Power tools

Political undermining of Indias public institutions is an undeniable fact. However,theres nothing surprising about the CBI blowing hot and cold in cases related to political leaders based on their...

Political undermining of Indias public institutions is an undeniable fact Power to truth,IE,August 31.

However,theres nothing surprising about the CBI blowing hot and cold in cases related to political leaders based on their current relation with the party in power. In spite of all assertions by the government and claims by the CBI of its independence,its just like any other government department bound to go by the wishes of those in power. The Congress has been in power for most of the time since Independence,and given its history of manoeuvring the CBI,its often called Congress Bureau of Investigation. Cases like Mulayam Singh Yadavs and Mayawatis make it clearer. Unless its put out of government control,the CBI will remain subject to blatant political manipulation.

M.C. Joshi

Lucknow

The editorial Power to truth rightly says the CBIs cat and mouse game with Mayawati once again exposes its pliability. Theres no denying that the CBIs role has been under a cloud due to political interference. Whether its Lalu Prasad or Mulayam Singh or L.K. Advani,the CBI has let them all off the hook due to political compulsions. Even the Taj Corridor case against Mayawati had been dropped under pressure from the UPA. Now if the CBI is again chasing Mayawati,this time on her disproportionate assets case,itll again encounter the same fate and be forced to drop the pursuit. The CBI has been an instrument in the hands of the party in power at the Centre.

R.K. Kapoor

Chandigarh

Your editorial Power to truth reflects on the pliability of the CBI,which successive Union governments have used as a political tool. Mayawati had used the governments weak moments to her advantage for which the Congress is equally responsible. The CBI has been equally misused by the BJP in power as well. As a result,the CBIs credibility has declined tremendously. The bureaus unabashed use as a political weapon against political opponents has made it useless. Truth no doubt will prevail in the end,but its a long,potholed and dusty road ahead.

Ashok Goswami

Mumbai

Pawar U-turn

Wasnt it contempt of court earlier by the minister in question for having made a statement that the order was only a suggestion and thereby excusing himself by claiming that the same was not implementable SC raps Pawar: Free foodgrain for poor an order,IE,September 1? When rapped,he now makes a U-turn to assure the court that the grains will be distributed. How did it become implementable suddenly? How is the court going to monitor that the foodgrains are distributed free of cost and bona fide? And shouldnt this order have come from either the PM or the UPA chairperson to their NCP ally?

Kedarnath R. Aiyar

Mumbai