Writers return awards
Arun Jaitley makes a very weak argument ("A manufactured revolt': Arun Jaitley criticises writers for returning national awards"). When so many intellectuals stand up together to protest, it is a strong indication that something is definitely not right.
These writers have won awards based on merit, unlike some people whose credibility in the literary and academic field is solely based on political patronage. This means that they are independent thinkers and not people without a voice of their own. This fact should make one doubt the veracity of the argument of the writers' dissent being a manufactured revolt.
Assuming Jaitley is right, who is responsible for this revolt? The finance minister has hinted that it is the Congress and the Left who are resorting to these tactics as they feel marginalised in the current political setup.
I think that the habit of blaming political opponents for everything is in the DNA of Indian politicians and will continue in the future. As for Jaitley's remarks about ideological intolerance, If the idea of intolerance is being opposed, then such an ideology is the need of the hour. –Bhogtoram Mawroh
Word of appreciation
We understand the agony of cultural activists like K Satchidanandan who have been upholding freedom of speech, cultural values and secularism ("Full text: Eminent Malayalam poet and critic K Satchidanandan resigns from Sahitya Akademi"). The whole world is watching the rotten developments in India. We salute K Satchidanandan for championing the cause of cultural pluralism. – R Kumaraguruparan
Defeating chauvinism
Keki Daruwalla, a highly respected poet and civil servant, has gently and firmly stated his view ("Stir from your soporific stance and act': Poet Keki Daruwalla appeals to Sahitya Akademi president"). I hope the executive council of the Sahitya Akademi will pay attention.
Holding a condolence meeting for Professor MM Kalburgi is not a matter of politics. It is a simple way to honour the professor's memory and his contributions. However, the reality that no condolence meeting has taken place conveys the impression that some politics is involved.
We hope that the Akademi will soon take steps to dispel these notions about the cultural body. Most writers and intellectuals would support the Akademi's president in this endeavour.
The Akademi should also urge the authorities to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice. Writers, intellectuals and academics should not surrender to the assault on their constitutional freedom of speech.
In the 1950s, US senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee had unsuccessfully tried to silence writers, filmmakers and academics. Among the targets included writers Langston Hughes and Arthur Miller, whose play, The Crucible, dealt with witch trials in US history. McCarthy's efforts were prompted by the American fear of Communism during the Cold War.
India is currently in the grip of renewed chauvinism, which will eventually be defeated. But it won't happen without struggle and vigilance on our part, as well as a willingness to confront fear and intimidation. – Amritjit Singh
Unfair criticism
Your critique of Nayantara Sahgal bears a stamp of diffidence that's hard to miss ("Is writer Nayantara Sahgal being hypocritical by returning her Sahitya Akademi award?"). It comes when one writes or acts against one's first impulse. By the Nehru's niece logic that you have used against Sahgal, even President Pranab Mukherjee can be seen as speaking as a former Congressman.
The other question, as to why she accepted the award after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, can lead one to argue that she should have left India after the Partition bloodshed.
I think your write-up failed to notice the import of a series of litterateur, creative writers across India following in her footsteps. The very invocation of her ancestry lost sight of her personal record, including her strong opposition of the Emergency that proves she will have a legacy of her own, quite distinct from her mother and Nehru.
Without meaning to be personal, may I point out, in case you haven't noticed, that you too will have a name for posterity above the inalterable reality of your parentage. Your task is to make that reality bigger. But that hasn't unfortunately happened with your comments on Sahgal.
The forces that are challenging us do three things to silence critics: compromise them, character assassinate or assassinate them. They never tolerate them. – Vinod Sharma
Modi can't control everything
There is one thing that I have understood from every bad incident that happens in the country: some intellectuals and pseudo-secular individuals will blame Narendra Modi ("The lesson from Modi’s reaction to Dadri: Don’t ask him to express outrage ever"). Opposition parties and some political pundits have been targeting Modi since 2002, accusing him of being a mass murderer among other things.But today he is the prime minister. What have these people gained by spreading lies?
