With reference to Dilip Cherian’s Dilli ka Babu’s snippet titled Action unfolds? (Feb. 5), it seems that the troubles and infighting at Prasar Bharati are symptomatic of the general lack of governance which has afflicted the UPA government. As has been vividly brought out in the 2G scam, a systemic rot is eating away at our public institutions. What is urgently required is a firm hand at the top. But one wonders whether anyone in the government is up for the challenge?
Amber Khanna
Via email

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Scams & scamsters
The Supreme Court’s order canceling 122 2G spectrum licences has sent out a clear message that a “zero tolerance” approach would be adopted if laws are “tweaked” to favour any individual, corporate or political party. The court indicted former communications minister A. Raja for manipulating the issuance of licences by ordering that the licences be auctioned in 22 circles. It is sad that at a time when the country should have focused on long-term development goals, our ministers are fighting hard to clear their names in various scams and scandals.
S.P. Jha
Via email

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Threatening words
Thanks to votebank politics, some “fringe elements” in our society have discovered that they have the power to infringe upon the majority’s free speech and thought. First it was Salman Rushdie’s “eviction” from the Jaipur Literature Festival, and then Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen’s book was stopped from being released at the Kolkata Book Fair. It is sad that in both these incidents the state governments caved in to threats from thugs instead of taking a “constitutional” stand and protecting the true spirit of our democracy.
Subhajit Chandra
New Delhi