Letters to the EDITOR

J.S. Bandukwala, based in Vadodara, is no stranger to these columns.

J.S. Bandukwala, based in Vadodara, is no stranger to these columns. In fact, some weeks earlier we had carried a lively debate on his piece calling upon Muslims in Gujarat to forgive and move on after the Gujarat riots. We carried this letter on Monday, after news of the Modi victory had come in. It was almost as if he had predicted that win and his message was clear: whoever wins the Gujarat polls has a special responsibility to the state8217;s most marginalised citizens. It was an important point to flag and we commend his effort by recognising his letter 8216;Mellow in democracy8217; as this week8217;s award winner.

8226; Elections are the foundation of democracy. Its pillars are the protection of the weak, the poor, of women and of minorities. An election victory can never justify injustice and humiliation against the have-nots. Democracy can only work if good citizens speak out their conscience to remind a ruler of his fundamental duty towards the deprived of society. A wise ruler listens to this voice of conscience. Moderation, humility, self-introspection and remorse are the highest virtues of those in power. It is that which distinguishes a Lincoln or a Gandhi from a Hitler or a Jinnah.

Benazir and Pakistan

8226; This refers to your report about the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, who was shot dead by cowardly terrorists in Rawalpindi on Thursday, shortly after she had finished addressing an election rally in Liaquat Bagh. It is a sad demise of a great leader who was keen on ensuring democracy in a country that was sorely in need of it. President Musharraf had, perhaps, not provided her with the required security. Even workers of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif8217;s party had come under attack. It is really very shocking and upsetting that these senior leaders were not provided with enough security.

Benazir Bhutto was also interested in maintaining a cordial relationship with India. Islam does not allow such killings and Holy Quran preaches against such mindless slaughter. What an irony that in a Muslim-dominated Islamic country like Pakistan, Muslims are killing Muslims. I join all those who condemn this act. Bhutto8217;s killers must be brought to justice.

8212; E. Ahmad Rais Siddiqi

New Delhi

8226; The assassination of Begum Bhutto is shocking, although the possibility of such an assassination was in the air for a while. She knew the risk of coming back to her country and her optimistic approach took her there. For Pakistan, her death is a great loss. She believed truly in a democratic set-up and economic growth for her country.

8212; M. Kumar

Delhi

Honest satrap

8226; This is with reference to the piece, 8216;Flashing V, Iron Hand8217; by Shishir Gupta. Shishir Gupta has correctly interpreted the psyche of the common Gujarati voter who voted for Narendra Modi. An ordinary citizen wants peace in the state so that he or she can get on with their daily life and job, without any hassles. Gujarat has been a terror-free state because the no-nonsense Modi has reigned with an iron hand. And people of this state do believe that he is sincere and honest about working for them. This is the reason he has proved all the political pundits wrong.

8212; Prasad Lele

Vadodara