How can one person be responsible for each and every incident in the country? Did Manmohan Singh speak when the Muzaffaragar riots took place in September 2013. Did Rajiv Gandhi apologise for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots? – Manish Patel
***
The point was put across sarcastically, but it is true that the prime minister cannot react to every incident over which he does not have full control. Had Narendra Modi overreacted, you would have described him as a dictator, interfering in issues that should be handled by the state.
As the chief minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya visited almost every victim of crimes like the Dadri lynching. But what did he achieve by neglecting his primary duty to serve the state? Those crimes have now escalated further. I am a Bengali and it is painful to see the plight of people in the state.
When you are the top, you have to set aside emotion and try to eradicate the root of the problem, which in this case is poverty. Such incidents can be minimised by eradicating poverty and making people self-reliant. The government is trying to do just that. You can try to help them instead of wasting your literary ability on polarising people who are already blind. The country is more important than the individual. – Sandip Kumar Dhara
Political alibis
I can bet that these pseudo-secular and anti-India individuals cannot accept the fact that the right-wing is in power ("By buying Modi's excuses for communalism, we’re all colluding in murder"). I have never heard them talk about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits or the condition of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Not a single intellectual returned his award when Kashmiri Pandits were butchered. Who will stand up for them? – Vineet Chaturvedi
***
A great column by Kavita Krishnan on Narendra Modi's anaemic response to the Dadri murders. The parallels drawn with the lynching incidents in the US are spot on. Over the last 20 years, the anti-intellectual Christian right in the US has been doing the same "cultural lynching" that the Hindutva right-wing has been doing in India. It's the same lies and apologies for murder and rape. – Brian Herwood
***
I just want to thank Kavita Krishnan for a great, thought-provoking article. I am an Indian and I love my country. This is the kind of issue that the media should talk about if they really care about justice and true journalism. – Syed J
***
The article was well written. The common man will agree that Hinduism does not require pseudo-Hindus for it to survive. The religion has withstood numerous assaults and will not wither. – Ajit Vasudevan
***
Kavita Krishnan succinctly puts into the words the appalling injustices taking place in the country in the name of religion, which are merely a disguise for hate. Cry, my beloved country. – pauldevika on email
Advani, the statesman
The writer very honestly narrates the past and describes LK Advani's true personality ("LK Advani: The harbinger of violence is today evangelising about tolerance"). Every word is the truth. Those who seek to belittle Narendra Modi are projecting Advani these days as an elderly statesman preaching the gospel truth. Even the Congress and Nitish Kumar have good things to say about Advani. Modi is accused of ignoring a man considered to have been bestowed with goodness. –Kanhaiya Sinha
Ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni
Well said by Rajdeep Sardesai ("Open letter to Aditya Thackeray: Why don't you defend state's pride by helping Marathwada farm widows?"). The Shiv Sena wants to show its power through destruction. They never think of doing any constructive work. Shiv Sainiks have been trained to behave that way and it's really very sad. – Alka Adrianvala
***
Dear Mr Thackeray,
Let me first apologise for thinking you to be another hothead trying to ramrod his political agenda through acts of street violence ("Aditya Thackeray's open letter to Rajdeep Sardesai: Ink was spilt to protest spilling of innocent blood").
I still do not condone your party's violent acts such as beating Bihari autorickshaw drivers. I do not appreciate people like your MP Sanjay Raut who talk nonsense.
Having said that, I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments in the letter. Terrorism and peace talks could have gone together had it made sense. It is not in Pakistan's DNA to be trustworthy. So there should be let up on this front. Peace should come first, talks later.
Can't some sane voices like you keep a moderate profile so that tolerance will be appreciated more than violent actions? Your letter is nationalistic and rational to a great extent. I feel that you may one day bring some fundamental changes to your party as well. – Gautam
***
The cub roars. Kudos to Aditya Thackeray for giving a befitting reply to Rajdeep Sardesai, who has sacrificed his patriotism for the sake of his journalism and opportunism. We Shiv Sainiks are proud of our straightforward attitude. –Sanjai Sawant
***
Aditya Thackeray's response to Rajdeep Sardesai's open letter is very well written. The points have been put across politely and even though there is sarcasm on occasion, his overall attitude is positive. I am impressed. – Sandeep Vaidya
***
Dear Mr Thackeray,
I am a former sergeant who served in the Indian Air Force for 16 years. I must say that I was touched after you mentioned your anguish at the deaths of soldiers in action. I wish we had more of your tribe.
