LETTERS

Horseplay in Harappa

I congratulate you on publishing the forthright article by Michael Witzel and Steve Farmer, titled "Horseplay in Harappa" (October 13). In the article the authors refer to Rajaram and Jha's claim to have read a "pre-Harappan" text from Harappa. The potte ry "tablet" from Harappa that they claim to have "read" is the lead illustration in a BBC Online story by Dr. David Whitehouse titled "'Earliest Writing' found." This story and the image can be viewed at http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid-3 34000/334517.stm.

The image of the inscribed piece of pottery was obtained by the BBC directly from the website maintained by Omar Khan, http://www.harappa.com, and was never seen before publication by me or by any of our team who were excavating at Harappa at the time (M ay 4, 1999). This is unfortunate because the image depicted in the BBC story is not the object discussed in the Online story. That object, a potsherd with a triple trident motif dating to sometime between 2800 and 3500 B.C., was at the time and still is available on the Harappa website http://www.harappa.com/indus2/124. html and is also illustrated on page 15 of the October 13 issue of Frontline. Instead of being willing to accept that the BBC had made an error and depicted the wrong image, Rajar am has launched into a remarkable diatribe on the "Sword of Truth" website excoriating me for a clarification that was distributed on the Indology Listserver in which I pointed out the error made by the BBC and also pointed out that while the body of the BBC story was basically correct, the first and last sentences served to sensationalise the story.

In the end, of course, it is a matter of trust in the integrity of the individuals concerned and acknowledgement that definitive statements on matters of archaeological context can only be made by the excavators of a site. In addition, the appropriate pl ace for such statements is in publications by the archaeologists themselves and not in news stories written and photographs chosen by journalists who are sometimes not as careful as they might be in checking their material.

Richard H. Meadow
Project-Director,
Harappa Archaeological Research Project
Peabody Museum
Harvard University, Cambridge
meadow@fas.harvard.edu

The story made fascinating reading. Such counterfeiting of history has always been the province of motivated and unscrupulous scholars. But two points need consideration. One: It is possible that the Harappan characters do stand only for consonantal valu es. I am not supporting the fraudulent thesis of N.S. Rajaram and Jha. Neither am I in agreement with their readings. But it is possible to presume that at such an early time in history the script was only a little more advanced than the knotted thongs f ound in South America. Two: What is the explanation for the depiction of an animal which surely could not have existed then? Could it have been a ceremonial adornment? It cannot be explained away as a flat depiction of two horns as the four feet are clea rly seen in perspective. Perhaps it is an aurochs but only one horn is shown because the head is seen in profile. This, incidentally, is the opinion of M.S. Randhawa, a great scholar and original researcher.

Indira T. Baramma
Chennai

The pseudo-scholars aided by the media have embarrassed historians. In their love for an ancient tradition and a particular language they have given biased and prejudiced views against a version of the Indus Valley Civilisation that is born out of genuin e research. In the process they have tried to redefine the messages of Harappa and Mesopotamia.

R. Ramasami
Tiruvannamalai

Your intentions are clearly to undermine Indian society. Max Mueller's story about Aryans not only spawned the genocide by Hitler but also added fuel to the fire set by such communalists as E.V. Ramasamy. Romila Thapar's vision of history is a flawed one . Your bias becomes very clear from the fact that you invite just one side to express their views in your columns.

A.D. Sudhindra
Chennai

The Cover Story has shaken the foundations of Rajaram's theory. His thesis does not seem to proceed from facts to conclusions. The hymns in the Rigveda praising God for giving them victory over their enemies clearly indicate that the Aryans were invaders .

A. Jacob Sahayam
Karigiri, Tamil Nadu

The Laxman line

The interview with Bharatiya Janata Party president Bangaru Laxman (''In defence of a pro-Muslim strategy,'' September 29), provides a glaring example of the doublespeak of the majority of politicians. Laxman urges the Muslim community to support the par ty, while being non-committal on whether the BJP will refrain from raising any controversial issues during the elections or at any point of time in the future. This shows that his call to Muslims was a political gimmick aimed at widening the party's elec toral base and that even now the party is firmly rooted in its ideological beliefs. Also, the measures that Laxman says his party's government has taken for the benefit of Muslims are nothing more than an eyewash and may not bring any long-term benefits to them.

