There are a plethora of questions being raised as a result of Arvind Kejriwal’s sit-in against the Home Ministry. Comments from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress do not matter as they hold the taint of bias. Kiran Bedi is right in holding that Mr. Kejriwal chose the path of politics and must, therewith, abjure his previous methods. It may well be true that corruption is embedded in the police force through the length and breadth of the country. But if the idea behind Mr. Kejriwal’s protest was simply to expose this phenomenon in the public eye, I am afraid it makes for poor judgment on his part.
A. Jaikrishna,
Secunderabad
I wonder if the Aam Aadmi Party knows how to administer or govern at all. There are any number of broken windowpanes in government schools that need repairing as young students are forced to sit braving the freezing Delhi cold. There are hordes of children who are forced to roam the streets due to lack of guidance, in need of immediate attention. Did the AAP form a government in Delhi to sit on dharnas that disrupt normal life, lead to injuries and then culminate in a whimper, with nothing achieved? The aam aadmi is the person who must be served. But it is improper to misappropriate this entity and pursue a personal agenda in his name. The common people want good governance and an assurance of their rights. I wish to request the AAP to get down to work within the constraints they always knew existed. Don’t waste time. Effective governance lies in the formulation and implementation of laws. Don’t break my trust.
Devina Pandeer,
New Delhi
It was bizarre that the Chief Minister of Delhi found himself forced to sit on a dharna to demand action against allegedly negligent policemen. Considering that the police department is indeed malfunctioning, such a move is justified. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, there is a process for conducting a raid on any suspected act of drug consumption or dissemination, even without a warrant. Given that there reportedly were regular complaints about the situation, the SHO’s reluctance to take action raises questions over the possibility of a nexus between drug racketeers and the Delhi Police. Therefore, Mr. Kejriwal’s daring was not anarchy but a laudable and revolutionary manifestation of politics. The power deficit should be eliminated.
Anshu Patel,
Dhanbad
It was quite amusing to see the Home Minister, who heads the Delhi Police, showing reluctance to take action in the face of allegations of human trafficking by African nationals, who are claiming that they are being discriminated against. The situation must have had serious enough dimensions for the Delhi Chief Minister to openly protest in the manner he did. One notes that Sushil Kumar Shinde’s name has cropped up in a few controversial issues recently. He seems to be growing into a serious liability for Rahul Gandhi.
V.S. Ganeshan,
Bangalore
The common man didn’t vote the AAP to power to change the rules of the game. Their vote was for bringing about a change in the game of politics. It seems, however, that Mr. Kejriwal is playing the same game with his own rules. He seems to be acting with a clear eye on the Lok Sabha elections. How will he choose 300-plus honest people to contest in three months? The current lot that sits in his Cabinet do not appear to have a grasp over administration. With what instrument or litmus test, for that matter, will he check the honesty of an aspiring contestant? In his haste to gather enough strength, he may well be forced to inject some wrong people into the party.
Subodh Kant,
Allahabad
Mr. Kejriwal’s having taken to the streets after having taken the oath of public office was inappropriate. It is time he realised that he is a constitutional functionary and not a social activist any longer. He must not sit on disruptive dharnas that cost the exchequer and result in injury to people. He needs to address issues in the manner of a head of government. His demand for hasty — not speedy — action has done him and his party more harm than the supposed public good he claimed he was pursuing. Having read the points made in the editorial, “The antics of a Chief Minister” (Jan. 22), I wonder thus: does Mr. Kejriwal really still have aspirations of going pan-Indian, or is he looking to become a wanton martyr?
Prabhu Raj,
Chennai
The face-off between the Delhi Police and the State government has created a healthy debate among politicians, the media and members of the public. One hopes lawmakers and guardians of the Constitution too take heed and discuss the matter. The prevalence of huge ideological differences in the current party system puts vested interest over the national interest. The need of the hour is to bring in an effective system where law and order is given top priority. We must implement the 2006 Supreme Court judgment mandating reforms to insulate the police force from illegal political interference.
T. Ramachandraprasad,
Chennai
