Wrong to compare
Refer to ‘Savarkar & apologies’ (Nous Indica); caste in India is not only the basic social identity of the people but also their class. Rahul’s inadvertent attack on people with the Modi surname and his refusal to apologise may alienate OBC voters. The times of Mahatma Gandhi and Savarkar were different. They had to face barbaric colonial rulers and a ruthless police. We should salute all those who participated in the freedom struggle and went to jail. It is true that a few of them turned into renegades under police torture and repression. We need not compare each of them with our great national heroes like Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose and Gandhi. Rahul will have to forego all privileges of parliamentary politics if he wishes to be another Gandhi or Jayaprakash Narayan. They never contested elections or enjoyed the fruits of power politics.
RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, by mail
Unaware of facts
Rahul Gandhi is not fully aware of his party’s historical facts (‘Savarkar & apologies’; Nous Indica). Had he been well acquainted with facts, he could have avoided the backlash on his remarks against Savarkar. His remarks may have an adverse impact on the party’s relations with the Shiv Sena at a time when Opposition parties are trying to forge unity. His remarks in London that Sikhs were treated like second-class citizens in India were also in poor taste. He needs to think before he speaks.
Ravinder Singh, Jalandhar
Mockery of Parliament
Reference to ‘Inexcusable washout’; the recently concluded Budget Session ended on a bitter note. The session was a washout, with the Opposition and the BJP levelling charges at each other. Both Houses registered low productivity — around 34 per cent in the Lok Sabha and 24 per cent in the Rajya Sabha — in the Budget session. It was a wastage of precious time and taxpayers’ money, and a mockery of Parliament. In future, leaders of all political parties must take a serious note of such happenings.
Satish Sharma Majra, Kaithal
Stalling proceedings
Refer to ‘Inexcusable washout’; the second half of the Budget Session remained embroiled in two issues: the Opposition’s demand for a JPC probe into the Adani row and the BJP’s demand for an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Indian democracy. Neither happened. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha’s productivity of 5.29 per cent and 6.4 per cent, respectively, in the second half of the Budget session is a cruel joke on voters who had elected MPs to discuss issues of their interest. Our MPs must understand that a poor country like India cannot afford the luxury of paying them hefty salaries and allowances for not transacting any business in Parliament.
CS MANN, UNA
Avalanche warnings
Apropos of ‘Sikkim avalanche’; deployment of the NDRF cannot be of much help, because the window of survival is very small after an avalanche strikes. The Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment at Manali functions under the DRDO and has its Observation Posts at various locations in the Himalayas. It issues regular avalanche warnings which need to be communicated expeditiously to the defence and civilian authorities. Warnings should be heeded to prevent such mishaps. The respective states, too, should interpose themselves and appoint a single point of contact to control movement to such vulnerable locations.
Col Prakash Bhatt (Retd), Noida
Religion part of politics
Though it is said that religion and politics should never be mixed, the truth is that religion is an integral part of politics, especially in our country where diverse religions play an active part in politics (‘Catholic churches not to enter political arena’). Any religion’s sole aim is propagation of religion and social work. Churches deserve accolades for refusing to enter the political arena. But there are many issues related with different religions which cannot be resolved without political support. Therefore, religion has become an integral part of politics in India. This phenomenon is catastrophic as in such a setup, people vote for candidates of their religion, which defeats the idea of democracy. Elections are held to elect candidates who can work for society selflessly. There is a dire need to keep religion away from politics.
Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur
Fire safety in high-rises
High-rise buildings, especially residential apartments, are mushrooming in the vicinity of the tricity, but neither government agencies nor buildings have cranes to deal with a fire mishap. While approving building plans, the government should make it mandatory for builders to provide a stand-by crane on the premises. Alternatively, two adjoining societies can be clubbed to make such arrangements.
GOBIND AHUJA, CHANDIGARH
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