Laxman must understand that if his party wants to increase its strength in the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies, it should take some confidence-building measures to move closer to the minorities, instead of just resorting to rhetoric.

Gautam Jha
Madhubani, Bihar

Tibet

In ''Educational take-off in Tibet'' (September 29) N. Ram says that the pre-1959 Tibet, ruled by the Dalai Lama, was ''one of the most backward places on the earth''. While it may be largely true that pre-1959 Tibet had nothing like modern education, Ti bet has made no great strides in education after China's advent. Under the People's Republic of China, Tibet is far from being a perfect society educationally. Every year hundreds of young Tibetans in the age group of 15-30 come to Dharmasala, facing tre mendous physical difficulties, for two purposes: to have a glimpse of the Dalai Lama and to receive modern education. Owing to the exodus of young Tibetans, which began in the early 1980s, the Tibetan Children's Village School is bursting at the seams. T his is very significant because the standard of education in Tibetan schools in India itself is far from satisfactory. But Tibet is definitely not a socialist paradise.

Dechen Wangmo
Kollegal, Karnataka

The article on Tibet (''Tibet-A reality check,'' September 15) will encourage the people of India and China to come closer. N. Ram writes: "As early as September, 1959, the Dalai Lama, acting against Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's specific advice, sou ght, unsuccessfully, to get the United Nations to intervene in Tibet." This proves that it was not the intention of Nehru to make Tibet an issue. Neither India nor Nehru ever wanted to challenge the sovereignty and integrity of China. It was only on huma nitarian grounds that the Dalai Lama was given asylum in India.

Patanjali Chaturvedi
Lucknow

Astrology in the syllabus

It is a pity that the University Grants Commission proposes to introduce courses in Vedic astrology and Karamkand at the undergraduate, post-graduate and Ph.D levels ("Update: Another saffronisation move", September 15). In that event India will be the s econd country in the world, after Sri Lanka, to include astrology in university curriculum.

Astrology has failed to stand scientific scrutiny. In astrology, calculations are made on the basis of the assumption that the earth is the centre of the universe, a theory which has been proved false in astronomy. Dr. Abraham Kovoor, a rationalist, has tested the claims made by astrology and proved them false.

Kulwinder
Kadiana, Punjab

Mother Teresa

Navin Chawla's tribute to Mother Teresa ("Remembering Mother Teresa," September 29) was impressive and instructive.

The quote at the beginning of the article was touching and inspiring. Mother Teresa was the epitome of love and kindness and she enjoyed the affection and goodwill of all sections of society. Her work of charity was unparalleled. By remembering a great p erson whose life itself was a message to millions of people around the world, the author has rekindled hopes of a better tomorrow. While observing her death anniversary we should take a pledge to dedicate our energy and time to the cause of suffering mil lions all over the world.

Roy Chacko
Kochi

The NGMA

This has reference to the article "And now the NGMA" (September 29).

Contrary to the opinion that the national emblem has been depicted "in a less than reverential manner," I would say that the painting "An actor rehearsing the interior monologue of Icarus" has drawn on the national emblem only to draw people's attention to it. Ashoka is the only Indian ruler to have publicly renounced violence and made recompense for his own acts of violence. I do not think this element of the Ashoka pillar is what is revered today.

