Rewarding democracy

Though recent trends of increased electoral participation in naxal-affected areas are encouraging and reflect a >faith in democracy (Editorial, May 9), one wonders whether this is sufficient enough to alienate their root cause of deprivation.

Gagan Singla,

Mansa, Punjab

It is amazing that there has been a significantly high voter turnout in areas affected by Maoist and left-wing extremism; this in the midst of a call for a boycott of the election by these extremist outfits. To counter this is the equally pathetic picture of educated middle and upper class voters who choose not to exercise their franchise. Most have to lot to say against the administration and the government whenever there is inflation or a tax hike but will do nothing to determine what sort of a government or an administration they want.

R. Ramachandra Ayyar,

Chennai