Opinion Active voice
Apropos For J&K views Bhagat Singh Sena goons beat up Bhushan,the incident was a shocking display of barbarism and narrow-mindedness.
Active voice
* Apropos For J&K views Bhagat Singh Sena goons beat up Bhushan (IE,October 13),the incident was a shocking display of barbarism and narrow-mindedness. If one does not approve of Prashant Bhushans statements on Kashmir,then argue with him,dont attack him. Unfortunately,some of us are eager to use violence and aggression as a means to oppose a point of view. Strict action must be taken against the culprits and the groups they represent for they are attacking our right to free speech.
Suren Abreu,Mumbai
* The attack on Prashant Bhushan is condemnable. The home minister has rightly called for action against the attackers (Bhushan attack: PC seeks strict action,IE,October 13). Freedom of expression is a guaranteed fundamental right under the Constitution. However,statements on sensitive issues should be made carefully. For,our society consists not just of principled people,who adhere to non-violence and a balanced view. There are fringe elements ready to go on a tangent. Therefore,the intelligentsia,howsoever right on such matters,needs to be extremely careful with their words and actions.
Mathew Oommen,Pune
Bail and jail
* Law minister Salman Khurshid is right when he says that bail is a rule,and jail is an exception. However,the minister seems to be only concerned about top businessmen not getting bail. What about the common people to whom bail is denied? Those who do not have access to eminent advocates to push for their right to bail? As law minister,Khurshid should be more worried about people who unfairly spend years in lockups for alleged petty crimes. His claim that locking up businessmen will harm investment is also objectionable as upholding the law of the land without worrying about the repercussions is the duty of the judiciary. The government should focus on providing a conducive environment to attract investors and let the judiciary take its course in dealing with tainted businessmen.
Anurag Choudhary,Pune
Change of plan
* This refers to A reinvention on track (IE,October 10). Undoubtedly,the country has had a tremendous transformation since Independence and,therefore,its institutions need to be remoulded to keep them functionally relevant to the aspirations of a rising nation. The Planning Commission is one among them. The thrust should shift towards participatory development rather than a top-down approach. Otherwise,absurdities like the current poverty line debate will keep surfacing. Planning should be empirical,based on ground realities,and should have a humanitarian bent.
Vikas Talwar,Panipat
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