Imran Khan’s brazen rejection of the no-confidence motion against his government can only be seen as a desperate effort to cling on to power at any cost (‘Man with a plan’, April 17).
For a nation that has had a turbulent tryst with democracy, the latest development should come as no surprise.
B. Suresh Kumar,
On email.
It is an open secret that all prime ministers in Pakistan are just puppets in the hands of its army. All of them rake up Kashmir, and are dependent on China. If any leader in Pakistan tries to write his/her own script, he/she will be shown the door—be it the flamboyant Khan or the elite Benazir Bhutto.
India need not have any hopes that the person who replaced Khan [Shehbaz Sharif] would be any better. Some things in Pakistan will never change.
Dilip Gurjar,
On email.
Khan’s anti-US rhetoric and laudation of India riled the Pakistan army, which still hankers for financial assistance from the US, apparently to contain the Taliban.
Khan might have had some vision to tide over the worsening economic crisis in Pakistan, but his naive political understanding, coupled with non-cooperation from sections of the establishment, made the task tough.
Devendra Awasthi,
On email.
It is heartening to note that the Pakistan army has had no role in the power struggle there; this is a good sign for democracy in that country. Most Islamic nations in the world are ruled by psychopaths who used religion as a cover.
Everything that is happening in the Indian subcontinent is a cause for concern for India.
Nagesh S. Adiga,
On email.
Handle with care
A super investigative agency replacing multiple central institutions is akin to merging all states in the country into one state (‘One India; one detective?’, April 17). For this to happen, it calls for extraordinary vision, more resources and time.
Still, merger of two institutions can be explored. For that to happen, ensuring political non-interference, transparency and accountability is the key.
P.V. Prakash,
On email.
Control the damage
Every time action is taken against families of high-profile politicians, there are some who raise a hue and cry. Mostly, this is to browbeat agencies or stall such actions (‘Tiger, cornered’, April 17). Remember how goons smashed Kangana Ranaut’s house and office at a political party’s behest.
The governments in the country are run as per provisions of the Constitution, and if Uddhav Thackeray feels that injustice is being meted out to him, he can seek relief from higher courts. Threatening, on the other hand, is tantamount to disregarding constitutional provisions.
The Central government must not interfere in the working of the Enforcement Directorate. It should be ensured that action is taken against erring individuals after proper ground work. When matters take political colour, it would be desirable if the ED briefs the media and apprises people about facts of the case, so that no accused can seek sympathy from the masses.
Surinder Sharma,
On email.
Go in-depth
Your detailed report on the communal divide in Karnataka made for an informative read (‘On a knife-edge’. April 17). Prathima Nandakumar has put forth views of both sides candidly, but she has failed to analyse the gamut of activities that are taking shape rapidly.
She concluded, “The garden of peace, meanwhile, is being infiltrated by weeds of hate.” Opinions from both sides would have given insight over the root cause of the unrest.
C. Venkatesh,
Bengaluru.
Let’s cycle
Lieutenant General Anil Puri uses the bicycle for all personal work within a 5km radius. I feel this is something many of us can emulate (‘Bicycle kick’, April 17). Of late, there is a growing interest in cycling, and cycling clubs have mushroomed even in small towns. It will be of multiple benefits to both individuals and society if cycles replace fuel-guzzling motor vehicles for short distances.
Apart from being a form of exercise, cycling will reduce traffic and congestion on roads.
P. Prasand Thampy,
On email.
Cycling is an excellent way to keep fit, ease tension of daily life, and be grounded, with a human touch. Cycling reduces road accidents and improves environment.
Should we not add spice to life by cycling and feel the movement of our limbs, expansion of our lungs, beating of our hearts, and take a whiff of fresh air?
R.D. Singh,
On email.
Check your facts
As an MP of the BJP, it is quite natural that Meenakshi Lekhi will support her government’s decision to merge the corporations of Delhi (‘Merging Delhi corporations’, April 17). But she should have thought about basic arithmetic to make her argument a little more plausible.
How can a state government with an annual budget of Rs7,500 crore or so give Rs40,561 crore to its corporations?
Lekhi said the BJP won the highest number of seats in previous elections and it is the trust of citizens of Delhi that will bring the party back to power. True, but has any of the three Municipal Corporations of Delhi ever passed any resolution for unification, or did the BJP object to trifurcate the MCD by the UPA government in 2012? Lekhi should realise that if the AAP wins the MCD elections, which is almost certain, the fund allocation will go to the AAP only.
With all the name calling and allegations of terrorist link about Kejriwal, Lekhi’s party could not defeat the AAP in the assembly elections in Delhi. It was the BJP that was ignominiously defeated.
V.R. Vijayaraghavan,
On email.