Show of unity
The display of unity of various Opposition leaders indicates that 2019 is going to be a contest between the BJP and the rest (“A spark for Opposition unity”, May 24). It is important for the Congress to remember that the BJP’s fate in Karnataka was sealed not by the Congress’s performance but by the Supreme Court. Instead of conjuring up visions of being the Opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, Rahul Gandhi should be ready to concede that honour to some other popular leader in the grand coalition. As for the BJP, the Karnataka election has shown that there is no such thing as one-party dominance. The BJP has to find some like-minded parties to join forces with. There are many problems affecting the economy such as lack of jobs and high fuel prices, which the government should tackle immediately.
Kangayam R. Narasimhan,
Chennai
This show of Opposition unity shows that all the other political parties are scared to take on the BJP on their own. This betrays a defeatist mindset and may even result in voters sympathising with the BJP as it is being singled out. If the Opposition is really serious about defeating the BJP, it should expose the chinks in the BJP’s armour.
Sivamani Vasudevan,
Chennai
This is going to be tricky. The Congress would not like to forgo its national status and would like to present its own leader as the prime ministerial candidate. Many of these parties have fought against each other in Assembly elections, so how they are going to set aside their political differences and egos remains to be seen.
Kantichand Rampuria Jain,
Srikalahasti
Ineffective governance
The Thoothukudi killings were most unfortunate (“Entirely preventable”, May 24). Whether it was the pro-jallikattu protests on Chennai’s Marina beach in January 2017 or the anti-Sterlite protests now, the government’s mishandling of the situation is evident. Effective governance is all about anticipating trouble and nipping it in the bud through all means. The present political leadership in the State is found lacking in this respect.
V. Jayaraman,
Chennai
While the high-handedness of the police should be discussed, we should also examine the violence perpetrated by some of the protesters. When violence is utilised as a tool to achieve desired outcomes, the price of the unintended consequences is paid by innocent people. The silent majority loses control once vested interests hijack the issue to further their own agendas. This is also what happens when leaders fail to address simmering popular discontent with sympathy and alacrity. What is disgusting is the opportunistic role played by politicians of all hues. Instead of belatedly shedding crocodile tears for the victims, they could have mediated between the protesters, the government, and the management of the company to find an amicable settlement to the issue before the situation turned ugly.
V.N. Mukundarajan,
Thiruvananthapuram
This protest has been going on for months. Why didn’t government officials meet with the protesters and allay their fears earlier? Why did they allow the situation to go out of hand? Also, the police should resort to firing only as the last resort. And moreover, should they not aim at the legs of the protesters and not their chests? There are accusations that snipers were used. If true, this would confirm that the administration’s actions could have been premeditated. This incident is unpardonable and is a black mark on Tamil Nadu.
T. Anand Raj,
Chennai
Double standards
The report that China wants Pakistan to relocate Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed abroad instead of joining hands with India on global platforms against terrorism is a classic example of the rising economic power’s neglect of global priorities (“China wants Pakistan to relocate Hafiz Saeed to a West Asian country”, May 24). While one cannot miss China’s investment interests behind the move, the double standards of protecting a militant while trying to make way for peaceful pathways across the border for the Belt and Road Initiative cannot be overlooked.
Anjali B.,
Thiruvananthapuram
Child rapes
The ordinance promulgating the death sentence to child rapists is nothing but a weapon to silence an agitated society as the death penalty is widely recognised as an ineffective solution (“Justice and redemption”, May 24). There is little focus on implementing the laws that already exist and pushing cases to their logical outcome.
Sara Fathima,
Alappuzha
