The Hindu : 'Lawless lathi'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 05, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

'Lawless lathi'

Sir, — Your Editorial `Lawless lathi'( May 2 ) rightly observes that the `Hindutva' trident was just an excuse for the Rashtriya Janata Dal to wield the lathi. It is also true that the RJD chief, Laloo Prasad Yadav, has further vitiated the political climate in Bihar. The lathi army only showed the open defiance of law and order in the State which has the dubious distinction of lawlessness and frequent acts of `political revenge'. Laloo and his men took the entire city of Patna for a ride.

This lawlessness further aggravates during election time. Booth capturing, tearing of ballot papers and threatening voters are common features.

The Chief Minister, Rabri Devi's call to the party cadre to use the lathi to `protect' polling booths speaks volumes of the likely scenario. Are Laloo Yadav and Rabri Devi above the law of the land?

S.K. Gupta,
New Delhi

* * *

Sir, — Indian politics has touched an all-time low following Laloo Yadav's lathi rally. There is an urgent need for self-introspection. We have seen so many rallies, movements and demonstrations like the Quit India movement and the Dandi march before 1947. We have ended up with danda (lathi) rally, where unparliamentary words were used to provoke the Opposition parties.

Ours is the world's largest democracy and our politicians should behave properly so that we could set an example for other countries.

Fahad Hussain,
Aligarh, U.P.

* * *

Sir, — The lathi rally finally ended on a happy note for the RJD as a large number of people took over Patna. The organisers gave the rallyists a good reception, good food and entertainment.

Though it rained, it did not dampen the spirits of these people and the commander of the rally, Laloo Prasad Yadav. However, it was a difficult day for the people of Patna as their movements were restricted.

Money was spent like water to make sure that the rallyists had no problem. Unfortunately, these rallyists, mostly from remote villages, hardly know that the money which is supposed to give them drinking water and basic facilities like roads is being spent on such occasions.

I dream of the day when `kalam (pen) rally' will be called. It will be a big victory for the people of India who hope for a better future under the leadership of politicians who cannot see beyond filling their pockets.

Md. Yusuf,
Patna

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