Naramani Somnath
Received on e-mail

Half-bull and the full horse I read with interest the article "Horseplay in Harappa" by Michael Witzel and Steve Farmer (October 13). As my views on the controversial Harappan seal (Mackay 453) are apparently referred to by N. Jha and N.S. Rajaram in their book The Deciphered Ind us Script and also cited by Witzel and Farmer in their article, I feel I should explain where I stand in the matter. Mackay's Seal 453 is broken off right in the middle and the front part of the animal is lost. Judging from its hind part, and comparing the seal with hundreds of similar ones found in the Harappan sites, one may say that the animal is most probably the ' unicorn' bull, or the bull with two short horns, or the humped bull (listed here in the order of statistical probability based on the frequency of bovine motifs on the seals). In any case the animal on the seal is clearly a bull and most certainly not a 'horse'. ILLUSTRATION: K. RAJA Mackay's Seal 453 is listed as No.2453 in the Concordances of Indus Inscriptions published by Parpola and Koskenniemi in 1973 and by me in 1977. These publications describe the animal, partly visible on the broken seal, in the following near-ident ical terms: Parpola and Koskenniemi (1973): code 93: "broken unidentified bovid". Mahadevan (1977): code 35: "uncertain animal (mostly bovine) in the field". Sometime early in September 1997, Dr. Rajaram wrote to me enclosing a copy of the published photograph (of the impression) of Mackay's Seal 453 and an artist's reconstruction which miraculously turns the half-bull into a full horse! Rajaram also said: "O ur recent findings about... the 'horse seal' (and the writing on it) seem to make Parpola's theory of Harappan Civilization as non-Vedic untenable. We have found other connections with the Vedic which Jha and I'll be presenting in our forthcoming book The Indus Script - A New Direction." I replied to Rajaram on September 11, 1997 as follows: "I am somewhat surprised you see a 'horse' in the Mackay Seal. The rear half of the animal looks like that of a unicorn in many other seals." The projected book has now been published by the authors with a more assertive title. The authors state (page 162): "A well-known Dravidianist tried to argue with Rajaram that the animal on the seal in question (Mackay 453) is not a horse but a unicorn bull." I take the reference to a "Dravidianist" as a compliment. But I do not see why Rajaram should have fought shy of mentioning my name, especially when my views have been on record from at least 1977. Tenali Raman, the famous court jester, once boasted to the king that he had done a fine fresco of a galloping horse on a wall of the palace. Having never suspected the jester of artistic abilities, the curious king went and had a look at the wall. He saw a splash vaguely resembling a horse tail (made earlier by Tenali Raman with a broom dipped in cowdung paste). The king asked, "But where is the horse?". Replied Tenali Raman: "Behind that wall, your Majesty!" I. Mahadevan Chennai

