Letters To The Editor

The second attack on tourists in Kashmir has raised questions not only about their safety but also about the threat of militancy looming large in the Valley...

Presidential step

8226; President Abdul Kalam has returned the office of profit Bill after raising certain valid observations. These need to be addressed in the nation8217;s interest. But it appears that the same Bill may be sent again without any changes, or with the slightest of modifications. Since the president has no power to refuse to sign it a second time, he should do so and then resign. This principled stand will do wonders for Indian democracy and will demonstrate the president8217;s selfless interest in the nation 8212; not his chair.

8212; M. Kumar, New Delhi

8226; Apropos of your editorial,8216;Look who profits8217; IE, June 1, President Kalam8217;s observations on the OOP Bill are quite valid. Everybody knows that the sole aim of the Bill is to save those MPs from disqualification who are holding various offices of profit. Naturally, the offices covered under the Bill had to be selective and individual-specific, leaving no space for a 8220;generic, comprehensive, fair and reasonable criteria applied across all states and Union territories in a clear and transparent manner8221; as desired by the president. In case the Bill is sent again, the president should refuse to act on it, like President Zail Singh did with the Postal Bill.

8212; M.C. Joshi, Lucknow

8226; By returning the office of profit Bill seeking to exempt 56 MPs from that category is indeed a bold step, considering that politicians have succeeded in converting the office of president into a mere rubber stamp.

8212; Abdulruff Colachal, Baroda

8226; When political leadership treats the Constitution as an instrument to exercise its will, concepts like morality and rationality become redundant. Of late our ruling elite has considered their vested political interests more than parliamentary norms and ethics. The president, by returning the Bill, has rightly expressed his apprehensions that the Bill aims at exonerating the flouting of the law by a privileged group of leaders.

8212; V. Guliani, Bangalore

One point, please

8226; D. Raja writes very strongly in favour of his well-known stance on the OBC quota issue 8216;Goodwill, greed and the righting of history8217;, IE, May 31. He equates Open Category seats with upper-caste seats and conveniently overlooks the fact that they are open to all sections of society and many SCs/STs and OBCs have compete successfully in this group. Can he rewrite his article correcting this view?

8212; Mohan Koppikar, Mumbai

Cowards all

8226; The second attack on tourists in Kashmir has raised questions not only about their safety but also about the threat of militancy looming large in the Valley 8216;Terror targets tourists8230;8217;, IE, June 1. Coming right after the successful round table talks, it makes clear that the militants hardly want peace to reign in the Valley. However, this attack is also aimed at destroying Kashmir8217;s economy, particularly when tourism in the state seems to be flourishing. The acts of cowardice veil the insecurities of the terrorists. How can people who kill the innocent and harmless proclaim to be rebels with a cause?

8212; Abhishek Law, Kolkata