Letters To The Editor

Party culture8226; Going by its past record, your well-meaning editorial, 8216;Listen to the bench8217; IE, November 7 is unlikely to e...

Party culture

8226; Going by its past record, your well-meaning editorial, 8216;Listen to the bench8217; IE, November 7 is unlikely to elicit any positive response from the Congress, which has had only one agenda since independence 8212; that of acquiring and retaining power by hook or by crook . It is waiting for an opportune moment to take recourse to the Ninth Schedule in the sealing case and thereby win over the agitated Delhi traders, leading to return to power in the forthcoming elections to the MCD, followed by Assembly and then Lok Sabha elections in none too distant a future. It would indeed be a surprise if the Congress does otherwise, no matter how much advice is rendered by the media. People have not forgotten Shah Bano Case, Allahabad judgement unseating Indira Gandhi, Emergency and so on. These examples are sufficient to read Congress party8217;s intentions all along, never mind if Sonia Gandhi is at the helm and not any seasoned Congressman or woman.

8212; G.S. Kulkarni, Delhi

Sealing is legit

8226; Traders going on frequent Delhi Bandh against sealing and turning violent in their protest is ominous. Their plea that it is a bread and butter question has no locus standi in the eyes of law; for they knew full well that they were doing something illegal by operating their shops against rules, the reason why they paid bribe, which they now admit . These unscrupulous traders are making the life of Delhi citizens difficult. It is unfortunate that politicians have now joined them in their agitation. If they have their way, despite the apex court and thanks largely to these politicians, that would set a dangerous trend 8212; of starting something illegally and then getting it legalised.

8212; Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi

Brief for Jethmalani

8226; The other day there was a hour-long debate in a news channel on Ram Jethmalani8217;s decision. Your editorial 8220;Wrong De Basanti8221; IE, November 6 rightly says that the wholly false debate over Jethmalani8217;s decision seems to suggest that many who claim to speak for justice are getting amnesiac about law.

Notwithstanding the nature and gravity of the crime committed, every accused has the constitutional right to defend himself and get a fair trial. Similarly, defending his client is the profession of a lawyer. Like any other accused Manu Sharma has every right to engage the best of lawyers he can afford. Jethmalani is a lawyer and can rightfully take up the case of any accused who would pay his fees.

8212; M.C. Joshi, Lucknow

Godfather Poly

8226; In the death of Poly Umrigar, Indian cricket has lost a legend and Mumbai cricketers a godfather. Poly Kaka, as he was popularly called, groomed cricketers like Gavaskar, Wadekar, Sardesai, Solkar and others, who went on to dominate world cricket during their times. He was also a great cricket administrator apart from being a top class coach, who was respected by one and all. Mumbai cricket in particular has been orphaned by Umrigar8217;s departure.

8212; S.N. Kabra Mumbai

Not cricket

8226; The controversy generated by the media and the cricket fraternity over the Champions Trophy final celebrations by the Aussies is astonishing. People are giving arguments that Indian culture and sentiments have been hurt, but is it truly the case? Do we respect our elders enough?

8212; Samrat Sengupta, Kolkata