Dangerous politics

The report 8216;Cops surround Naxal leaders, pulled back8217; IE, February 5, once again showed how the political class betrays society...

The report 8216;Cops surround Naxal leaders, pulled back8217; IE, February 5, once again showed how the political class betrays society. The agony of the special anti-Naxalite Grey Hound commandos can be well understood. They got a rare chance of rounding up anti-national elements and it was rudely snatched away. This is simply outrageous. These political leaders should be held responsible for any death of civilians or police personnel which might occur in future at the hands of Naxalites.

8212; A.K. Sharma Chandigarh

8226; Your editorial 8216;Hounded by cynicism8217; IE, February 7, is extremely disturbing. The Congress was and is notorious for its politics of appeasement of minorities. But this is a more dangerous trend, wherein they are now appeasing Naxals who have been spreading terror not only in Andhra Pradesh but in a belt extending from AP right up to our border with Nepal and beyond. What is worse is the demoralising effect this approach has on the police force. Security does not seem to figure on the UPA radar.

8212; Satyen Mehta Mumbai

Test their mettle

8226; I wonder how many Indians watched the US Senate hearings for confirming the appointment of Condoleezza Rice as US Secretary of State who corresponds to our foreign minister. Wish we had such a system. While a Chidambaram will easily pass the test, the same can hardly be said of others in the cabinet. We need to change the quality of many of our MPs. This requires the negative vote facility to be immediately introduced.

8212; T.R. Ramaswami Mumbai

Good going

8226; The Vilasrao Deshmukh government in Maharashtra is demonstrating a zest for improvement in all departments of governance. There has been a trimming of the top bureaucracy at Mantralaya. This exercise will not only save the taxpayers money and reduce the burden on the cash strapped government, but accelerate its functioning. Too many cooks spoils the broth.

8212; Chagani E. On e-mail

Just like Thackeray

8226; Apropos of 8216;India to Pak: Reconsider decision on Ahmedabad8217; IE, February 7, those who thought it was only Bal Thackeray who mixed sports and politics have been proved wrong by the Pakistan Cricket Board PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan. His statement that the Pakistan cricket team would not play any cricket match in Ahmedabad due to 8220;political reasons8221; is shocking. Had security concerns been cited the reason behind the decision, it would have carried some weight. But to say that Ahmedabad or Gujarat are untouchable because of political reasons is an insult.

8212; M.C. Joshi Mumbai

Remember?

8226; We seem to have completely forgotten those who fought 34 years ago to preserve our freedom and have been since languishing in Pakistani jails as POWs. It is not just our government that is responsible for our men still rotting in Pakistani jails. We are equally to blame for doing nothing in this regard. These men fought and risked their lives for us, for our freedom. Their families have suffered for so long. It8217;s still not too late. Let8217;s initiate a public campaign to get them home.

8212; Parmod Goel Kaithal