If Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that the infant mortality rate among the Scheduled Tribes in Kerala is worse than the situation in Somalia, it is not necessarily a remark meant to hurt the feelings of Malayalis (“Twitterati use Mohanlal line to troll Modi”, May 12). Criticism and counter-barbs are a part and parcel of politics, with the level reaching a crescendo during electioneering. The statement has probably emanated more out of pain than from an intention to denigrate the State. It must be seen in perspective.
K.V. Seetharamaiah,
Hassan, Karnataka
Political statements are always twisted out of context. When the media steps in, it becomes even worse. This is exactly what has happened following Mr. Modi’s controversial statement. It was no doubt exaggerated and could have been avoided. The resultant outburst was needless as what he said was no insult.
C.P. Sreekumar,
Thiruvananthapuram
The Prime Minister’s speech-writers have obviously no idea of the damage they have caused to the prospects of the BJP’s candidates in Kerala. A hard-working population will most certainly not take kindly to Mr. Modi’s unkind words.
Anand Aravamudhan,
Chennai
Kerala is placed high in the human development index, is miles ahead of “developed States” like Gujarat, and is the among the cleanest and healthiest States. It is also the only State which remains in the “very high human development index” with respect to education, health and income. One rarely comes across begging in Kerala unlike the cities in the north where there is widespread destitution in the midst of affluence.
K.S. Sarma,
Hyderabad
It is well-known that Mr. Modi is given to hyperbole while deploying his oratorical skills to dramatic effect. But for once this seems to have gone awry. He could have acknowledged Kerala’s high human development indices before highlighting the plight of the marginalised in the State. Has Mr. Modi forgotten how his government has cut the allocation to entitlement schemes aimed at food security?
G. David Milton,
Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
