and users of the region and explicitly enjoin any one class of users from claiming exclusive right to the region. The decision to trust the TTD with all rights to the seven hills - though ostensibly to avert religious conflict - is perhaps intended to force minorities and non-religious users to 'suck' and seek permission – a thoroughly unnecessary step that will involve the TTD in matters as diverse as academic research, commercial activities, personal enjoyment, and so on. The Ordnance will turn the area in to a quasi-independent religious entity with quasi-sovereign powers to exclude those whom the authorities deem 'incovenient'. Is that the intent? The decision reflects the political power wielded by wealthy religious organizations belonging to the majority community. This is contrary to every tenet of secularism and democracy. It does not bode well for the future of India as a democratic, secular state. It can only open doors to religious extremism from excluded sections of our society, putting the peace and security of our democracy at risk. Be forewarned!

I ask the Government of Andhra Pradesh to rescind the decree and instead constitute a more comprehensive authority, the Tirumala Hills Development Authority, responsible for the holistic and integrated development of the seven hills. TTD could operate under the auspices of the THDA. The THDA would be responsible for ensuring freedom of entry and legitimate use for all user classes besides ensuring sustainable resource exploitation of the region. The alternative is a divided society constituted by religious bigots claiming jurisdictional superiority where dissenting opinions are steamrolled by the majority. Sometimes, the true test of intelligence is introspection, self-judgment and self-policing. Surely, there are sane heads in the majority community who will stand up for justice? Don't tell me they too are a minority?