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Journalism of Courage
• This refers to ‘Best Bakery vs Upper Crust’ by Shekhar Gupta (IE, May 29). My city, Baroda, was one of the worst hit during the Gujarat riots. During the riots and after we had only three options. First, to surrender to the Hindu majority supported by some fanatics and live as second-class citizens of India.
Second, to take up arms. But we didn’t do that because we believe that the majority of our Indian Hindus are very good and mature people and that they see us as equal brothers.
We want to live in harmony with them.
The last option was to defeat these few fanatics through democratic means. We tried our best in the Gujarat assembly elections. And even though our vote had no impact then, we did not get disappointed. When the general elections came, we again voted against the BJP and this time all the Muslims of India were with us, as were the Hindus.
The election result has vindicated our faith in Indian democracy.
— Mohammed Shaikh
• Shekhar Gupta is right that Verdict 2004 is mainly against the communal policies of the BJP. In fact, that looks like the only common thread in
the verdict.
But I wonder how anti-communal are those middle class voters in Delhi who are basically anti-minority and anti-backward communities. Just remember the anti-Mandal stir.
— Neeraj Nanda
• This was a vote mainly against the communal policies of the BJP/Parivar, and it is unfortunate that the Left has veered away from what was expected of them.
The Congress will not be forgiven if this golden opportunity to make India a powerful secular nation is frittered away. I hope Sonia Gandhi and the Left read the article. Let them not miss the wood for the trees.
— S.L.J. Gallyot
Middle path
• It is high time that the Left realised that the days of the Red Revolution are over (‘Red alert’, IE, May 29). They cannot afford to hold the present coalition government hostage to their demands and expectations.
They must acquaint themselves with reality. Our relations with Israel have been to our advantage, especially in defence-related fields. The Left’s opposition to healthy ties with Israel shall be against the national interest.
— Shashank Ranjan
Gujarat reversal
• How fast one’s fortunes change (‘Modi, time to pack up’, IE, May 29). Just until last month, before the results of the general elections were announced, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was a hero and considered the mascot of his party. After Modi’s famous victory in his state a couple of years ago, his party members wanted to feature him in every election campaign for they felt that his very presence would tilt the poll results in their favour.
Alas, things have changed so drastically after the shock BJP reverses in Gujarat in the general elections that there are now serious considerations about replacing Modi as chief minister. And he has only himself to blame for this. Had he contested the assembly elections on the basis of development and progress made in his state under his regime and not on the lines of communal polarisation, the scenario would never become so adverse for him.
— V. Rajesh
