Letters to the editor: Threat to democracy

This refers to ‘SC’s advice to PM, CMs: don’t induct “tainted” as ministers’ (IE, August 28). The advice of the Supreme Court to the prime minister and chief ministers not to induct persons chargesheeted for criminal offences into cabinet is timely and deserves to be implemented. Politics has slowly been criminalised over the last few decades. This is taking a heavy toll on governance and development. To my mind, there is no doubt that this is a grave threat to our democracy. This trend is perhaps the major reason for the public’s growing cynicism about the political class. Something needs to be done about this as soon as possible.

— M. Jeyaram Sholavandan
The SC’s advice to the PM and CMs is welcome. By exhibiting remarkable restraint, the court has preempted finger-wagging about judicial overreach. In the past, the apex court has tried to set right the many wrongs of government. But, in response, there were accusations that the judiciary was usurping the power of the executive and the legislature. The SC’s latest observation puts the ball in the government’s court. As head of the executive, the prime minister cannot abdicate his responsibility to ensure that the government is free of tainted ministers. The PM and CMs have some thinking to do.

— Ganapathi Bhat Akola

 

Best of both worlds

This refers to ‘The barefoot government’ by Bunker Roy (IE, August 26). The writer says that locally educated Indians can take care of the country’s problems better than their foreign-educated brothers and sisters. But the truth is the other way around. People with a cosmopolitan outlook and international experience may, in fact, be better placed to suggest how India’s problems can be tackled efficiently. Not every local problem has a local solution. There is no harm in learning from the best of the West and the best of the east at the same time.

— Satwant Kaur Mahilpur

 

RIP, Richard

The legend who told India the history of its freedom struggle though his masterpiece, Gandhi — Richard Attenborough — is sadly no more. His beautiful and touching film will forever remain etched in our minds. Indeed, whenever one thinks of those famous personalities from our history, the characters from Attenborough’s film come to mind. His demise, after having lived a full and long life, marks the end of an era. His great works will continue to inspire many and will be cherished forever.

— P.S. Perumal Pune