You and your "soldiers" want to show solidarity with the armed forces. This is a noble thought. And the way you did that was to ink an unarmed man.
Remembering the martyrs
I agree with the writer that soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in battle would be better served if the government concentrated on building peace in the region ("The war memorial we don’t have and are not building"). However, this is an idealistic view.
This national war memorial is being built despite political and bureaucratic opposition. It is only because of immense pressure exerted by armed forces veterans, which are slowly becoming a politically significant group, that this project has finally been sanctioned.
The argument that there are already war memorials around is correct. However, these memorials have been built locally, mostly by troops or units serving in those places who wish to commemorate specific incidents or personnel. It is unlikely that the common man will ever visit Kargil, Uri and other such areas where these memorials have been erected.
Therefore, there is certainly a need for a national war memorial in the capital. India Gate only remembers those who served in World War I. The Eternal Flame hardly does justice to the 25,000-plus martrys who have sacrificed their lives to protect the country.
Building a war memorial will surely help motivate young men and women to join the armed forces. Or does the writer really believe that we will no longer require the services of our military in the near future? – Brig Deepak Sinha (Retd)
***
This is a simply superb article. It says everything that needs to be said on the issue, but it's a pity that politicians won't get the message. Their careers are built upon the dashed dreams and hopes of the young in their country. No politician has ever died for this country. – Rajsrimaan
***
The owners and the editor of Scroll are anti-army and anti-national because they deliberately choose to lie. None of the numerous war memorials listed are national memorials.
These private war memorials are paid for and raised by the armed forces and grateful people from the areas whose land was saved or inhabitants rescued. Ungrateful people like the publishers of this article and politicians have not contributed to this cause.
The day is not far when people will shun the idea of national service. It will not be because of poor pay for a great sacrifice, but because news portals like Scroll are deliberately creating a sentiment of shunning selfless national service.
Has the writer verified the content of the story? I dare you to remove this article, which is a deliberate lie written with the intent of creating misgivings about national service. – Dilip Sharma
Criminal counsel
Criminals becoming lawyers is not the only problem ("How to stop criminals from becoming lawyers? A High Court order proposes the wrong solution"). After studying law, some students start thinking that they are a law unto themselves.
Owaisi's influence
I find Ajaz Ashraf's profile of Asaduddin Owaisi steeped in sycophancy ("Asaduddin Owaisi’s secret: He embodies the fantasies and aspirations of India’s Muslims"). The writer is either oblivious or chose to ignore Owaisi's communal underpinnings, which would not impress the average Indian. The writer should have reviewed the history of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and its role in fanning communal vitriol in pre-Partition Hyderabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is routinely criticised for his silence on communal speeches made by his associates and party members. Some critics view this as delegating responsibility for communal polarisation. The writer could have applied the same yardstick to Owaisi. While he is exceptionally eloquent, Asaduddin maintains an air of silence about his younger brother Akbaruddin's communal diatribe. This silence may also be the older Owaisi's tacit ploy for electoral gains.
Owaisi's rising clout is hardly good news for Indian Muslims and the idea of India. – Rohit
Sustaining a business
Ola needs to answer some questions ("Meet the people whose lives have been transformed by Uber and Ola and those who think it will fail"). The drivers take home all the money from ferrying people around plus an additional Rs 100 per trip. Where does the company get all this money from? In most cases, a company pays its employees from its profits. So how can this company pay a bonus without getting paid by its customers? How can it survive and pay salaries to its non-driver staff? – Sampath
Prioritising the real issues
Publishing this story was avoidable ("Should Lord Vishnu be woken up with Suprabhatham? A welcome debate in the Supreme Court"). If something like this were to happen involving a ritual in a mosque, heads would roll. The Travancore royal family should have not raised this issue in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court should wake up and dispose of thousands of cases pending for more than 10 years instead of allotting time for these matters. It should have simply said that it does not concern itself with rituals in a temple and moved on to the next pending case. – JR Krishnan
***
It's very sad that a few people have raised such ludicrous issues in court. There's no need to stress or demand logic at every stage. If one believes in Suprabatham, he may follow it. If not, he should give up the practice of chanting, but not insist that others not follow the age-old custom. It's time that people learn to live and let live. – PNS Mani
Saving face?
