Opinion Talk to us
In 1991,several prominent Congress leaders had reservations about Manmohan Singhs radical proposals.
* Apropos Reform and resistance (IE,August 2). In 1991,several prominent Congress leaders had reservations about Manmohan Singhs radical proposals. The then prime minister,Narasimha Rao,stood firmly behind him. Today,Singh himself is PM. He is the head of the executive. If the Congress does not support him on his reform agenda,or if allied parties do not agree with his proposals,he should seek a fresh mandate from the people. A leader who values national interest above all else will not mind taking such risks. But a party whose primary goal is to cling to power at all costs will not take such chances. Its all very well for Singh to say there needs to be a consensus. As the head of the executive,he is the one who needs to build that consensus. It might be a good idea for him to take the Indian people into confidence a little more often.
M.K. Mahapatra
Article of faith
* This refers to MP drops order on Gita in Urdu schools (IE,August 7). The decision to withdraw the notification to teach verses from the Bhagawad Gita in Urdu schools seems to have been taken in haste. I do not believe the proposal to include the Gita in the curriculum was tantamount to saffronising education. In a truly secular and multicultural society,religious texts should be viewed as shared culture. It would be great if the Koran could also be included in the curriculum,so that children of different faiths can develop an understanding of each others religions.
Manzar Imam
New Delhi
Double standards
* This refers to A question to Modi (IE,August 9). The double standards of the BJP have rightly been outlined. At the Centre,it talks about the need for a strong lokpal and autonomy of institutions. It frequently disrupts Parliament on these issues. But in Gujarat,the BJP rails against a strong lokayukta. Many similar incidents can be cited,incidents where Narendra Modi suppressed institutions simply because he didnt like the person in charge. The fact that Gujarat has gone without a lokayukta for such a long time lays bare the hollowness of Modis claims to being anti-corruption and pro-good-governance. We must seriously stop and reconsider whether Modi,who aspires to be our PM,is capable of functioning in a democratic,rule-based manner. This episode tells us a sad story of a party that wrongly claims to be different from the rest.
Amit Bhandari
New Delhi
Tough stance
* Apropos All fall down (IE,August 9),the January mutilations of our jawans should have prompted the government to analyse what went wrong with our security systems that such incidents were able to take place. Certain groups from Pakistan seem to be able to cross the LoC,unseen and unheard,complete their lethal operations,and return unhurt. Our armed forces must consider whether there are further precautions that our government can take to better equip our soldiers. The Pakistan governments (or may be it is their armys) policy of sponsoring terrorism is unlikely to change on its own. A strong message must be sent.
S.C. Vaid
New Delhi
Share
