While waxing eloquently about service and love, the Pope through his chauvinist and hard-line theory of espousing 'only one true religion', made it clear on his recent visit to India that the tolerance and goodness displayed by Hinduism counted for nothing. Hinduism is non-judgmental and Hindus have graciously accepted the Christians amongst them.

However, Hindus are content with their religion and they do not want outsiders seeking to change their religious and political demography through orchestrated mass-conversions.

However, that is what the Pope has advocated. This makes it very difficult for the Hindus to be accommodating. In the US, the activities of the Communist Party were banned for a time, because successive US governments saw the potential damage that such a party could do to the fabric of American society.

However, in India, Hindus have shown a willingness to live with Christians.

They ask only one thing: that the Christian Church does not seek to eliminate Hinduism through conversions, thus changing India forever. Christians are welcome in the country, so long as they do not try to convert non-Christians. All Indians are trying to do is protect the integrity of their nation, and to defend their culture and their freedom.

These are basic human rights. While attending an inter-faith meeting, the Pope talked about dialogue, understanding, and solidarity between religions.

The next day he reverted to his insistence on Christianity as the only true religion, and raised the call for conversion in the Asian continent.

This is hypocrisy and duplicity at its worst.

VENKAT SELLAPPAN Bloomington, Illinois, US