Forcing the issue
* Anna Hazare has managed to gather a crowd because he has a message with a near-universal appeal. But the solution is far more complex than he would have us believe. His movement doesnt offer advice but wants to write a bill and undermine elected legislators. What would happen if groups start agitating for their various demands and get their way by way of mass protests? There will be mob rule and anarchy. Annas arguments have some merit but his manner of forcing the issue is dangerous. The problem with the movement is that the Lokpal is being presented as the definitive solution to corruption,whereas it is at best a starting point. Anna and his team should advise the people as to what extent the Lokpal would reduce corruption and what should be done after the bill is passed to reduce corruption further.
Jassi Khangura,Congress MLA,Qila Raipur
Comedy of errors
* The agitation by Anna Hazare is solely a making of the Congress because it miscalculated on several fronts. It refused to read the nations pulse. Its first blunder was the introduction of its Lokpal bill and the dismissal of the Jan Lokpal bill. This angered the nation and now the Congress is adamant on technicalities. The Congress further messed up by hurling charges at Anna and compounded it by accusing the movement of having communal backers.
Harischandra Parshuraml,Mumbai
Reform now
* As the editorial More,not less (IE,August 24) pointed out,people are discontented and frustrated because the government has been going slow on implementing the necessary reforms. The peoples right to services should be acknowledged; they should not have to wait endlessly for what is their due from the government. The new generation of reforms should bring about both transparency and accountability.
Ved Guliani,Hisar
Lifes a goal
* This refers to Bhaichung Bhutia bids goodbye to international football (IE,August 24). He has been the face of Indian football. Though he might not have fulfilled his dream of representing India in the World Cup,at least he ensured that we won the Nehru Cup. Now that he has hung up his boots,the government and sports authorities must help him train talented young footballers.
Bal Govind,Noida
Blame game
* The BCCI has to be blamed for Indias shoddy show in England. The board must remember that T20,ODIs and Tests are three different formats and so require players with different attributes. Players should be selected only on the basis of their form and fitness. Seniority and popularity should not count here. Also,cricket should be promoted in the local level to expand the pool of players. And maybe we can consider bringing the BCCI under the ambit of the proposed Lokpal.
Keshab M,Pune
