Ultra-populism

It is a pity that writers like Kanak Mani Dixit have yet to acknowledge the ground realities as far as the political mood of India is concerned (“ >The road to ultra-populism ,” Nov. 3). Yes, India may have become “ultra-national” which could lead to “ultra-populism,” but the fact is that a majority of Indians are aware of this, having voted decisively for Mr. Modi and the BJP. If the patriotism of the “my country right or wrong” type seems old-fashioned jingoism to liberals, they are most welcome to pontificate at leisure from their armchairs. Look at the tortured soul of Pakistan. Why should Indians empathise with that country? Article 370 was made when the Congress had an absolute majority in Parliament. The Constitution can be amended to repeal it. AFSPA was promulgated keeping national security in mind; obviously, there will be some who object to it. Afzal Guru got a fair trial. For that matter, does Mr. Dixit also think that Ajmal Kasab didn’t get a fair trial?

A majority of Indians have voted for a government which represents all that the writer loathes. But a democracy is what a majority of its people want it to be, not what a few think that it should be.

Deshabhimani Rao,

Bengaluru

Mr. Dixit has illustrated his article with a great many examples of ultra-populism and ultranationalism across South Asia and advocates an ideal form of governance with special advice to India. However, he has not given a single example of a great nation that has historically prospered without being realist. We need to strike a balance between the freedom of speech and expression and the need to curb dissenting voices for the faster growth of our nation. We are tired of dissenting voices, logjam, unending debates and the idealism of some intellectuals which and who are stalling the nation’s growth.

Gaurav Kathuria,Rohtak, Haryana