Opinion Letters to editor: Credit cronies

Credit cronies
This refers to ‘India Stinc’ by Shekhar Gupta (IE, February 15). The writer’s incisive analysis of crony capitalism, which prevails in Andhra Pradesh and the rest of the country, as epitomised by Lagadapati Rajagopal was a real eye-opener. Gupta’s anecdotes about Andhrapreneurs and other corporate leaders immediately brought to mind the infamous Satyam episode of 2008, in which Ramalinga Raju was the protagonist. Had all the bank loans that Lanco is on the verge of defaulting on been more appropriately distributed to needy farm/ non-farm enterprises, it could have lifted a few thousand people above the poverty line.
— Suraj Pandey
Noida

When an ordinary citizen defaults on a loan taken from a bank, menacing recovery agents are sent to his house to intimidate him. In contrast, bailout packages are presented on silver platters to irresponsible businessmen and investors. The kings of good and not-so-good times have no qualms in spending exorbitant sums of money on IPL players and franchises, while telling their employees that they have no funds to pay salaries. Such examples of crony capitalism and unfairness have led to the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party. It is unfortunate that the AAP is unable to focus on a constructive agenda and is obsessed with anarchy.
— Ketan R. Meher
Thane

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The wave
The AAP is known for out-of-the-box political strategies, as seen in the Delhi assembly elections. Its success, in large part, can be attributed to such strategies and tactics. After forsaking power by resigning from government in Delhi for not being able to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill, the new party is focusing on the fast-approaching Lok Sabha polls (‘AAP targets big names in first list, Yogendra, Medha in fray’, IE, February 17). It has taken a calculated risk by fielding 20 first-time candidates against powerful, established politicians. Its courage to fight these powerful politicians stems from the fact that the party unseated many prominent politicians in the Delhi assembly elections.
— K.S. Sundaram
Bangalore

The way forward
This refers to ‘Breaking the binary’ (IE, February 17). Facebook’s more inclusive approach to gender is welcome. By providing more (50-plus) gender options to members, the tech company is doing huge service to human rights. The debate on Section 377 of the Indian penal Code should be informed by the changing world and attitudes to gender and sexuality. The world is becoming more inclusive and respectful of an individual’s dignity and rights. Indian society, government and courts need to learn from Facebook.
— Pravin D. Ingawale
Pune