|
|
|
|
|
| HOME | NEWS | DEAR REDIFF | |||
|
ELECTIONS '98
|
|
|
E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 13:33:00 -0600 Personally, I don't think Sonia Gandhi's visit to Bangalore had anything to do with it being cosmopolitan. As usual, in the glorious tradition of the Congress, even this time people from remote rural areas and slums were brought in truck loads for monetary compensation. There were hardly any takers from the educated Basavanagudi constituency where our future first lady (I hope not) gave her not so impressive speech. Srinivas Murthy
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 09:01:32 -0800 The interview with ASK is good. I especially liked the way he answered questions about Kesri, Rao and Sonia. India needs people like this who can think rather than who stink! Venkat
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 12:48:34 -0600 I read this interview and am sorry to say that I felt disgusted at such hypocrisy. I am not a fan of any of the Congress leaders. Neither am I an ardent supporter of the BJP and the Hindutva plank (although I am a strict brahmin). As regards my right to vote, I have vowed that I'll never do that and elect some power hungry politician to power and later debate about my choice. I wouldn't even consider listing myself in the voters list today. And this is solely because of leaders like Mr Aslam Sher Khan. "Every week around 200 Muslims are joining the BJP." Is this the first time that so many people have chosen one particular party to launch themselves into politics? I guess not. People have heard/read such news even when someone like Mr Aslam Sher Khan had joined the Congress. Till recently, the BJP and Muslims were at war because of the Ayodhya issue. Everyday, I read statements made by L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Muslim politicians and religious heads about this issue. They expressed strong feelings and hatred about each other in public. And now, just because elections are here again, everybody seems to have gone stone cold in this matter. For the BJP, Hindutva is not the issue right now. They have capitalised on religion when it was the hot topic. First Ayodhya, next Mathura then some other site somewhere in India etc.. This was the party's "political" agenda when it had only 2 seats in the Lok Sabha. Now that they have 184 seats solely based on such issues, they want the remainder of seats (for a majority in the Lok Sabha ) from the minorities. Now you don't hear the same party talk about Ayodhya or Mathura. Instead, they are trying to woo Muslims by promising to solve the Hindu-Muslim problems and a amicable solution to the Mandir-Masjid issue. If Mr Vajpayee promised such a thing in a Muslim-dominated crowd in Kanpur, then people like Aslam Sher Khan, who have defected for most obvious reasons, are seen backing it up. Every party worker has side-lined all religious issues for the time being and is busy promoting "the able candidate" who is just a mask to get the party to power. For people like Mr Aslam Sher Khan, whichever party holds the promise of coming to power is what matters. If it was the Congress, then he would elate the Congress as the champion of minorities. And now, if it is the BJP which has the most popular candidature for the PM's post, then he feels that it is this party that can make something good happen to the Muslim community (even though just an year ago, the same community hated Advani and company and held them solely responsible for the demolition of the mosque). Mr Khan has blamed the Congress for not practicing what they put up on their poll agenda and treating the minorities as a vote bank. But who in reality is responsible for it? He joined the party when it claimed to be the protector of minorities in India. He had the 'honour' of heading the so-called ministry for minorities under the PM's office. What did he do with it? (of course, other than helping himself). If not even a single programme was launched to improve the minorities in the country, then why did he keep quiet during those days? Did he even try to come up with such programmes (at least in theory, if not in practice)? Was he given a candy to chew upon during all those years in the government, not to have raised his voice against the party high command for not putting their poll promises in practice? Why did he hold on to the Congress instead of quitting the party as soon as it dawned upon him that it is a party that makes only promises? And on what faith does he try to woo other Muslim followers to join the BJP? Such doubts in the minds of people who are watching such leaders change parties as easily as they change clothing have brought up a lot of questions that nobody will dare to answer sincerely. Many doubt that the BJP has bought such politicians just to woo the minority vote bank. We heard "Mr. Clean" Vajpayee make a public statement that BJP wants to buy two-legged horses when the Gujral government crashed just to get the numbers in Lok Sabha. They might have as well succeeded in doing so, and bought the loyalties of people like Mr Khan to get the minority votes (at least a share of it). I am pretty confident that once the BJP comes to power and appoints such defectors to some vague ministry, then people like Mr Khan here will go stone cold again, because they have achieved what they had wanted. They will not bother about what is happening unless their own position is under any kind of threat. He talks about being close to one of the elite within the Congress all through his twenty odd years in the Congress. Is that why he has always maintained himself in a satisfactory position? In this matter, I would say he is better than any other Congressman. Not because of any social service that people have benefited from, but from the fact that he had the foresight to defect to BJP. He says, "If you are not on Sonia's side in the Congress now, your market share is gone." But he imagined faster than anybody else that he is worth no more than a lost electoral deposit if he hangs on to the Congress today (looking at the BJP's popularity now a days). Obviously, the Congress, BJP, UF and all other parties know how to keep such hypocritical political wanderers in control, and to make the most of their lust for power. Mr Khan himself agreed that the minorities have been treated as vote banks over the years. But who has actually treated people as a mere vote bank? Such people are like domestic dogs. Just throw a couple of biscuits at them and they will quit barking for the time being. The only difference being that these so-called politicians change loyalties with the quality of biscuits they get. It is these so- called champions of minorities who have treated the minority communities as vote banks, not the Congress or the BJP.
