M A I L B A G

When govt fails to check goonda raj

I read the hard-hitting editorial, “Competitive parochialism: Imbecility of Maharashtra government to blame” (Feb 12). Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are two sides of the same coin in so far as their whipping up parochial and chauvinistic feelings for pursuing partisan ends and one-upmanship is concerned. Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray is the pioneer of this game.

Irrespective of whether or not their parish-pump politics brings them political dividends, it will definitely encourage parties in other states to follow their footsteps. In the process, the unity and integrity of the country will be the first casualty. What will be left of India if every state starts behaving like an independent entity?

Further, with what face are we raising a hue and cry in the case of our NRIs being singled out for a discriminatory treatment by their host countries, when here in India, one state treats people from the other as aliens? Very recently, we went overboard in condemning the alleged maltreatment meted out to Indians in Malaysia.

What is surprising is that both the Maharashtra government and the Centre are dilly-dallying in proceeding against Uddhav and Raj for their actions detrimental to the unity of the country. May be, some political expedience is involved. In politics, vested interests take precedence over principles, morals and ethics.

TARSEM SINGH, New Delhi

II

I strongly condemn the bahaviour of the Thackeray clan. Raj and Uddhav have no right to preach parochialism. Fearing that he will lose his hold over the Marathis following the outbursts of Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray has also joined the chorus against North Indians. This is competitive parochialism at its worst.

Uddhav has reportedly warned the government that if non-Marathis are appointed for the Mumbai airport project, they would be packed off in a parcel and sent back to their states in a cargo plane. This is a disturbing statement and will endanger the nation’s unity and integrity. The Centre must take preventive steps on priority and restrain the Thackeray clan from spreading ill will and fomenting communalism.

While we Indians call ourselves as North Indians, South Indians and North-east Indians, most states have been carved out on linguistic basis. How can we present a united picture before the comity of nations if we ourselves are divided?

S. K. NAYAR, Panchkula

III

Violence has become a way of life for Indians. Whether it is the violence by Raj Thackeray’s goons in Mumbai, Nashik, Pune and Aurangabad or the massacre in West Bengal’s Nandigram, Singur or against Taslima Nasreen’s freedom of expression, violence is commonplace and the authorities are not simply bothered about it.

The vandalism in Mumbai after Raj Thackeray’s outrageous speech against North Indians or any other incident in any part of the country hits the headlines in all newspapers and TV channels. The population of Shining India feels proud in showing their anger. Indian society day by day is becoming barbaric and blood thirsty. Man is ready to break the law and give his own judgement on any matter. This shows the rising intolerance and impatience in young India. People’s faith in the legislature, executive and judiciary seems to be eroding. The civil society is showing signs of restlessness and hopelessness.

Though some top leaders also feel that such kind of acts are a blot on our democracy, with the increasing criminalisation of politics, what else one can expect from them?

ANMOL, Patiala

No cause for despair I read Arun Gandhi’s scintillating piece, “The relevance of Mahatma Gandhi today” (Jan 30). I admire his exploration of Gandhi’s philosophy. Nonetheless, the article seems to give an uneasy impression that it is not difficult to practice it once it is put into perspective. The human situation, I am afraid, is more complicated. The first step towards the salvation of humankind lies in acknowledging the basic fact that the genes are essentially selfish. What makes the scenario messy is that it is not easy to counter this situation. Despite our long tryst with civilisation, rationality that we are able to achieve is but a tip of the iceberg as Freud believed. This I should hasten to add, however, does not amount to cause for despair. Man’s cultural evolution is relatively a very short phenomenon and so we ought to be proud of our achievements. The plea is to recognise the enormity of the task in hand and never to lose focus on the need for constantly developing goals to transcend in human situation. AKHILESH, Birampur (Hoshiapur)

Agrarian tragedy

I read the editorial, “Farm suicides on the rise” (Feb 4). It is a national shame that our farmers, who are toiling to feed us, are taking their own lives because of the government’s wrong policies and callous attitude towards them.

What is the use of the high trajectory of economic growth when the preponderant segment of society suffers from appalling poverty, debt and deprivation?

The loan waiver and low interest loan are only stopgap measures. The government needs to frame a long-term agriculture policy like insuring farmers’ crops against floods, drought and pest attack expeditiously. Any delay or dithering in tackling issues sapping the agriculture sector will not only force us to go abroad with a begging bowl for grains but also aggravate discontent in the rural area leading to serious consequences.

HEMA LANGERI, Hoshiarpur

Honest cop

While returning to Chandigarh from Manali recently, we stopped for a while at the Sundernagar checkpost. My wife noticed that her purse containing cash, cell phone and documents was missing. When I called on my wife’s cell number from my mobile phone, Mr Vijay Pal, a police officer, informed us that the purse was safe and that we could collect it from him. We appreciate his honesty.

PASCAL DANIEL, Teacher, St. Stephen’s School, Chandigarh