(This was a letter posted to 'Herald' on 16 /4/2010 and reposted with minor changes on 20/4/2010. But seems that the Truth is being kept under wraps.)
The disclosure of facts by Arundhati Roy seems to have tickled many like SND Poojary from Miramar (Herald, 16/4/10). We can understand this patriotic Indian's concern about the disrespect to freedom fighters. After all liberated Goa has been made accessible to migrants, devastation and plunder. Now they want the forests of Chatisgarh and Jharkhand to be liberated for plunder. We do not need to go into the forests to understand the plight of the tribals. All we need to see is what is happening to Goa. How people opposing devastating projects are labeled anti-nationals, anti-development, anarchists and so on. The local people's livelihood, culture, language, environment can go to hell. Is eliminating thousands of fellow citizens in the name of religion, caste, unity and integrity of the country to be classified as patriotic? Or, is it only the prerogative of a select few to question the Constitution of India and define as to who are Indian and who are not? The truth always hurts and if Arundhati Roy has to pay for stating it, then it is nothing surprising. Year after year the Good Friday celebrations remind us about the naked fact of oppression and suppression of the 'Truth'. Even to this day we have the Pontius Pilates and the crowds instigated by the scribes and pharisees to shout "Crucify her!" But every crucifiction of truth is confronted with a 'Ressurection'. -Soter D'Souza
