It remains to be seen whether Arvind Kejriwal is a tainted crusader or a political martyr (‘Broom, bottle and a capital battle’, April 14). Kejriwal is not corrupt. Yes, he must have sought favours for the AAP for certain policy decisions, but which politician wouldn’t do that? In fact, most political funds are untraceable. And the BJP has received 90 per cent of all corporate donations. Isn’t that a cause for concern?
There is more to Kejriwal’s arrest than meets the eye. He should not have rubbed a few influential political opponents the wrong way. There are some who say that Kejriwal was spying on some BJP leaders and Central government officials. And that the arrest was in the making for some time now. If Kejriwal is not released soon, people would say there is some truth to the charges. The AAP and its leaders cannot always bank on public sympathy.
Suraj Khattar,
On email.
Kejriwal’s arrest will backfire. The BJP is feeling threatened by the rise of the AAP in many north Indians states, and that is why they got its supremo arrested. Not just Delhi and Punjab, the AAP will come to power in Gujarat and Goa as well. Today, it is clear to all that the CBI and the ED are working at the behest of the Union government. They are being used blatantly to target the opposition and topple governments in non BJP-ruled states, which is shameful for a thriving democracy.
Nandagopal Valsan,
On email.
Kejriwal will continue to remain in jail. I agree with Anna Hazare that Kejriwal’s goal was not the nation’s development, but acquiring power and status. I lost respect for Kejriwal the day he announced a political party. I started feeling suspicious of the man when eminent people left his party. For they must have felt that the AAP was heavily centralised around Kejriwal.
Vandana Naidu,
On email.
Spot on about Katchatheevu
Congratulations to R. Prasannan for an excellent piece on Katchatheevu (‘Catch in Katchatheevu’, April 14). He has brilliantly analysed the sensitive subject.
It seems that the whole thing has been raked up with the purpose of maligning the Congress and placing ex-prime minister Indira Gandhi in poor light for her ‘mishandling the matter’. Prasannan hit the nail on the head when he questioned S. Jaishankar and the BJP for not raising the issue even once in the last 10 years.
By merely stating that Indira gave away the islet to Sri Lanka and being silent on its next move, the government is confusing everyone. Are we going to make this an issue and fight with Sri Lanka? Surely, it is high time the government focused on other important problems and tried to solve them.
V. Raghuraman,
On email.
Bharat Ratna for Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh goes into history as a reformer of economic policies, an intellect endowed with humility, an unassuming leader who delivered. He was revered and looked up to for advice by all world leaders (‘Sing the praises of Singh’, April 14).
As a statesman par excellence, Singh deserves to be honoured with Bharat Ratna.
Tharcius S. Fernando,
On email.
A major military power
The interview with Rajnath Singh was mind-boggling. By appearance, Singh looks calm, quiet and composed. But he is firm on his principles. Singh is leading the process of making India a major military power through full spectrum self-sufficiency (‘People are casting their votes only in Modi’s name’, April 7).
R.V. Baskaran,
On email.
Healthy bench strength
Senior players past their prime should play in important matches only. And the BCCI should nurture young talent every now and then. Only then will we have more players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (‘League for a leap’, April 7) Wicket-keeping continues to be a grey area in the shortest version of the game, though Dhruv Jurel has shown some promise in Test matches.
To put up a stellar show, the BCCI needs to think in terms of a heathy bench strength and rotation of talent to give newcomers a welcome space to germinate into reliable options.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Compensate Saibaba
After reading your story on G.N. Saibaba I came to know that he was subjected to inhuman torture in jail, even though he is physically challenged (‘Love across fibreglass’, April 7). He was subjected to state torture despite being innocent, as declared by the Bombay High Court. It goes on to say how people are tortured in the country for speaking out against the anti-people policies of the Central government.
Saibaba should be given adequate compensation. He should get free treatment in hospitals.
Krishnaq Muhuri,
On email.
Include Modi
Shashi Tharoor reflected the sentiments of middle-class Indians and their ability to work hard (‘Hard work and the heights’, April 7). Tharoor appreciated several sports stars and corporate czars. I wish he had included Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For he, too, is a hardworking person.
Honchos of the Congress, not just long ago, had mocked Modi as a chaiwala.
Usha Athreya Chandrasekhar,
Mumbai.
Why no Rajiv?
Every week, I jump to find out new, truthful, objective analysis in THE WEEK. Last Word by Amitabh Kant (‘Rise of Indian soft power’, March 31) was meant to praise Narendra Modi. Kant [in the process] has deliberately forgotten to credit Rajiv Gandhi for rise of Indian soft power.
Subhash K. Desai,
On email.