Date sent: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 05:57:13 -0800 Hopefully this association doesn't turn out to be a damp squib and succeeds in opening a new chapter for Indian minorities. But I hope that the minorities do understand that the ultimate aim of this effort should be towards eradicating the minority culture, and establishing equality for all in bringing a uniform civil code. Srinivas Murthy
Date sent: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 23:00:04 -0600 Tushar Gandhi is immature and an opportunist, who is talking nonsense. Being the grandson of Gandhiji does not give him bad mouthing like his pal Mulayam and company who themselves are the biggest communalists in India. He should have respect for a party like the BJP which draws support from the majority of the Indian people. Those majority of people supporting the BJP genuinely, are they all communal?
Date sent: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 23:57:44 -0500 I have been staying in Bombay and at some point in the past really thought that Shri Bal Thackeray was a well meaning person. It turns out that the politician has eaten his strengths too. In one breath, in the interview, he complains about Sonia Gandhi making a communal remark and in the next breath, he talks about Sikh killings in Delhi. Both of them are communal. I would like to steal an opportunity here to ask a question here. Is it legal for a person born in another country to be a PM? The reason for asking is: to be president of US, you have to be born in the US. Till now even an African American person has not reached that seat. I am scared of the fact that Sonia is dragged into the Congress.
Date sent: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 00:22:13 +0530 Varsha Bhosle's article seems to be the ravings of a Hindu fanatic. Just like we like to tell Muslims who don't like secular India to go to Pakistan, an Islamic state, I would like to tell her that if she doesn't like secular India she is free to go to Nepal, a Hindu state. Dr Swaranjit Singh Bhatti
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 18:11:35 -0000 Yet another article written in poor taste...without much grain in it... (but of course with a lot of venom--'hatred' in it!!) The BJP guys must be yawning at such articles, for a tirade against them is not uncommon. The unreasonable allegations against the BJP, a fashion of the media, is very much in line with the covetous target of HIDING the heinous deeds of the 'rulers' who ruled this country for the past 50 years. I suppose the author conveniently shrugs off all that, in his intoxicated state of 'secularism.' Show me one person in Indian politics, who has set a precedence like Mr Advani did in the hawala scam! Mrs Indira Gandhi? Who changed the Constitution for proving her 'innocence as per the Constitution?' Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav? Who roared that he could rule from jail? And what is that 'hate' that Mr Advani is perceived to have spread across the country? I wonder.... Have I missed some thing???? At least 30% of the electorate don't feel so. And I'm just wondering if the author wants all to feel that these 30% make the gullible lot of the nation. If the author has no intention of covering others's sins, then I'm wondering if at all the author has thought about the influence such an article would have on the mind of readers. I request the author to recommend a democratic antiseptic to squeeze out the venom from our ruling class. Mind it, the BJP has ruled the country for 13 days as against the 50 years by others. Or may be the author might find some strange reason to malice the BJP more, to highlight how BJP has meticulously crucified the social fabric during their tenure of those13 sinful days! Raviraj Rao
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 12:33:40 -0800 While there are good chances that the author's theory on the dynasty chasing masses of India will prove good. But the fact is still valid that the effect of the dynasty is getting lesser and lesser. Literacy, exposure to the outer world and below average conditions of living in India will help reduce this madness over a period of time. We have enough good people in the media and government, and of course in the judiciary that the corruption and looting of the nation will become more visible, if not proven. Ruling the nation by being in power has certainly its advantages. The BJP and RSS have kept this nation intact just by being a force which cannot be neglected. Even though the BJP may not come to power in March 1998, if this untested theory proves correct, it will remain a force and people will love thousands of honest people from that party. To call Advani a fascist and hate monger, the author has indeed made a mockery of himself. Before raising such blatant commie charges, please have respect for crores of Indians who respect the simplicity, and honest life led by Mr Advani. I think the author has exceeded his limits by charging such a good person. Delhi is not far. Let's see it, Mr Sivaswamy.
