Opinion Letters to the editor: Equally effective

Equally effective
Apropos of the editorial ‘Opportunity lost’ (IE, January 14), constituting an Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) will not only displace other group-specific commissions but also mean that its duties and functions will overlap with theirs. So instead of constituting an EOC, the minority affairs ministry should consolidate the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). The ministry can give the NCM the powers that the EOC would have and make sure that the commission remains true to its founding spirit and performs its duties honestly. An EOC is  superfluous and will only make the existing system more complex.
— C. Anand Meena
Delhi
Rough edges
This refers to the editorial, ‘Rough Justice’ (IE, January 17). The Aam Aadmi Party has shown that it does not believe in the rule of law or constitutional mechanisms but in vigilante justice. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had wanted people to go around with cameras and record the wrongdoings of government officials. Now the law minister wants Delhi Police to raid foreigners’ houses — after pronouncing his belief that they were drug peddlers and criminals — without a search warrant or complaint. This kind of behaviour does not behove the elected representatives of a democratic country like India. There are grim times ahead if the AAP manages to win power at the Centre.
— K. Ashok Kumar
Kolkata

AAP in the air
The initial euphoria that prevailed when the AAP formed government in Delhi is quickly evaporating. There is much anxiety about the way the government is playing to the gallery. The trouble with the AAP is that it is in a mad rush to publicise itself. Its janata durbar ended in fiasco earlier and now its ministers want to deliver ready justice. It was also patently absurd of the party to ask the public to undertake sting operations to nab the corrupt. Moreover, the media cannot be used as an extended department of the government to tackle corruption. The AAP locked itself into inaction by teaming up with the very party it believed had entrenched the rot in the system. The latest inner party revolt is also an ominous signal that all is not well with the new government.
— V.N. Ramachandran
Vadodara

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Asian duet
This refers to the article ‘Singh and Abe, Act Two’ by Sanjaya Baru (IE, January 17). India and Japan are two strong democracies in Asia and, considering China’s ascent, both the countries should lay the foundations of a strong strategic partnership. Japan’s advanced technologies and India’s growing labour market could also combine to help the development of India’s inadequate infrastructure and catalyse Japan’s revival. The latter currently battles serious problems, like escalating public debt. It is imperative for both the countries to forge healthy ties for a balanced Asian order.
— Inakshi Walia
Dhenkanal