Opinion Letters to the editor

Sugar low
THIS refers to the editorial ‘Not so sweet’ (IE, June 25). What has become of the concept of conflict of interest in public life? The Union transport minister, Nitin Gadkari, participated in a meeting convened to take important decisions affecting the sugar industry. But Gadkari is involved in the industry himself. His interest in Purti Sugar is widely known. Any decision taken at such a meeting could arguably have been of great personal and financial interest to him. It so happens that all the decisions taken at the meeting were in favour of the sugar mills. The effect of these decisions has been a steep increase in the price of sugar, which the aam aadmi will have to bear. Gadkari ought to have recused himself from the meeting.
— Mookhi Amir Ali
Mumbai

Humanitarian issue
APROPOS of C. Raja Mohan’s ‘Addressing Dhaka’ (IE, June 24), it was suggested that the relationship between India and Bangladesh can’t remain untouched by the social situations that create tensions in the neighbourhood. While trade, transit facilitation, Teesta water sharing and terrorism are very important issues, the serious threats faced by minorities in Bangladesh should also concern us. It is imperative for the government of Bangladesh to take into account the suffering of its religious minorities. They are victims of discrimination and deprivation. Often, they have no option but to flee to India. But can we afford this?
— Saradindu Mukherji
Delhi

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Still the greatest
THIS refers to ‘Once upon an Emergency’ by Inder Malhotra (IE, June 25). There is no doubt that Indira Gandhi’s decision to promulgate the Emergency was a major cause for political turmoil in the country. But how ironic that after her humiliating defeat in the 1977 general elections, she bounced back to power in 1980. A few years of unstable governance under the leadership of Morarji Desai was enough to convince the people. They forgot the pain of the Emergency and she remained in power till her assassination in 1984. Indira Gandhi is one of the greatest prime ministers of India.
— Chinmay Jain
Delhi

What of the rest?
APROPOS of the editorial ‘Lawbreakers all’ (IE, June 25), the court held that the residents had purchased the flats knowing that they were unauthorised. But the question is why the Campa Cola buildings were allowed to be constructed by the municipal corporation in the first place. Everybody thinks that illegal buildings can be legalised by the payment of a fine. There are hundreds of similar illegal buildings in Mumbai. Will the SC order the demolition of all?
— M.C. Joshi
Lucknow