What the BJP is doing is nothing new ("Bihar leaders replace Modi in election ads as BJP gets an attack of nerves"). The Congress does it all the time. The analysis and the blame game can wait. Most pollsters got their predictions wrong in the general election last year and have been cautious ever since. – Rajan
Keeping the faith
To say that "the majority of Indian Parsis till now are still mobeds" is not correct ("The Zoroastrian priestesses of Iran whose father was an Indian Parsi"). But that apart, this article should be widely disseminated among the fossilised Parsi community in India.
Not only are Parsi women not allowed to become priests in India, they even have to forego their religion if they marry non-Parsis. Their children cannot be initiated into the faith.
Parsis pride themselves on providing equal opportunities in education and jobs for their women. But the most blatant discrimination against women is denying them the right to practise their faith.
The attempts by more enlightened members of the community to change this attitude have been stoutly opposed by most priests as well as the Bombay Parsi Panchayet, which administers vast charitable funds and has become a law unto itself. – Shema Gandhy
We welcome your comments at
letters@scroll.in.
Arun Jaitley makes a very weak argument ("A manufactured revolt': Arun Jaitley criticises writers for returning national awards"). When so many intellectuals stand up together to protest, it is a strong indication that something is definitely not right.
These writers have won awards based on merit, unlike some people whose credibility in the literary and academic field is solely based on political patronage. This means that they are independent thinkers and not people without a voice of their own. This fact should make one doubt the veracity of the argument of the writers' dissent being a manufactured revolt.
Assuming Jaitley is right, who is responsible for this revolt? The finance minister has hinted that it is the Congress and the Left who are resorting to these tactics as they feel marginalised in the current political setup.
I think that the habit of blaming political opponents for everything is in the DNA of Indian politicians and will continue in the future. As for Jaitley's remarks about ideological intolerance, If the idea of intolerance is being opposed, then such an ideology is the need of the hour. –Bhogtoram Mawroh
Word of appreciation
We understand the agony of cultural activists like K Satchidanandan who have been upholding freedom of speech, cultural values and secularism ("Full text: Eminent Malayalam poet and critic K Satchidanandan resigns from Sahitya Akademi"). The whole world is watching the rotten developments in India. We salute K Satchidanandan for championing the cause of cultural pluralism. – R Kumaraguruparan
Defeating chauvinism
Keki Daruwalla, a highly respected poet and civil servant, has gently and firmly stated his view ("Stir from your soporific stance and act': Poet Keki Daruwalla appeals to Sahitya Akademi president"). I hope the executive council of the Sahitya Akademi will pay attention.
Holding a condolence meeting for Professor MM Kalburgi is not a matter of politics. It is a simple way to honour the professor's memory and his contributions. However, the reality that no condolence meeting has taken place conveys the impression that some politics is involved.
We hope that the Akademi will soon take steps to dispel these notions about the cultural body. Most writers and intellectuals would support the Akademi's president in this endeavour.
The Akademi should also urge the authorities to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice. Writers, intellectuals and academics should not surrender to the assault on their constitutional freedom of speech.
In the 1950s, US senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee had unsuccessfully tried to silence writers, filmmakers and academics. Among the targets included writers Langston Hughes and Arthur Miller, whose play, The Crucible, dealt with witch trials in US history. McCarthy's efforts were prompted by the American fear of Communism during the Cold War.
