Date:01/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020154901001.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

A wake-up call

The article “Return to the spirit of 2004” (Jan. 29) was an apt and timely wake-up call to the Grand Old Party. It hit the nail on the head by reminding the Congress which amended the Constitution to declare India a democratic, socialist and secular republic that it is morally obliged to stand by it. Its leaders should realise that the growth of majoritarian forces has been largely due to its failure to combat them.

M. Nyamathullah,

Tiruchi

The article has pointed out that when a government which breaks the law is re-elected, it projects its victory as a justification of its actions on the fallacious premise that the ‘will of the people’ as expressed in the election is superior to the Constitution. The projection of Narendra Modi’s re-election in Gujarat as a vindication of his methods seeks to do just that.

The Congress is yet to respond to this defiant challenge. It must wrest the ground it has lost over the last four years because of the failure of its leadership, strategy, and vision. It must be made clear that the Constitution is not up for grabs by authoritarian and/or communal forces.

Vasantha Surya,

Chennai