• Thia refers to the editorial ‘Torching freedom’. Our comrades in West Bengal want to have the cake and eat it too. While they enjoy the benefits of democracy, they deny freedom to others. That is what happened to those who proposed to organise a rally in Kolkata. They profess to guard our sovereignty and national interests, as in opposing the nuclear deal, but have no qualms about undermining them in their anxiety to guard the strategic interests of China. They have no objection to China’s capitalism, but would oppose our reforms, be it in the area of labour or pension or even disinvestment. Yet, they want Western capital for West Bengal, where they stalled economic development for the longest period. — Prasad Malladi NidadavoleNot just 27 per cent• After the Supreme Court upheld the 27 per cent OBC reservation in higher educational institutions, many continue to lament the decision on grounds of sacrificing “merit” in the process. However, they seem to accept several other kinds of reservations that have been continuing in the public domain, which affect efficient working of both public and private administration. For instance, in every state, government jobs are denied to more meritorious candidates from other states, as the posts are “reserved” for people of the particular state only. Similarly, barring a few professionally managed companies in the private sector, appointments to the top management positions are made from among members of the promoter-families, regardless of merit. — C.S. JacobNavi MumbaiBut why?• Reservation for OBCs in private educational institutions and 20 Central universities, IITs and IIMs is most unfortunate. This is vote-bank politics. Sweeping quotas are always against national interests. Reservation must be done away with in all government and semi-government institutions and organisations. The day is not far when the whole country will face a situation like that of education in Bihar, because of reservations. Can we afford such a situation, especially in the field of education? In fact the word “reservation” must be deleted with an appropriate amendment to the Constitution itself. But politicians have no vision of tomorrow’s India. They cannot see beyond their votes.— Mahesh KumarNew DelhiFaith on screen• Tavleen Singh has gone overboard in ‘The myth of moderate Islam’. While analysing a particular film (Khuda Kay Liye), Singh is blithely drawing conclusions about Islam. A good understanding of Islam is required before launching into an exercise of this kind. The film may be the viewpoint of a particular individual, in this case the director; but it certainly does not reflect that of a whole community. — Md Arshad HussainPatna
