Letters to the editor

The article by T.S.R.Subramanian, 'Singh Parivar8217; is illuminative but his core comment that 8220;UPA allies have desecrated the Cabinet system8221; is hardly apt, given the Indian context.

Alien model

8226; The article by T.S.R.Subramanian, 8216;Singh Parivar 8217; is illuminative but his core comment that 8220;UPA allies have desecrated the Cabinet system8221; is hardly apt, given the Indian context. It was the British who had welded India into one administrative unit and then grafted the Westminister model of parliamentary government on it. They cobbled together the Indian identity which was never there in the first place. What the writer calls desecration was bound to happen. Looking at the antics of our parliamentarians in legislative bodies, one comes to the dismal conclusion that cabinet system or parliamentary niceties and nuances are alien to our ethos. Sir Ivor Jennings8217;s text on the cabinet system or Alexis de Tocqueville8217;s observations on American democracy are many light years away from Indian shores. So neither the Congress party nor its allies are responsible for the malaise. They are acting out their political instincts. Collective responsibility and healthy working of two party system of government do not mean anything to our parliamentarians or members of cabinet.

8212; John Alexander

Nagpur

No Bihar faux pas

8226; The Governor of Karnataka should not repeat the mistake of Buta Singh, the then governor of Bihar, in dissolving the Assembly though there was a possibility of formation of a popular government at that time.The moral ground cited by Congress now is not valid, since the same party was involved in the Bihar episode setting aside all political ethics. Whatever may be the combination, whether ethical or not, if there are a large number of MLAs supporting a particular candidate, the Governor ought to give a chance to the person supported by the majority of MLAs to form government and then make him prove his strength on the Assembly floor. Hope, the Governor sends a factual report to the Centre, and the Union Cabinet also recommends to the President the lifting of President8217;s Rule.

8212; V.S. Ganeshan Bangalore

Sister8217;s remarks

8226; I think the remarks of the UP chief minister against Mahatma Gandhi that he divided the nation on caste lines are unfair. She should know that Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar both were great men. One brought freedom to the country and the other served the nation by giving it the Constitution. Had these two great men been alive today they would be working hard for the uplift of the poor. Behen Mayawati as a true follower of Babasaheb she should work for the development of dalits and non-dalits of at least Uttar Pradesh. It is said that Narendra Modi has provided electricity and power to each village in Gujarat and all villages except 600 have been connected with roads. Mayawati should also work tirelessly to provide such facilities in every village of Uttar Pradesh, not distract herself with such remark-making.

8212; S.C. Aggarwal

Sydney

Clue to terrorism

8226; Tavleen Singh Muslim problem is about justice is right in stating that unless the Indian state can convince Muslims that they will not be denied justice and equal opportunity, we will continue to have a Muslim problem. The cause of terrorism in India is the injustice done to a particular group of people. The solution to the problem of terrorism in India is that politicians should be honest, and not instigate innocent Indians to kill. Police should protect the innocent, not become politicians8217; cat8217;s paw.

8212; Mohsin Hanif Shaikh

Pune