It is sad to see political leaders of some stature engaging in distasteful taunts (“Mani Shankar Aiyar takes flak for ‘tea seller’ jibe at Modi,” Jan. 18). It is one thing to question a particular politician’s suitability for prime ministership and quite another to make jibes in a manner that is disrespectful to a humble occupation like that of a tea-boy Such remarks may have been intended to be funny but who will have the last laugh is yet to be seen.
Sweety Gupta,
New Delhi
Astounding and derogatory statement by Mani Shankar Iyer at an AICC Session that Narendra Modi being a tea seller was not knowledgeable and unfit to be the Prime Minister. If Mr. Aiyar wanted to criticise Mr. Modi, he should have done it on credible grounds. Such criticisms are counterproductive.
The comment was totally uncalled for and shows the desperation of the Congress party, which has zero chance of returning to power. Arguments need to be based on policies and programmes, which would make them healthy and enable the people to decide on their choice.
A.G. Rajmohan,
Anantapur
The comments are no doubt in poor taste. But in saying that, let us also remember that Mr. Modi has himself made several crass remarks against his political rivals and fellow-citizens from the religious minorities. While condemning Mr. Aiyar, let us also hope that this gives Mr. Modi an opportunity to realise how hurtful such crude personal attacks are to others, and mend his ways.
R. Hariharan,
Auckland, New Zealand
