Change,in waves
* The assembly poll results have a message for the people,the parties and the politicians (The verdict,IE,May 13). Bengal voted with emotion while Tamil Nadu did so with greater calculation. In both,the push for change has been massive. But Jayalalithaa has pipped Mamata with a more stunning margin. The Left must have learnt that pure ideology operating from politburos without ground-level corrections will not guarantee perennial success. The content and shape of politics in India,particularly of the regional variety,are extremely sensitive to actual progress on socio-economic parameters. In this age of information,public perceptions can no longer be moulded by political rhetoric alone.
R. Narayanan,Ghaziabad
Double standards
* A sex scandal doesnt agitate Indias male-dominated society much if the culprit happens to be male (The lives of others,IE,May 20). The same society cannot tolerate a girl enjoying a drink with her friends,leave alone her perceived sexual misconduct. Our culture also testifies to our split personality disorder. While we as a society ignore Krishna cavorting with his gopis,Sita,who was abducted by Ravan,had to go through a trial by fire to prove her chastity.
Satwant Kaur,Mahilpur
ISI Inc.
* This refers to your editorial Pasha unplugged (IE,May 17). The warning for India to keep away from emulating the Abbottabad operation and the talk about already identifying targets in India and conducting rehearsals,came not from Pakistans president or prime minister or even their army chief,but from the ISI chief,Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha. This speaks volumes about the authority the notorious intelligence agency wields in Pakistan and its deep involvement in anti-India operations. India needs to take serious note of the situation.
M.C. Joshi,Lucknow
Under the lens
* This refers to two reports,He said 70-foot,not 74 mounds,but Cong quietly buries dead bodies inside,Why Rahulji thoda confuse ho gaye honge and the editorial Example politics (IE,May 19) on the Bhatta-Parsaul incidents. The editorial aptly focuses on Rahul Gandhis repeated forays into ill-advised statements which do no favours for his political stature. Being No. 2 in the ruling party and a prospective prime-ministerial candidate,he must weigh his words carefully. He is being judged closely for his sobriety and response to crucial issues.
M. Ratan,New Delhi
Sent upstairs
* I refer to Soli Sorabjees Its in the numbers (IE,May 20). The problem,essentially,is that Governor Bhardwaj is an incorrigible Congress loyalist who does not bother with constitutional proprieties despite holding a high constitutional post. He should learn something from his predecessor Rameshwar Thakur on how to conduct himself as governor. It is a tragedy that our Constitution does not prescribe qualifications for the appointment of governors,and gentlemen like Bhardwaj end up creating uneasy episodes for the state concerned. UPA 2 must reconsider the way that governors are selected and not simply rehabilitate retired politicians like Bhardwaj.
M.K.D. Prasada Rao,Ghaziabad
