:: Letters to Editor

Isolate the naxals

Oct 25 : Sir, Naxalites appear to have driven home the point that there is widespread hatred and mistrust about politicians and government officials amongst the people, particularly the lower income group. The whole country recognises that corrupt politicians and officials are the prime cause of all the social problems and inequalities. Otherwise, the atrocities committed by the Maoist revolutionaries would have generated widespread condemnation and revulsion. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should see the ground realities and echo the mood of the people by strongly condemning corrupt politicians and officials, and taking rigorous steps against them. He should do this as early as possible so that the confidence of the people in the political system and the government is restored and the Maoists are isolated and prevented from sparking social unrest.

N.S. Venkataraman

Via email

Infighting hit the opposite

Sir, The Maharashtra Assembly election results appear to be similar to that of the Lok Sabha result insofar as the Opposition is concerned. The BJP-led NDA suffered from internal squabbles and lost the chance of coming back to power. Similarly, in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena-BJP combine were very confident of clinching power but the rivalry between the two Thackeray cousins made the voters think twice. The rebels too would have learned the lesson that voters are more interested in a party winning the election. After all, what can Independents do without any party backing?

S. Kumar

Via email

Clipping hamas’ wings

Sir, This is with reference to the article Gaza report dents Israel’s immunity (October 22) by S. Nihal Singh. His views supporting the Goldstone report would have few takers in India. It is biased against Israel and is loaded with distorted facts. If its recommendations are accepted, not only Hamas but also the Lebanon-based Hezbollah, backed by Iran, will be encouraged. They have questioned Israel’s right to exist. Rather than add fuel to fire, the Arab countries led by Egypt would do well to help in the re-unification of Gaza and the West Bank, and see to it that Hamas’ wings are clipped in the interest of peace in West Asia.

Sharad C. Misra

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Jairam ramesh is dead wrong

Sir, It was shocking to see the statement of environment minister Jairam Ramesh that India should stand outside the Kyoto Protocol and accept mandatory emission cuts. It appears these days we don’t mind accepting the slavery of the West. It is absolutely wrong to say that India is contributing to climate change and global warming. By the standards of the industrialised world, its emission rates are negligible.

Seturam Aspari

Via email

The need is development

Sir, The Congress-NCP win in Maharashtra is a matter of credit for the two parties. The results were more or less on the pattern of popular guestimates. The winners carry the responsibility of better governance for the overall development of Maharashtra. Ignoring this would be a breach of trust for the electorate. Opposition parties should support developmental activities instead of putting road-blocks in their path.

A.R.K. Pillai

Jogeshwari East, Mumbai