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 16:36:40 +0530 I am a regular reader of your columns because I feel your reporting is balanced and unbiased. Unfortunately, I find the article on Sonia and the BJP extremely biased, with a strong undertone of BJP bashing and if I may say abuse. I don't agree with the Maharashtra BJP-Shiv Sena example. Your reporter appears to be out of touch with reality, ask the majority in this metropolis. I am a non Maharashtrian and to my pleasant surprise as well as the majority, this government has been top class compared to previous governments. There is no evidence of fascism. In fact, Bal Thackeray is the most balanced thinking political commentator. Don't you think his suggestion for Ayodhya is excellent? Anirudh Kohli
Date sent: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 22:46:04 -0600 (CST) This is regarding the article about India developing H-bomb capability. This is a very serious and sensitive issue. Before reacting to your report, I would like to know how reliable these sources are? I think you should research the background of the reporter and the journal. I personally haven't heard of either the reporter or the journal. I think you should include your findings at the end of the report. If the report is indeed true, we should condemn the Indian government and the scientific community for allowing this to happen! There is no excuse or worthwhile use for such weapons in the world! We have already seen enough destruction with the nuclear weapons we have today! H-bombs are way too much -- we (especially India) are not capable of handling these extremely dangerous weapons! Ajith Dhati
Date sent: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 13:04:46 +0000 Sunil Sethi wrote in: 'Campaign Trail/Travels with the Millennium Man.' "Despite his halting command of English, the 47-year-old Naidu likes to project himself as the chief minister of the new millennium." Is excellent command of English a prerequisite to lead his state into the new millennium? It's time we stop equating proficiency in English with intelligence. Do the Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese, leaders speak fluent English?! But for this I did enjoy reading the report. Thank You. Ram Yanammandra
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 21:55:51 +0000 The feature fills my heart with great empathy and respect for the wholesome genius of the man. Let me at first hand offer a great tribute to his value-system. What best role model of modern India could we portray? He has bravely confronted the hypocritical elements of Indian society for all these years. His crusade should be eulogised by fundamentalist Hindus and Muslims because it shows a path that these religions, and their followers could retain their identity even after the marriages. After all, religion should be an individual matter of belief and practice with least influence of politically motivated institutions of society. Jagveer Rawat
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 17:08:27 -0800 I studied the articles by Pritish Nandy. I think most of the articles of our great journalists should also be published in regional newspapers in local languages. I believe the great writings do not reach the common mass of India, who either do not know English or do not subscribe an English newspapers. If this happens on a wide scale, then an awakening of the society will take place.
Date sent: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 10:46:58 PST A pack of concocted lies.Why don't you rename yourselves as BJP on the Net? It is high time that propagating false rumours and publishing junk materials comes under criminal jurisdiction..
Date sent: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 10:59:32 -0500 Having just finished the book, I am delighted with this report, and intend to share it with others. I was in London when the Booker short list came out and was interested in the controversy about the Indian woman and first time novelist who had been placed on a list that many thought should have carried certain other male writers. Now I am looking for those comments. The book is superb; not only for descriptive narrative, but for commentary on the Indian caste system and war. If her work continues in this vein, she should be a Nobelist.
|
||
| HOME |
NEWS |
BUSINESS |
CRICKET |
MOVIES |
CHAT
INFOTECH | TRAVEL | LIFE/STYLE | FREEDOM | FEEDBACK |
||