India is currently in the grip of renewed chauvinism, which will eventually be defeated. But it won't happen without struggle and vigilance on our part, as well as a willingness to confront fear and intimidation. – Amritjit Singh
Unfair criticism
Your critique of Nayantara Sahgal bears a stamp of diffidence that's hard to miss ("Is writer Nayantara Sahgal being hypocritical by returning her Sahitya Akademi award?"). It comes when one writes or acts against one's first impulse. By the Nehru's niece logic that you have used against Sahgal, even President Pranab Mukherjee can be seen as speaking as a former Congressman.
The other question, as to why she accepted the award after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, can lead one to argue that she should have left India after the Partition bloodshed.
I think your write-up failed to notice the import of a series of litterateur, creative writers across India following in her footsteps. The very invocation of her ancestry lost sight of her personal record, including her strong opposition of the Emergency that proves she will have a legacy of her own, quite distinct from her mother and Nehru.
Without meaning to be personal, may I point out, in case you haven't noticed, that you too will have a name for posterity above the inalterable reality of your parentage. Your task is to make that reality bigger. But that hasn't unfortunately happened with your comments on Sahgal.
The forces that are challenging us do three things to silence critics: compromise them, character assassinate or assassinate them. They never tolerate them. – Vinod Sharma
Modi can't control everything
There is one thing that I have understood from every bad incident that happens in the country: some intellectuals and pseudo-secular individuals will blame Narendra Modi ("The lesson from Modi’s reaction to Dadri: Don’t ask him to express outrage ever"). Opposition parties and some political pundits have been targeting Modi since 2002, accusing him of being a mass murderer among other things.But today he is the prime minister. What have these people gained by spreading lies?
How can one person be responsible for each and every incident in the country? Did Manmohan Singh speak when the Muzaffaragar riots took place in September 2013. Did Rajiv Gandhi apologise for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots? – Manish Patel
***
The point was put across sarcastically, but it is true that the prime minister cannot react to every incident over which he does not have full control. Had Narendra Modi overreacted, you would have described him as a dictator, interfering in issues that should be handled by the state.
As the chief minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya visited almost every victim of crimes like the Dadri lynching. But what did he achieve by neglecting his primary duty to serve the state? Those crimes have now escalated further. I am a Bengali and it is painful to see the plight of people in the state.
When you are the top, you have to set aside emotion and try to eradicate the root of the problem, which in this case is poverty. Such incidents can be minimised by eradicating poverty and making people self-reliant. The government is trying to do just that. You can try to help them instead of wasting your literary ability on polarising people who are already blind. The country is more important than the individual. – Sandip Kumar Dhara
Political alibis
I can bet that these pseudo-secular and anti-India individuals cannot accept the fact that the right-wing is in power ("By buying Modi's excuses for communalism, we’re all colluding in murder"). I have never heard them talk about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits or the condition of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Not a single intellectual returned his award when Kashmiri Pandits were butchered. Who will stand up for them? – Vineet Chaturvedi
***
A great column by Kavita Krishnan on Narendra Modi's anaemic response to the Dadri murders. The parallels drawn with the lynching incidents in the US are spot on. Over the last 20 years, the anti-intellectual Christian right in the US has been doing the same "cultural lynching" that the Hindutva right-wing has been doing in India. It's the same lies and apologies for murder and rape. – Brian Herwood
***
I just want to thank Kavita Krishnan for a great, thought-provoking article. I am an Indian and I love my country. This is the kind of issue that the media should talk about if they really care about justice and true journalism. – Syed J
***
The article was well written. The common man will agree that Hinduism does not require pseudo-Hindus for it to survive. The religion has withstood numerous assaults and will not wither. – Ajit Vasudevan
***
Kavita Krishnan succinctly puts into the words the appalling injustices taking place in the country in the name of religion, which are merely a disguise for hate. Cry, my beloved country. – pauldevika on email
Advani, the statesman
The writer very honestly narrates the past and describes LK Advani's true personality ("LK Advani: The harbinger of violence is today evangelising about tolerance"). Every word is the truth. Those who seek to belittle Narendra Modi are projecting Advani these days as an elderly statesman preaching the gospel truth. Even the Congress and Nitish Kumar have good things to say about Advani. Modi is accused of ignoring a man considered to have been bestowed with goodness. –Kanhaiya Sinha
Ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni
Well said by Rajdeep Sardesai ("Open letter to Aditya Thackeray: Why don't you defend state's pride by helping Marathwada farm widows?"). The Shiv Sena wants to show its power through destruction. They never think of doing any constructive work. Shiv Sainiks have been trained to behave that way and it's really very sad. – Alka Adrianvala
***
Dear Mr Thackeray,
Let me first apologise for thinking you to be another hothead trying to ramrod his political agenda through acts of street violence ("Aditya Thackeray's open letter to Rajdeep Sardesai: Ink was spilt to protest spilling of innocent blood").
