Democracy? No!• The article, ‘Screening Intolerance’ (IE, May 25), by Soli J. Sorabjee, said it all. Indian society seems to be mired in a deeply moral conflict within itself. On the one hand, we claim to be a liberal democracy, where ideas are bartered across the market-place of freedom. But, on the other, recent events, be it the pseudo-ban in Gujarat, or the calls for bans on ‘blasphemous’ movies, have shown a disturbing trend towards throttling freedom. Let us not forget that the resounding dictum of democracy is: “I disagree with what you say, but I defend to death your right to say it.”— Abhinav Chandrachud, Mumbai • How can the Gujarat government allow this to happen in a democratic country like India? (‘Gujarat’s asmita?’, IE, May 25) Aamir has not said anything against the construction of the dam but has only voiced his concern for the displaced people and the riot victims, irrespective of their religion. He only commented on Modi’s bad handling of the situation. I don’t understand how all this can be considered as insulting the Gujarati people. The Centre, the courts and the police should intervene in this matter, because this ban curbs freedom of expression and the democratic rights of citizens.— Amjad K. Maruf, Mumbai• A star who has iconic status in India supports a cause and he is made to suffer. In the USA, celebrities routinely abuse the president. That is why it is a great and a progressive country. Arundhati Roy speaks a lot of mumbo-jumbo. However she was right when she said that democracy in India is a PR myth. I think the film industry should come together and boycott Gujarat. They shouldn’t release a single movie in the state. The people of Gujarat have displayed such intolerance it makes me embarrassed as an Indian. BJP goes on about PM’s silence and Sonia Gandhi’s hold over the PM. What about their silence over Modi’s dictatorship? Why isn’t Advani saying something? Madam Swaraj, BJP is as bad as Congress, if not worse.— Varsha Chandwani, MumbaiContrary signals• A Detailed reading of your news item, ‘First signal.not all 27% at one go’ (IE, May 25) makes it very clear that there are several other “first signals” arising out of what seems to have transpired officially in the UPA-Left co-ordination committee meeting. These signals, which are contrary to your above headline, are quite disturbing to those who have been objecting to the “quota Raj” in the interest of maintaining high standards of excellence in our institutions of higher learning. An advisor to Arjun Singh categorically maintained that “reservation is fixed at 27 per cent from 2007” —there were no “ifs” in this statement.— Sameer Kumar, MumbaiDo it this way• The OBC quota is not going to lift the standards of OBC students. Dependency is always a curse. If the government really wants to uplift OBCs, it should provide support, subsidies, etc, up to the secondary school level. Make them excellent students so that after passing the 12th they are able to compete on their own. In any case, getting admission into MBBS is no assurance that one will be a good and successful doctor.— Sanjeev K. Dhaumya, New Delhi
