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When politics becomes too permissive

H K Dua’s front-page editorial, “Permissive times in the nation’s politics”, (April 8), amply illustrated the present unpredictable political scenario. He has laid bare the idiosyncrasies, inconsistency and recalcitrance of our political leaders. Their antics and gimmicks have baffled all the political pundits and pollsters.

This time politicians are making all-out efforts to ensure success. They are exploring all possibilities and are testing various formulas and options. Hard bargaining, hectic lobbying, sensational populist moves, political ragging, and virulent tirades continue unabated.

Ideologies and principles have become sacrificial lambs. The onus is now on the voters. They have to expose and tame the selfish politicians. Keeping in mind the national interests, they have to make the right choice.

O P COUSHIK, Kurukshetra

We have to elect a responsible government to rule the country for next five years. There are few national parties and many regional ones. The question is — why do we have more of regional parties? Precisely, because many regional problems and interstate disputes remain unsolved. No national government dares to solve these problems. Moreover, the development in different states is unequal.

No national party ever thinks of developing the country as a whole. Regional party leaders promise to solve regional problems and are preferred by the voters. If the national parties looked into regional disputes and provided equitable development and opportunities, the number of regional parties would be considerably reduced.

KHAZAN SINGH, Kapurthala

III

Mr Dua’s editorial was a comprehensive analysis and a thoughtful interpretation of the present democratic set-up of our country. Some of his reflective ideas were worth pondering over.

Nevertheless, one cannot do without wondering about his statement: “The remedy lies not with politicians, but clearly with the people. They should reject the candidates who are known to be corrupt or have a history of crime to adorn their CVs.” Whom can one expect to be so discerning? Majority of our voters are those who can’t even dream of getting a bucketful of drinking water, don’t have a roof over their heads, don’t know what a school is? So, expecting them to be prudent is asking for too much.

DR GURMEET SINGH MAAN,

Head, Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, Punjabi University, Patiala

Protect environment
Noted environmentalist Medha Patkar addressed a rally (news report “ Himalayan ecology: Patkar promises to fight for displaced persons’ rights” by Pratibha Chauhan, April 10) organised by the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan Samiti at Bilaspur to protest against setting up of big power projects, cement plants and special economic zones. Top priority should be given to environmental protection. It is futile to sermonise political parties, as their one-point agenda is to grab power.
Bigger dams do harm the environment. Climate change scientists report that hydropower can emit more green house gases than fossil fuels. It will be wise to encourage mini-power plants to avoid mindless change of land use and displacement of families.
As the rural population depends on forests for food, fuels, fodder and fibre, participatory forest management is the need of the hour. Plantations contribute to ecological benefits in terms of arresting top-soil erosion and enabling greater ground water recharge.
Himachal Pradesh can become an impressive model of environmental protection only if the bio-carbon project mooted by the state government to treat 12,000 hectares of degraded forestland in 281 gram panchayats with plantation of broad-leaved trees is honestly and speedily implemented. The policy of power generation and setting up of big projects needs to be suitably amended.
K B RALHAN, Chief Advisor, Palampur Welfare & Environment Protection Forum, Palampur

Crumbling Pakistan

Pakistan, we are told, is crumbling and requires help. The Taliban has slowly and surely spread its wings. Pakistan is not ready to stop the infiltration of jihadi forces in India. This once again brings up the issue — is everlasting peace possible with Pakistan? Can it honour any agreement? Both India and the world have to be forever vigilant as the tentacles of the rabid Taliban are spreading. The violent acts in Pakistan prove that the Taliban is growing stronger and more brazen by the day.

UDITA AGRAWAL, New Delhi