Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Competitive politics

Our political leaders have once again proved that they are good politicians. On the pretext of protesting the MNS violence against north Indians in Mumbai, a race to resign has started in Bihar with every party bent on outdoing the other. Our country has had Prime Ministers from the north for most part but Uttar Pradesh and Bihar lag behind the other States in almost every sphere. In the present crisis too, the Centre and the Maharashtra government did nothing to stop the MNS. Nor did the BJP say anything against the MNS or the Shiv Sena. With the matter heating up, the JD(U) and the RJD are daring each other to act. Amid all this, Raj Thackeray gets all the publicity he longed for.

N. Narendra,

Visakhapatnam

By echoing MNS leader Raj Thackeray’s views, Union Minister Praful Patel has revealed that the Nationalist Congress Party is as narrow-minded and parochial as the MNS. Indeed, the Congress itself stands condemned by its unwillingness to take a stand on the issue. The Centre’s inaction in curbing attacks by Hindu fanatics on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka, by the locals on Bihari labourers and Bodos in Assam and, now, by the Maratha fanatics on north Indians in Maharashtra is shocking.

R.P. Subramanian,

New Delhi

Mr. Patel’s remark — that if there is no “redrawing of balance” between Maharashtrians and others “the people will themselves do it” — is perhaps the most irresponsible statement ever made by a political leader. The freedom to move anywhere in the country and the right to work are guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.

S. Ramakrishnasayee,

Ranipet

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