Water divide

Instead of adding fuel to the flame, these celebrities should make every effort to settle the dispute between the two neighbouring states.

We are not known as Kannadigas or Tamilians when we travel abroad. We are known as Indians. As citizens of the same country, we are brothers and sisters. There must not be any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed and regional identity. Rather than fight among ourselves we should compromise and resolve all contentious issues. We should unite to defeat the real enemies of the land. And our political leaders should be ashamed of their acts. They are promoting such fights for political gains. If they are really Indians they should stop their antics.

8212; Shailesh Kumar

Bangalore

Forbidden induction

8226;You have rightly voiced concern over the induction of M.S. Gill into the Union ministry. Gill, after a commendable term as the chief election commissioner, has indeed set a dangerous precedent for his successors and for political parties. Gill will also fall in the public eye henceforth. The UPA has sent a very wrong signal to those in public office, especially those in institutions that must necessarily be impartial. Gill8217;s induction is betrayal of democratic ethics. If all election commissioners eye ministerial berths after Gill, we will know who to blame.

8212; Anil Kowshik

Zuarinagar, Goa

Shuffling along

8226;The reshuffle of the Central cabinet was an exercise in futility, since the move has come a bit too late in the day to make any meaningful change in the style of the UPA8217;s governance. Instead, what it has managed is the unnecessary and avoidable controversy over the inclusion of M.S. Gill in the council of ministers.

8212; V. Padmanabhan

Bangalore

Soap wash

8226; When the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Mayawati, claims that 8220;Rahul goes through a tedious purification process after visiting Dalit homes8230; washes himself with a special soap8221; 8216;Rahul8217;s Dalit Prem a Mere Eyewash8217;,, it reminds me of the late Pramod Mahajan8217;s malicious comparison of Monica Lewinsky with Sonia Gandhi. Why do politicians use such mean tactics?

8212; Bidyut K. Chatterjee

Faridabad

Questions in M8217;rashtra

8226;Bal Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray should first declare what they have done for Maharashtra before pointing fingers at others. If the Thackerays are concerned about Maharashtrians, why have they not encouraged them to become entrepreneurs instead of job-seekers alone?

8212; Vikrant Kulkarni

Mumbai