Legal opinion of the Attorney-General The article "Conflicts and interests" (October 13) expresses a viewpoint that is difficult to appreciate. The insinuations made are unmerited. The first issue is regarding the opinion given by the Attorney-General (AG) to M/s. Hinduja National Power Corp oration. It is said that it was given in breach of Rule 8(b) of the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987, which states that "a Law Officer will not advise any party against the Government of India or in cases in which he is likely to be calle d upon to advise, or appear for, the Government of India". This rule will not be attracted to a case where the private party as well as the Central government desires to have the opinion of the AG as there is convergence of interest; not conflict of inte rest. The AG in his letter dated May 3, 1999, addressed to the then Law Minister who was also the Minister for Power, after stating that M/s. Hinduja National Power Corporation were seeking his opinion about the interpretation of the counter-guarantee entered by the Central government in relation to a thermal project in Andhra Pradesh and reproducing the questions on which the opinion was sought, clearly stated that he was orally informed by the advocates representing the querist that the Government of India was anxious to have his opinion about the true scope and effect of the counter-guarantee, and desired to know whether the Government of India was agreeable to his giving his opinion in the matter. The Government of India responded, through a letter dated May 10, 1999 of the Additional Secretary to the Government, that the AG could give the opinion in the aforesaid case. This was subsequently confirmed by the then Law Minister. There have been several instances where the Central government permitted law officers even to appear for private parties notwithstanding a similar restriction contained in Clause (a) of Rule 8 that a law officer should not hold briefs in any court for an y party except the Government of India or the government of a State or a university, Public Service Commission, government-aided institution, company and so on. Rule 10 expressly confers on the Central government the power to relax any of the provisions of the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987. Therefore to regard the opinion by Mr. Soli Sorabjee as misconduct and say that "a misconduct does not cease to be so even if it is done with the permission of a superior officer" does not reflect a proper understanding of the object and purport of the Rules or the practice. On merits, the opinion given by the AG to the effect that if there is any inconsistency between the second recital and the operative part of the counter-guarantee, the latter is to be preferred is based on several authorities cited therein, including Hal sbury's Laws of England and the decisions of English courts as well the Supreme Court of India. Almost two pages of the opinion have been devoted to the discussion of the authorities. The learned author not only ignored all this in his article, but did not even refer to Clause 9 of the operative part of the counter-guarantee, which, in various sub paragraphs sets out the conditions precedent that have to be satisfied before the counte r-guarantee can be enforced. They require compliance by the Corporation with the provisions of the Act, the tariff notification and the norms of operation laid down by the Central Electricity Authority for the power station under Section 43-A of the Elec tricity Supply Act, 1948, as also compliance by the company of the advice/comments of the Government of India before the finalisation of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and the PPA and the tariffs stipulated therein being in conformity with the applic able laws, rules and notifications. The AG expressed the view that Clause 9 is a self-contained clause. The opinion notes that "notwithstanding anything contained in the guarantee to the contrary, the guarantor (Central government) shall have no obligati on or liability unless and until each of the conditions precedent specified in Clause 9 shall have been satisfied." Non-advertance to these material aspects in the article gives an incorrect impression of the opinion to the readers. The next issue is about the two opinions given by the AG in the Telecom matter. The very issue is sub-judice in proceedings pending in C.W.P. No. 4510 of 1999 Delhi Science Forum v Union of India in the High Court of Delhi and it would not be prop er to discuss matters that are sub-judice. The first opinion given by the AG on January 6, 1999 was in the context of the line of action to be adopted against defaulting licence holders and the encashment of their bank guarantees. The AG opined ag ainst conceding the demands of the defaulting operators about migration to revenue-sharing scheme with retrospective effect without making any payments. The new Telecom Policy, 1999 had not yet been promulgated. The second opinion was sought on two questions after the new Telecom Policy was promulgated. They were mentioned in the article: a) Whether it is legally possible to bring the existing licensees under the New Telecom Policy regime; b) Or alternatively, whether to extend the New Telecom Policy regime to the circles where there are existing licences, and if so, the appropriate modalities therefor. Thus, the context and terms of reference of the two opinions were different. In the second opinion, given on June 16, 1999, the AG once again emphasised that defaulting operators should not be fully absolved of their contractual obligations and suggested imposition of several terms as conditions precedent to the migration package. In his opinion, the AG stated that "in order to answer the two questions referred to me, it was necessary to consider other interconnected issues, namely, (a) whether the Gove rnment of India has the legal authority and competence to integrate the existing licence-holders into the National Telecom Policy, 1999; (b) whether it would be fair and equitable to do so; (c) whether such a course of action would subserve public intere st; and (d) whether it would withstand judicial scrutiny." According to the instructions given in the case of opinion, the telecom industry was in a precarious financial state and there was an urgent need to revive it. Letters to that effect from various political and public personalities, including Members of Parliament like Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, were enclosed to the case for opinion. The AG has given reasons for his opinion based on the documents and instructions contained in the case for opinion. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General was published after the second opinion of the AG. The contention that the migration poli cy involves the loss of several crores of rupees is one of the issues pending in the writ petition before the Delhi High Court and the government is defending its action. As the matter is sub-judice, it would not be proper to enter into a discussi on on this aspect. The validity of the government's migration package will be decided by the court. Only thereafter can one comment. The article seems to have ignored the basic fact that on legal issues more than one opinion is possible. One may or may not agree with the opinions given by the AG. It will not be fair to make insinuations against a constitutional functionary who has dis charged his duty to the best of his ability in a transparent manner. Difference of opinion is not peculiar to lawyers alone. Even Judges differ in their views on questions of law and fact. The endeavour should be to appreciate a different viewpoint witho ut imputing motives. To suggest vaguely that the opinions of the AG are "convenient opinions to suit some Minister or bureaucrat with an agenda" is, to say the least, regrettable. P.P. Rao Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India New Delhi