I still do not condone your party's violent acts such as beating Bihari autorickshaw drivers. I do not appreciate people like your MP Sanjay Raut who talk nonsense.
Having said that, I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments in the letter. Terrorism and peace talks could have gone together had it made sense. It is not in Pakistan's DNA to be trustworthy. So there should be let up on this front. Peace should come first, talks later.
Can't some sane voices like you keep a moderate profile so that tolerance will be appreciated more than violent actions? Your letter is nationalistic and rational to a great extent. I feel that you may one day bring some fundamental changes to your party as well. – Gautam
***
The cub roars. Kudos to Aditya Thackeray for giving a befitting reply to Rajdeep Sardesai, who has sacrificed his patriotism for the sake of his journalism and opportunism. We Shiv Sainiks are proud of our straightforward attitude. –Sanjai Sawant
***
Aditya Thackeray's response to Rajdeep Sardesai's open letter is very well written. The points have been put across politely and even though there is sarcasm on occasion, his overall attitude is positive. I am impressed. – Sandeep Vaidya
***
Dear Mr Thackeray,
I am a former sergeant who served in the Indian Air Force for 16 years. I must say that I was touched after you mentioned your anguish at the deaths of soldiers in action. I wish we had more of your tribe.
You and your "soldiers" want to show solidarity with the armed forces. This is a noble thought. And the way you did that was to ink an unarmed man.
Let me suggest how you can really honour those soldiers. Firstly, you can arrange a homecoming for those in the armed forces returning from "forward areas".
You could also surprise their families with gifts during the festive season, apart from honouring and rewarding children of martyrs.
I think these acts would go a long way in showing these people that you care. They would honour you in return and reap far more electoral dividends than you can imagine. – Lexter Martin
Remembering the martyrs
I agree with the writer that soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in battle would be better served if the government concentrated on building peace in the region ("The war memorial we don’t have and are not building"). However, this is an idealistic view.
This national war memorial is being built despite political and bureaucratic opposition. It is only because of immense pressure exerted by armed forces veterans, which are slowly becoming a politically significant group, that this project has finally been sanctioned.
The argument that there are already war memorials around is correct. However, these memorials have been built locally, mostly by troops or units serving in those places who wish to commemorate specific incidents or personnel. It is unlikely that the common man will ever visit Kargil, Uri and other such areas where these memorials have been erected.
Therefore, there is certainly a need for a national war memorial in the capital. India Gate only remembers those who served in World War I. The Eternal Flame hardly does justice to the 25,000-plus martrys who have sacrificed their lives to protect the country.
Building a war memorial will surely help motivate young men and women to join the armed forces. Or does the writer really believe that we will no longer require the services of our military in the near future? – Brig Deepak Sinha (Retd)
***
This is a simply superb article. It says everything that needs to be said on the issue, but it's a pity that politicians won't get the message. Their careers are built upon the dashed dreams and hopes of the young in their country. No politician has ever died for this country. – Rajsrimaan
***
The owners and the editor of Scroll are anti-army and anti-national because they deliberately choose to lie. None of the numerous war memorials listed are national memorials.
These private war memorials are paid for and raised by the armed forces and grateful people from the areas whose land was saved or inhabitants rescued. Ungrateful people like the publishers of this article and politicians have not contributed to this cause.
The day is not far when people will shun the idea of national service. It will not be because of poor pay for a great sacrifice, but because news portals like Scroll are deliberately creating a sentiment of shunning selfless national service.
