Hypocrisy on Nepal

Flawed analysis

• I usually agree with Tom Friedman’s views. However, the general euphoria following a successful election in Iraq seems to have clouded his balanced outlook in ‘A moment of decency’ (IE, February 4). The comment that the victory of the Iraqi Shiites would inspire an uprising in Iran is naive as is the comment about a basic schism between Arab and non-Arab Shiites. The Ayatollahs in Iran are as ecstatic as Friedman is. After two plus decades living next door to Saddam Hussein, an Iraq dominated by fellow Shiites and led by an Iran-born Ayatollah who is close to many of the clerics in Iran, is now turning into a reality. Shiites are paranoid, with good reason. They have been brutalised by their Sunni rulers and the US is now threatening the only Shia state, Iran. Unless and until the Shiites regain their confidence, Iraqi and Iranian groups will huddle together for self-preservation, Arab or non-Arab, democratically elected or not, irrespective of what the US wants.

— Arul Bhaskar New York

It’s our fault

• I will begin from where your editorial concludes ‘What next, Guv?’ (IE, February 4). Goa represents a breakdown not only of democracy, but also institutional propriety. It is a measure of where our democracy stands today. Goa is not Bihar or Uttar Pradesh. It is surely the most peaceful, secular and outward looking state. The country cannot be held to ransom by an thin minority of politicians. The role of a citizen should not be over only by the casting of a vote.

— Randhir Patel New Delhi

Wake up, now

• Increasing Naxalite violence and their flourishing networks not only in Jharkhand and Bihar and their neighbouring areas but all across India, are extremely disturbing. This militant outfit is fast growing as the hub of organised terrorism. The way the government and state administrations are handling the tricky situation speaks of their lackadaisical approach in bringing the guilty to book. Our ‘‘visionary’’ PM and his benefactor Sonia Gandhi seem to be asleep at the wheel. Other UPA bigwigs like Lalu Prasad Yadav are far too busy in getting their party re-elected.

— Safiuddin Khan Aligarh

In a fish market

• Government truly looked like a fish market when hours after raising the FDI limit in telecom, EPF rates were raised by the Cabinet as demanded by Left. The day after saw a tussle between the finance ministry and labour ministry over footing the additional Rs 1,000 crore outgo owing to the increase in the EPF rate. A confused Left, finally decided to rouse itself to launch a nationwide agitation against the increase in FDI limit in telecom.

— Gaurav Dua Delhi