Tags:
Journalism of Courage
8226; This refers to Shekhar Gupta8217;s column 8216;He still doesn8217;t get it8217;. Having come to power in Pakistan through a coup, and then stage-managing his win in a presidential election, enjoying the unstinted support of America all along, Pervez Musharraf is devoid of all democratic instincts.
Barring Yahya Khan, all his military predecessors in Pakistan have talked of 8216;guided democracy8217;, hanging on to America8217;s coat-tails. They thought America would help them get J038;K through war or the UN; that has not happened till date. Yes, Pakistan got the most modern weapons and plenty of aid. Against this background, will Musharraf demit office so easily? No. His statement that the verdict last week was not on the election of president shows his understanding of democracy.
There are generals, and generals. We recall only two who understood democracy.
Generals Eisenhower and de Gaulle, both World War II veterans. Eisenhower had the good sense to fight two terms and win, but he warned the world against the 8220;emerging military-industrial complex8221; in his own country. De Gaulle resigned as student protests reached a crescendo. That is respect for democracy.
M.N. Saudamini
Deal range-finder
8226; Your editorial 8216;Don8217;t wait for Obama8217; says the obvious but the difficulties are also well-known. The UPA did try to take on the Left on this issue but, owing to CPM8217;s anti-imperialism, the reluctance of other allies to face a mid-term poll and the BJP8217;s obsession about re-negotiating the deal, it had to retrace its steps. The apprehension that George W. Bush8217;s successor in White House might not offer the same terms to India has been repeatedly made.
However, nobody knows how enthusiastic the new administration would be about a deal rushed through on the eve of elections there. Given the Democrats8217; strong anti-proliferation persuasions, India may have to sign the NPT and the CTBT to end its nuclear isolation.
New Delhi
Violence raj
8226; It is ridiculous that Raj Thackeray has tried to justify his politically motivated attack on north Indians by calling it a political movement and saying that political movements don8217;t need to obey the law.
After violence broke out in Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra, it was Thackeray8217;s moral responsibility to immediately withdraw his agitation and to appeal to his party-men to desist from violence. Instead, he continued with his tirade and is now approving the violence by terming it 8220;the outbreak of spontaneous outrage in a people8217;s movement8221;. Where was the 8220;people8217;s movement8221; before his attack on north Indians? He manufactured it in his quest for political space.
Parallel universes
8226; 8216;Strike Force8217; by Vinay Jha has given a deep insight into the progressively growing presence of Naxalites, recounting first-hand accounts, presenting ground realities and detailing the structure of their well managed organisation. It is really unfortunate that the political leadership of the country, irrespective of political affiliation, has miserably failed to grasp the magnitude of the issue.
Naxalites have tapped successfully into a deep well-spring of anger and desperation of poor, deprived people, based on both ideology and despair, bred by poverty. I feel that solution lies in good, efficient and corruption free governance.
Bhatinda
