After the attack

• RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan’s attack on our most eminent politicians ...

• RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan’s attack on our most eminent politicians asking them to step out of politics is unjustified (‘Stand up to the RSS’, IE, April 13). Agreed, both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani have reached a certain age, but that doesn’t mean that they are hindering the entry of new players in politics. I think it is an exaggeration to say that Advani and Vajpayee are over-staying as leaders; rather, their efficiency, experience and staying power are their assets.

— Monika Rawal New Delhi

• The Vajpayee/Advani leadership was never the invincible juggernaut that some made it out to be and the turf they trod on has turned from green to brown. Far from sanctimonious ranting, K.S. Sudarshan’s advice for a change of top BJP leadership is a refreshing plea to unveil a new look.

— Ganesh S. Krishnan On e-mail

Chinese checkers

• Now this is what I call clear thinking and a well-balanced approach (‘From Bhai-Bhai to Buy-Buy’, IE, April 13). We Indians tend very easily to become euphoric and irrational. Before we consider all the offers and suggestions put forth by countries like China, let’s weigh the economic fundamentals of the other country. We must take into account China’s own perceived strategic interests, the possible agenda behind any offers, our own strategic and economic priorities, the benefits that could accrue to us, the room we would have for finetuning the suggestions to suit us, and the space available to reach an understanding and agreement.

— Rajesh Arya Berlin

Uncivil liberty

Story continues below this ad

• Apropos of ‘Modi, Modi, quite contrary’ by Nandita Patel (IE, April 7), America is known as the bastion of civil liberties. I am no supporter of Narendra Modi. However, denying a visa to him has put a chink in that armour of civil liberties. Modi would have been there for a short while and in public gaze, monitored all the time by security. This denial has unnecessarily provided him and his fellow travellers a chance to score some debating points by invoking national pride. Even the prime minister had to voice a feeble disapproval of the US decision.

— R.C. Khanna Amritsar

Au revoir, Saurav

• Saurav Ganguly’s ban is a blessing in disguise for the Indian team as well as for Ganguly himself (‘Ganguly gets ICC stick for go-slow again: Will sit out in the next six ODIs’, IE, April 13). During this forced break, he can concentrate on finding form for forthcoming series. India really need an attacking batsman in the middle to perk up the run rate in the mid-overs, the area where we failed in the fourth ODI against Pakistan on Tuesday.

— M. Shiju Bangalore

• It was a well deserved win for Pakistan in Ahmedabad. The turning point of the match was Saurav Ganguly who lost valuable overs due to his inconsistency and erratic play. Otherwise India could have put on another 30 winning runs. It’s good that Saurav has been banned, paving the way for Rahul Dravid to be captain.

— Rajeev Pradhan Mumbai