Controversy over the Big B

The constant emphasis on the government’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative is only a pretext for defending the indefensible — Amitabh Bachchan’s participation in the fete to commemorate the Modi government’s second anniversary (“BJP defends Amitabh’s participation in fete”, May 26). It is strange that a level-headed person like Mr. Bachchan has not politely turned down the offer to host the event till his name is cleared in the Panama Papers scandal. As an actor, Mr. Bachchan is in a league of his own. It is also true that he has associated himself with noble causes such as the eradication of polio, wildlife conservation, and the promotion of tourism. But these are not good enough reasons for conferring immunity on him from the due process of law. A true democracy cannot countenance differential treatment based on one's station in life. The BJP is seeking to reduce the issue to a political slugfest between the Congress and itself as though the actor has been named in the Panama Papers at the Congress’s behest. It seems to labour under a misapprehension that appropriating national icons, even if they are tainted, will add to its appeal and acceptance.

The party’s indulgence of Mr. Bachchan on the ground that he is a star with the power to enthral does not sit comfortably with its promise of recovering black money stashed away in overseas tax havens. The Big B is not just a famous film star. He is a businessman too, with his own interests to protect. He has also migrated from party to party in research of political patronage. The controversy has only resulted in casting a shadow on the celebrations.

G. David Milton,

Maruthancode

The Congress is wrong in raising a hue and cry over Mr. Bachchan’s participation in the event celebrating two years of the Modi government. Mr. Bachchan is free to do as he pleases as long as it does not affect anyone adversely and as far as it is not illegal. Dragging the Panama Papers scandal to attack him and the Prime Minister in this context is, at best, childish, for the two issues are different.

V. Padmanabhan,

Bengaluru