Has the writer verified the content of the story? I dare you to remove this article, which is a deliberate lie written with the intent of creating misgivings about national service. – Dilip Sharma
Criminal counsel
Criminals becoming lawyers is not the only problem ("How to stop criminals from becoming lawyers? A High Court order proposes the wrong solution"). After studying law, some students start thinking that they are a law unto themselves.
The real issue is that it is very easy to get admission in small cities or in institutions that are not very prestigious. Some students take admission just for the sake of collecting an additional degree or to remain in university for student union elections.
Such lawyers meander for years before starting a practice just to become agents of judges. Most lawyers in district courts don't know how to present a case, let alone argue. Their ultimate goal is a career in politics and real estate to make big money.
This problem can be solved by toughening the admission process for the three-year course. Another approach would be scrapping the three-year course altogether and introducing a five-year course with an admission test. In this arrangement, only students with high intellect will get selected and criminal elements will be automatically weeded out. – Vishal Jindal
Owaisi's influence
I find Ajaz Ashraf's profile of Asaduddin Owaisi steeped in sycophancy ("Asaduddin Owaisi’s secret: He embodies the fantasies and aspirations of India’s Muslims"). The writer is either oblivious or chose to ignore Owaisi's communal underpinnings, which would not impress the average Indian. The writer should have reviewed the history of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and its role in fanning communal vitriol in pre-Partition Hyderabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is routinely criticised for his silence on communal speeches made by his associates and party members. Some critics view this as delegating responsibility for communal polarisation. The writer could have applied the same yardstick to Owaisi. While he is exceptionally eloquent, Asaduddin maintains an air of silence about his younger brother Akbaruddin's communal diatribe. This silence may also be the older Owaisi's tacit ploy for electoral gains.
Owaisi's rising clout is hardly good news for Indian Muslims and the idea of India. – Rohit
Sustaining a business
Ola needs to answer some questions ("Meet the people whose lives have been transformed by Uber and Ola and those who think it will fail"). The drivers take home all the money from ferrying people around plus an additional Rs 100 per trip. Where does the company get all this money from? In most cases, a company pays its employees from its profits. So how can this company pay a bonus without getting paid by its customers? How can it survive and pay salaries to its non-driver staff? – Sampath
Prioritising the real issues
Publishing this story was avoidable ("Should Lord Vishnu be woken up with Suprabhatham? A welcome debate in the Supreme Court"). If something like this were to happen involving a ritual in a mosque, heads would roll. The Travancore royal family should have not raised this issue in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court should wake up and dispose of thousands of cases pending for more than 10 years instead of allotting time for these matters. It should have simply said that it does not concern itself with rituals in a temple and moved on to the next pending case. – JR Krishnan
***
It's very sad that a few people have raised such ludicrous issues in court. There's no need to stress or demand logic at every stage. If one believes in Suprabatham, he may follow it. If not, he should give up the practice of chanting, but not insist that others not follow the age-old custom. It's time that people learn to live and let live. – PNS Mani
Saving face?
What the BJP is doing is nothing new ("Bihar leaders replace Modi in election ads as BJP gets an attack of nerves"). The Congress does it all the time. The analysis and the blame game can wait. Most pollsters got their predictions wrong in the general election last year and have been cautious ever since. – Rajan
Keeping the faith
To say that "the majority of Indian Parsis till now are still mobeds" is not correct ("The Zoroastrian priestesses of Iran whose father was an Indian Parsi"). But that apart, this article should be widely disseminated among the fossilised Parsi community in India.
Not only are Parsi women not allowed to become priests in India, they even have to forego their religion if they marry non-Parsis. Their children cannot be initiated into the faith.
Parsis pride themselves on providing equal opportunities in education and jobs for their women. But the most blatant discrimination against women is denying them the right to practise their faith.
The attempts by more enlightened members of the community to change this attitude have been stoutly opposed by most priests as well as the Bombay Parsi Panchayet, which administers vast charitable funds and has become a law unto itself. – Shema Gandhy
