Opinion No elder statesman

* This refers to ‘Presidential connection’ (IE, January 27). The Republic Day speech made by President Pranab Mukherjee was of an overwhelmingly political colour. By making remarks about “populist anarchy” — a deliberate and indirect negative reference to the AAP — Mukherjee showed he is a political president. But why did he not say a few words in praise of the success of a newborn political party that has changed the mindset of the whole country in a few months? The AAP’s victory is undoubtedly the political story of the year. The president should have talked more about clean politics, which is on everyone’s mind, instead of making uncharitable references to a new player in the ring. The Delhi government under Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has done good work in Delhi in the short span of a month.
— Sanjay Sanel
Ahmedabad

Face the court
* This refers to ‘Rage in Valley: Army clears itself in Pathribal killings’ (IE, January 25). No one is above the law. If army personnel are innocent, why are they hiding behind the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act? They should have the courage to face the Indian civilian judicial system. Or do they not have the confidence that they would come out looking clean if they faced a civilian trial? No one, not even the army, has the right to kill innocent people to satisfy their egos and prejudices. There is no need for laws like AFSPA in a democratic country. It should be abolished immediately.
— S. Faizan Musanna
Lucknow

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Outside job
* When we play by the rules in order to get justice, we usually run up against a dead end or a tortuously long procedure. The AAP hopes to change the way government institutions function. Sometimes, it is necessary to compel government authorities to take cognisance of citizen’s complaints through protest. People have lost faith in government. It is up to outsiders like the AAP to rebuild the rotten structures of governance.
— A. Andrews
Nashik

What’s in a name
* Arvind Kejriwal has reportedly promised to pass his much-publicised Jan Lokpal Bill next month. The recently enacted Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act provides that every state must establish a lokayukta by law. The law doesn’t lay down the broader contours for establishing such an institution. This is a blessing in disguise for Kejriwal. The Centre can’t stop him from passing his Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi. Of course, it will now have to be rechristened the “Jan Lokayukta Bill”.
— Hemant Kumar
Ambala

The Republic Day speech made by President Pranab Mukherjee was of an overwhelmingly political colour.