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It’s politicians who need POTA

The recent bomb blasts in Bangalore and cities of Gujarat again gave an occasion to the BJP leaders to raise their voice for the re-imposing of POTA. One could not understand their logic behind this. When Gujarat was burning for months and (politically) organised riots were given a free hand to suppress a particular community, then L.K. Advani was Home Minister of the country. Why did he not impose POTA on the rioters who killed thousands of innocent people in Gujarat?

When one can easily identify the killers, why doesn’t the law take its course? In broad daylight, in front of law and order machinery hooligans burnt the property and killed the people. When victims fail to get justice, (some) become tools in the hands of militants.

So I would like to tell Advanis of this country not to use different yardsticks. Consider all the communities of this country as Indians. Their classification according to religion for political mileage, will definitely divide the nation, which is not in the interest of the Indian state. You still have time; change your attitude. First impose POTA on politicians who patronise riots and rioters and then on terrorists.

BHUPINDER SINGH PARMAR, Jalandhar

II

Only a few days ago the Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi blamed the UPA government for the drought in Gujarat. People only laugh. Now BJP’s senior leader Sushma Swaraj who once threatened to shave her head and wear a white sari if Sonia Gandhi became the country’s Prime Minister, said that the Centre had organised the Bangalore and Ahmedabad blasts as “a conspiracy to divert attention from the cash-for-vote scandal” (Cong, BJP indulge in mud-slinging: July 29) Though Sushma said the “truth” about the blasts “will come out in a few days” but the charges she had made at a formal news conference, should be substantiated with proof. Without any proof the mischievous allegation is totally outrageous and unacceptable.

After Sushma Swaraj’s opinion it is clear that the BJP still can’t digest the fact that it lost the trust vote.

BIDYUT KUMAR CHATTERJEE, Faridabad

RTI Act It refers to the curious matter given special Appeal Number CIC/TEMP/ 2008/001 now before the Central Information Commission wherein the Chief Information Commissioner has to decide if elected representatives receiving pay and perks from the public exchequer are accountable to the Right To Information Act. The CIC has rightly decided to issue a public notice to all concerned to present their case if they so desire. While the idea of having all these persons accountable under the RTI Act is ideal and rather necessary, yet anticipated large-scale misuse can lead to a chaotic situation where rival political groups may shower a flood of RTI petitions on parliamentarians and others elected on ticket of opposite party to embarrass opponents, resulting in making a mockery of the RTI Act. Some publicity-seeking petitioners can get even personalities requiring high security to parade before the Commission. A way out can be to get elected representatives accountable through secretariats of bodies to which they are elected. Information Division of these bodies should be equipped with additional staff. In case some legislator etc does not respond well to queries routed through the secretariat, then the Appellate Authority at legislative body concerned may report the matter to the Speaker for permitting the petitioner to approach the Central Information Commission. SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL, Delhi

A great loss

With the death of Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet the country has lost a great freedom fighter and patriot , the working class a great leader and the Communist Party (Marxist) a great patriarch.

He devoted his entire life to the cause of the downtrodden. But he was a practical communist as you put it in your editorial on August 2. He was the architect of the UPA Government with the support of the Left.

Certain sections of the populace all over the world were jealous that the Left has so much influence on the Indian Government for the first time since Independence. Alas! his successors lost all this in a jiffy with their ill- decided tactics.

Had Comrade Surjeet been active the rupture between the UPA and the Left could have been avoided as you wrote in your editorial.

AMARJIT SINGH GORAYA, GRIFFITH NSW

II

Comrade Surjeet belonged to Bundala village in Jalandhar district. Its name must be changed to Harkishan Singh Surjeetwala as a mark of respect.

NARINDER SINGH, Chandigarh

III

Harkishan Singh Surjeet was a great patriotic revolutionary communist leader. He was a leader with a vision of a secular and socialist India. He lived a true communist life dedicating selfless service for the upliftment of the downtrodden, liberation of women and for the rights of the working class.

He fought hard for the cause of a classless society free of exploitation. He will be ever remembered for his contributions to fight communalism and for peace in the country. Surjeet’s death is a loss not only to the country but to the entire world.

RAJESH KRISHAN, Chandigarh