Opinion Going too far
Your editorial Look whos talking deserves praise.
Going too far
* Your editorial Look whos talking (IE,August 30) deserves praise. Its a matter of grave concern that MPs want to silence their critics through breach of privilege proceedings where Parliament plays the multiple and conflicting roles of plaintiff,prosecutor,judge,jury and executioner. The twin essential requisites of a democracy are choice (elections) and voice (free speech). Freedom of speech is a fundamental right,subject only to reasonable restrictions imposed by law and cannot be abridged by parliamentary privileges. MPs are free to criticise Om Puri or Kiran Bedis utterances and may file defamation charges against them. But the breach of privilege move is grossly inappropriate which will only fuel public anger.
C.A. Srinivasan Anand G.,New Delhi
* While condemning the uncivil derogatory comments from two public figures,the more important issue for MPs is to ponder whether they represent public perception. Though a majority of our MPs are graduates,how many of them attend Parliament and participate in debates therein? Since brilliant contributions of the kind we saw in the recent discussion on the Lokpal bill are rare,MPs are noticed more for their unparliamentary words,intimidating gestures,shouting in the well of the House,etc. The answer to a public rebuke should be the exhibition of insight and informed deliberation on the floor of the House rather than a privilege notice.
Y.G. Chouksey,Pune
Running out of time
* The slow process of reform is a taking toll on Indias growth prospects (Numbers of failure,IE,August 30). Its evident from recent growth trends,which are lower than expected. The lack of a clear environmental clearance policy,problems of land acquisition,intermittent protests,have had a negative impact on growth. Investors arent showing confidence in the Indian economy. The government should realise Indias growth cannot be sustained unless strong political measures are taken. There are many reforms pending.
Swapnil Wankhade,Amravati
* While its unpardonable that our policy-makers have consistently failed to address the growing pessimism about Indias growth story,the uneasy status-quoism is equally puzzling. Its obvious that a slew of reform measures are long past their time. Yet,we only get the occasional statement of the obvious from the PM,and no follow-up. If the Congress is hesitant about antagonising its rural voters by pushing a neo-liberal agenda,it should take heart from the recent middle-class politicisation. Theres a constituency for growth,and as of now its alienated,almost hateful of the government. Then,if only as a politically savvy move,lets have the necessary reforms. The absence of strong decision-making has revealed the UPAs lack of vision.
Gurpreet S. Goraya,Mohali
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