This refers to the reports “Khurshid flaunts photos to show camps for disabled were held,” “Khurshid’s lie has been exposed: Kejriwal,” “Khurshid must go: BJP” and “War of words as Khurshid, TV Today cross swords” (Oct. 15). Únion Law Minister Salman Khurshid’s elaborate press conference to explain the role of the trust headed by him was hardly convincing. In fact, it raises more questions. There was absolutely no need for him to get angry if he is innocent. It is incumbent upon the Khurshids to come clean on all questions raised. The UPA government should order a thorough probe into the affairs of the trust and Mr. Khurshid should be asked to step down from office pending the outcome.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Srirangam
When civil society activists started the anti-corruption movement, they were asked to establish their legitimacy by going political. When one of them plunges into politics and raises specific charges of corruption against a senior minister, he is being pilloried as an opportunist. People are lukewarm to exposés of misuse of power not only because they feel that corruption is something we have to live with, but also because they are sceptical about the course of the law of the land. People have a civic responsibility to support anti-corruption crusaders by lending their support to the efforts to bring wrongdoers before the law. The fight against corruption has to come from outside the system. Public indifference and complacency will encourage the perpetuation of the status quo.
V.N. Mukundarajan,
Thiruvananthapuram
Everyone knows that the main beneficiaries of private trusts in our country are the trustees themselves. The trusts are created basically for accepting funds and other facilities from government and private agencies and individuals in the name of helping different sections of people. When trusts are headed by high profile Ministers at the Centre or in the States or other VVIPs, the flow of funds becomes easy. Many NGOs are no different. The misuse and diversion of funds are the order of the day. It is time the government reviewed its policies on all aspects of trusts and NGOs. If such organisations really mean service to the people, let their members share the whole burden. Governments should discontinue funding them.
P.R.V. Raja,
Pandalam
