Opinion Soldiering on

Chandigarh

State of unreason

• This refers to ‘The rot in Maharashtra’ by Pratap Bhanu Mehta. The Shiv Sena reminds one of Thomas Hobbes’ state of nature. We are living in the world’s largest democracy and this leviathan has no place in it. The Shiv Sena would do well to read the Constitution and understand it. They have no right to divide India. In Maharashtra,they ban scholarly research because it threatens to counter their ideology.

— Baninder Rahi

Gurdaspur

Convince locals

• The urge to unite against the Sena is laudable. But a real difference will be made only if the Maharashtrians who form the majority in Mumbai oppose the Sena’s rhetoric. This will achieve two objectives. First,the Sena will learn the error of such campaigns. Second,nobody in the future,including the MNS,will tread this path for power. But this can be achieved only if the cause appeals to their heads rather than their hearts. The economic benefits from migration,which Mumbai has enjoyed for several decades now,should be put forth to them.

— Prathamesh Joshi

Thane

Funding needs

• The editorial ‘Inflated demands’,pertaining to the MPLADS funds was timely and excellent. The concern about the scheme has been substantiated by the Second Administrative Reforms Committee headed by the Union law minister,Veerappa Moily,which has recommended the scrapping of the scheme. It would be appropriate if this issue is decided after a Parliament debate. The sooner we realise that proper implementation of existing schemes and the utilisation of funds under such schemes are more important than new schemes for the same problems,the better.

— M.P. Yadav

Gurgaon