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This is an archive article published on December 27, 2011
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Opinion Moulded caste

Shekhar Gupta’s ‘The caste of corruption’ was thought-provoking

The Indian Express

December 27, 2011 01:55 AM IST First published on: Dec 27, 2011 at 01:55 AM IST

Moulded caste

* Shekhar Gupta’s ‘The caste of corruption’ (IE,December 24) was thought-provoking. If corruption charges on persons belonging to the SC,ST and OBC categories are being pursued vigorously while charges against those belonging to the so-called upper castes are not,it needs serious deliberation. However,his mention that Justice Sachar had pointed out that the number of Muslims in Indian jails is higher than their proportionate share of the national population,seems irrelevant in context because what Justice Sachar had probably intended to highlight was that the said situation is due to the lopsided development of the Muslim community.

— P.R.A. Nair,New Delhi

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* This refers to ‘The caste of corruption’. Caste plays a huge role in our politics. Now,if it has forced Team Anna to toe the same line,it proves no one can rise above caste politics. Team Anna also fears if they speak against caste inclusion in the Lokpal bill,they might lose support.

— Bal Govind,Noida

Vox mobuli?

* This refers to the editorial ‘Satyagraha vs nuisance’ (IE,December 26). One wonders if it’s indeed reasonable to say nobody should canvass on a bill when it has already been presented in Parliament. When a case is being argued in court,it can do without discussions outside. In the case of a bill,the people should be free to voice their views in a democracy.

— Kishor Kulkarni,Mumbai

Weak law

* A toothless Lokpal bill will only perpetuate corruption. Anna Hazare is being forced to renew his agitation again. For some strange reason,the media is now against him. This time round,the courts may come down on him too. If his agitation fizzles out,the corrupt will get a shot in the arm.

— V. Rajalakshmi,Mumbai

Being mai-baap

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* The mai-baap syndrome that obligates the state to feed the poor and provide reservations to the backward and the minorities are both leaky endeavours. About the latter,I should know as an ex-civil supplies inspector. The idea that the state should feed the poor has been exploded by Dipali Rastogi (‘Patronising the poor,in perpetuity’,IE,December 23) and the need for reservations by Surjit S. Bhalla (‘No Lokpal,no reservations’,IE,December 24). Tavleen Singh’s column on December 25 was another eye-opener. Instead of feeding the poor in perpetuity,they should be taught how to earn their living with dignity. Being fed by the state is humiliating. So is working in an office or studying at an institution against a reserved seat. Politicians should let go of their belief in being mai-baap. Their blindness is caused by vote-bank politics.

— V.N. Arora,Faridabad