Opinion Wrong means

to solve in different ways. Indian democracy is no exception,nor is the consternation over corruption unjust. But there seems something deeply coercive about fasting unto death. It is blackmail to force an elected government to adopt specific means. No one would question the need for a time-bound redress of complaints and timely delivery of justice,nor would the demand be unjustified that all investigation be insulated from political pressure.

But should the complainant force the authorities to adopt his/ her “suggested means” of redress? One may be a moralist and an eminent social reformer,but does any of these labels make one infallible and authorise

the condemnation of all authority and administration? Let Anna Hazare understand that raising an issue and protesting may be democratic,but our personal virtues don’t entitle us to dictate policy to representative government. His solution is riddled with more problems than it attempts to resolve.

— Ved Guliani

Hisar

For one and all

Apropos the editorial ‘They,the people’ (IE,April 7),though no one can thrust his/ her views on the government by fasting unto death,such actions become all the more necessary if the government continues to ignore corruption. The government needs to take note of this and act immediately. The Lokpal should be empowered to book guilty politicians,even the prime minister.

— R.K. Kapoor

Chandigarh

This way out

Anna Hazare’s fast is being blown out of proportion. Nobody opposes his fight against corruption,but the path he has chosen. His demand that the proposed Jan Lokpal bill be drafted by a joint committee comprising the government’s and his representatives sounds strange and contrary to the principles of parliamentary democracy. Even if it is accepted for argument’s sake that Hazare’s comrades are included in the committee,how and in what manner will they be deemed to represent the people? It is true that corruption has scaled scary heights. To fight it,people should show their strength at the time of election and throw out the corrupt.

— Anil B. Naik

Aurangabad

Saving the one day

Much has been said and written on the World Cup victory. The players have been glorified into a pantheon of demigods. They’ll forever be remembered as the men who got us the Cup. A whole new generation of budding cricketers would want to emulate them. They have done the 50-over format a great favour by keeping it relevant in the age of Twenty20.

— Karan Thakur

New Delhi

Teacher?

This refers to ‘Over 8,000 Bihar teachers fail class V test’ (IE,April 8). Nothing could be more shameful than this. Twenty candidates in the test were found using unfair means. What signal does this send to students and society? We all believe Bihar has changed,but Nitish Kumar has a long way to go.

— Bal Govind Noida