The choice of Droupadi Murmu as the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Alliance was calculated and positive; we are going to have a president from the tribal community for the first time (‘Droupadi’s Indraprastha’, July 3). From the moment Murmu’s name was revealed it was clear that no other candidate could match her.
The BJP, notwithstanding its shortcomings on several fronts like demonetisation and the farm laws, has consolidated its position as a major national party in the true sense of the term. Its electoral base has expanded to all social groups in an effective way.
THE WEEK deserves praise for honouring the respectable Murmu with a cover story, well before she becomes the constitutional head of the Republic of India.
Vijay Singh Adhikari,
On email.
Murmu belongs to a tribal community. Though she is adequately educated, Murmu had to go through great struggle in her life. She has vast experience in politics, is spiritually inclined, and is a wonderful humanitarian.
In all certainty, Murmu is going to be the next president of India. If Mahatma Gandhi were alive, he would have been delighted at Murmu’s elevation.
Sanath Kumar T.S.,
On email.
Murmu’s nomination is an attempt by the BJP to widen its outreach in the eastern states.
With this masterstroke, the BJP can take on board political parties like the BJD and the BSP, whose leaders pose as champions of lower castes and the downtrodden.
But nothing is going to take away the credentials of Murmu, who served as a governor and also proved her mettle as a seasoned administrator in the Odisha government. She has also won an award for best legislator.
C.M. Umanath,
On email.
It was an eye-opener to understand the extent of the powers of the president. The president of India is always presented as a rubber stamp. This presentation often obfuscates and devalues the most prestigious position of the state. The president is not a rubber stamp but a custodian of constitutional values. That position is more crucial in today’s times when we are witnessing the erosion of constitutional values.
The president, who neither reigns nor governs, always has to protect, preserve and safeguard the Constitution.
Through the years India has seen different presidents who explored different niches of their powers, ranging from an aggregator of public grievances to mere rubber stamps.
It is a correct assessment that when political stalwarts occupy the chair of the president, they are capable of making impartial decisions irrespective of their party affiliations.
Afthab Razul S.,
On email.
Good article and illustration
Power Point by Sachidananda Murthy is my favourite column in THE WEEK. It deals with significant topics that are in discussion. The column on the sudden spurt of vacation travel and the Union government looking at trimming its travel budget was crisp and clear (‘Handling the travelling’, July 3).
I also liked the colourful imaging by well-known artist Bhaskaran—it was unique and attractive.
Chellappan Jothi,
Bengaluru.
Remembering Dharma Kumar
Manifesto (July 3) reminded me of a remarkable incident when in protest against the Babri Masjid demolition the great liberal Dharma Kumar took the initiative to draft a statement on the front page of a national daily. It read, “If you are a Hindu, read on. Do you believe that the demolition of the Babri Masjid restored Hindu pride, enhanced national honour, strengthened India? If so, consider the possibility that the act debased Hindu cultlure, shamed the nation across the world, increased the tensions between all communities and so weakened India.”
Taking into account the sequel of events since Nupur Sharma made the comments on the Prophet, we see a manifestation of Kumar’s sentiment.
Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee,
On email.
Address their concerns
Notwithstanding the merits or demerits of the Agnipath scheme, the concerns of the candidates—who were qualified and were waiting for their turn to join the defence forces—were genuine (‘Last Word’, July 3). Not absorbing the already qualified candidates who have invested not only their money but also a lot of time and grit is not justified.
The government should be magnanimous to address the concerns of these poor people.
S.P. Ashta,
On email.
Barkha Dutt is normally critical of the ruling government and it usually reflects in her column. But, this time, she was right in pointing out the high-handedness of the government in denying entry to those men who had successfully cleared the examination and were awaiting enrolment.
I always thought defence officers (serving and retired) are upright and fair-minded. But, in this case, they have hugely disappointed the public by supporting the scheme. I also thought Narendra Modi was unbiased, but he has not been able to understand the plight of these young men.
Mahesh Joshi,
On email.
Shout at the queen
It is clear that Queen Elizabeth II will never hand over the Koh-i-Noor back to us, as it is embedded permanently in the crown (‘Caged in the crown’, July 10). The best that we, the Indians, can do is to remind her about it when she is in India. Let us shout at her, “The diamond is ours. Your robbed it from us.”
This way people of the United Kingdom will feel guilty about their misdeeds.
Jothindra P.L.,
On email.