write the letter to the editor of The Tribune about your opinion on nationalism also comment about the present rights in Delhi
Answers
Answer:The whole anti-CAA protest has been hijacked by political elements and organisations with questionable records. The recent ED revelations about the dubious transactions connecting the PFI with violent protest are going to jeopardise the pro-protest sentiment among non-Muslim communities. Although such protests bring the democratic ethos of right to freedom of speech and right to dissent to life, but blocking roads, damaging public property, using provocative statements at rallies, and calls for ‘intifada inquilab’ harms the secular fabric and communal harmony of the nation.
Bharat Bhushan, Fatehabad
Loose cannons
Statements by BJP leaders are becoming dirtier each passing day. Modi spoke about ahinsa in Mann ki Baat, but at the ground level, the exact opposite is happening under his nose. The latest is from a UP minister saying that anti-nationals will be shot like dogs. Earlier he said those speaking against Modi and Yogi will be buried alive. It seems that there is no authority left in this country that can stop this nuisance. Once for all they should make clear the definition of anti-nationals and traitors. Or do we suppose that whoever speaks against their policies/ ideology is an anti-national?
Bhupinder Kochhar, by mail
Is that all EC can do?
The ridiculously undesirable statements of Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma are a matter of shame. The former has been banned from electioneering for 72 hours and the latter has been banned for 96 hours. It is more agonising that Thakur is a minister and Verma is a BJP MP. Is it all that we expect from the Election Commission? They will be seen sitting by the side of our Home Minister at election meetings. It is most disappointing that the PM is not speaking even a word about it.
SL Kataria, by mail
Take stern action
The EC has ordered the removal of Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma from the list of star campaigners of the BJP. This is a good step as the quality of language in our politics is getting worse day by day. Politicians of almost every party are using abusive language for one another, and if the EC will not interfere, Indian politics will become a joke. It must take more strict steps against the use of foul language, so that no politician will dare use objectionable words in public.
Vishesh Goswami, by mail
Spewing venom
Reference to the editorial ‘Reining in hate-mongers’ (Jan 30); in every election, we watch the use of unparliamentary language by our politicians. When anybody approaches the EC with complaints, it seems to take ambiguous and ineffective actions. If a political party does not take stern action, the EC must take legal action against both the party and the accused. If our role models will spread venomous utterances among society, the masses may follow the same incendiary track. The government, our constitutional bodies and the civil society should preserve the holy thread of fraternity and universal brotherhood.
DILWAR ALI MEERAK, TOHANA
SAD politics
Refer to ‘Out of poll fray, SAD to back BJP in Delhi’ (Jan 30); SAD was slighted by the BJP in Haryana elections. In Delhi, too, after having failed to get what they wanted from the saffron party, they walked out of elections on the pretext of expressing their dissent against CAA. Now on what grounds have they decided to back the BJP in Delhi? They should stop fooling Sikhs whose interests they proclaim to safeguard. Sukhbir changes his political colours, because of which many stalwarts of the SAD are deserting him. He treats the party as his fiefdom. He is a visionless leader thrust upon the SAD.
Tarsem S Bumrah, Batala
Indira era notable
Apropos ‘An era that shaped a nation and its polity’ (Jan 12), Indira Gandhi’s tenure was remarkable. She succeeded in taking IMF loan unconditionally and encouraged real investment by discouraging speculative activities. Strategically, the nation was made secure and India became the sixth nuclear power in the world. A successful bid in the space was made. India won the hockey and cricket World Cup, and women made a mark in the Asian Games. Under her well controlled political, social and economic system, India made good progress in agriculture, industry, trade, commerce, exports, services, education, etc. Banks were nationalised. The benefits were reaped by crores of people. Education, employment and health services were given top priority. She aptly handled the Bangladesh crisis when the US was a mute spectator. She took challenging decisions at the cost of her life and saved the nation from disintegration. Above all, freedom and liberty was considered more important than economic emancipation.
NIRMAL KUMAR, PANCHKULA