Opinion Long road ahead
At last Myanmars military rulers have released pro-democracy crusader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Long road ahead
At last Myanmars military rulers have released pro-democracy crusader Aung San Suu Kyi. Her release is not just a celebration for all those who advocate human rights and democracy but its also when democracy and human rights won over dictatorship. Her release could probably have been secured years ago had China not carried on supporting Myanmars regime. Suu Kyis release should not be interpreted as a sign that democratic reform is close for Myanmar. Moreover,the suspicion arises that after the so-called election,Suu Kyis release was stage-managed to get the international community off the juntas back.
Bidyut K. Chatterjee
Faridabad
PM must answer
Your editorial A tense balance (IE,November 19) is unfair in terming the questioning of the prime minister by the Supreme Court for taking so many months to respond to Subramanian Swamys application for grant of sanction to prosecute former Telecom Minister A. Raja,as well as the CBI taking months to register the case after the matter was brought to the notice of the PM as an unusual and attention-getting move. Those holding public offices are answerable for inordinate delays in disposing of cases referred to offices. The PM cannot be an exception. The apex court did not act on its own but on being approached by Swamy. That is not unusual. It should not be projected as a judiciary-executive face-off. In fact,the SC might have invited criticism had it avoided questioning the PM in the matter.
M.C. Joshi
The editorial A tense balance has reflected the national mood of dismay at Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs straddling the fence for so long even when he was aware of the rule-bending over the 2G spectrum allocation. It is sad that consequently he has squandered his moral capital and put his image of integrity,which is his biggest strength,at risk. This is perhaps the first time in the history of independent India that the apex court had to pass comments on the PMs prolonged inaction and silence on an important public issue,giving the appearance of a judiciary-executive face-off. But who is responsible for this unhappy development? If a cabinet minister blatantly defies the advice of senior colleagues,including the PM,and goes ahead with wayward decisions,misusing his powers against the national interest,who is to blame if not the head of government where the buck finally stops?
M. Ratan
New Delhi
Lacking logic
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh tends to connect anything and everything with the environment. He recently termed fuel-guzzling SUVs criminal. It wont be surprising if he declares a volcano ejecting molten lava and carbon monoxide
criminal. Such statements are often strange and
conspicuous by their lack of a sense of proportion and logic.
C. Koshy John
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