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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 19:47:36 EST What a farce of reporter you have Rediff. Get him out of this column. He is biased and prejudiced. Who the hell does he thinks can rule India? It has to be one of the two parties, not the Commies. Sorry I came across this pathetic analysis.
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 14:30:41 -0500 This is in response to Mr Nandy's article announcing that the BJP and Congress both stink. I read somewhere, quite sometime back, a very suitable analogy. (Don't remember the reference!) It said that POLITICS is like a TOILET in a house. It has the cleansing role for the inhabitants of the house. Those who spend all their time in this TOILET start to stink. Pompous people with "I wouldn't touch politics"-attitude share the constipation discomfort of those who never visit the TOILET. All the poisonous toxins generated in a body find their way into the TOILET, and that's why a doctor orders stool-tests to diagnose a body's malaise. POLITICS is thus the exit for society's toxins and is therefore bound to stink. Indian society has many sources of toxins and these are certain to find an exit into the TOILET. If we stop this excretion process, the resulting constipation will make the society Very Very Sick. Free outflow of all toxins into the TOILET is also called the free democratic process. Politics will always stink of the toxins in society's body. The name of the TOILET's current occupant may change from the Congress to the Janata Dal to the BJP, but the stink of the toxins will not go away until the diseases are cured. So, there is nothing surprising in your observation that the TOILET is stinking as much as it used to when the Congress was in there. The pharmacological agents working in society's body, that will eventually reduce the toxins and thus the strength of the stink, are the various dedicated volunteers of many NGOs who are trying to change the fate of the disadvantaged in the rural, tribal and the slum areas. Medha Patkars, Baba Amtes, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashrams, Sewa Bharatis, Bahugunas, Mother Teresas, and numerous other not-so-famous people are, I think, such curing agents. If you must differentiate between the BJP and the Congress, then step back form the TOILET, and compare the pharmacological agents that have been spawned by the Sangh Parivar and the Congress. The result should be very very obvious. The BJP is in the role of TOILET handler on behalf of the Sangh Parivar and is bound to stink because the TOILET is going to stink no matter who goes in there -- unless the body is cured.
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 14:28:06 -0500 The man is totally devoid of any cogency of argument, or sophistication. He simply babbles on under the delusion that he is being witty. As I recall, he concluded a while back that Indians hate success simply because Indians find it abominable that the Tatas should finance a terrorist organisation. Does he have any decency or shame at all? And he is the one whining against lack of decency in the BJP and the Congress!
Date sent: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 19:00:41 -0600 This man has yet to overcome his Commie-like attitude. Making sweeping statements, in love with himself, doesn't Mr Nandy look like the "Kesri" of journalism? Reeta
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 12:47:50 -0800 I liked this article. It is true that the BJP is as stinky as the Congress. While the Congress was disorganised and corrupt, these right wing organisations are systematically corrupt. In the last election, the people gave a mandate to throw the Congress out of power because they were corrupt. Now they will have a tough time figuring out how to give a negative mandate not to one but two parties. Politicians think that statesmanship can compensate for corruption but sooner than later they will realise that the only people to believe in such things are themselves.
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 13:12:44 -0700 With due respects to your impressive journalistic credentials, I wanted to ask you one question? Did you write any article praising Mr Vajpayee when he did not resort to horse-trading in order to save his government (June,1996)? Or were you one of them who ridiculed him as a naive politician who presided over a "13 day wonder"? If at all the BJP has resorted to horse-trading, it is mainly because of the media, which would have again ridiculed the BOP government in UP, for not having a Ph D in "realpolitik". To tell you the truth, I did not come across a single article which showered praise on the Vajpayee government, which it duly deserved. I am still not justifying the action of the BJP government in UP. All I am saying is that the media should call a spade a spade. Most times the media either tries to be too impartial (which means an apathy towards the BJP), or involves in excessive speculation, reading too much into a given situation. The media plays a powerful role today than ever before. I think we should take an example from American journalism which gives an accurate picture of any given situation. They do not "lean" left or right or centre. The media attitude is: Ignore whatever the BJP does good, but pounce on it when it errs once. This will not last too long, nor will people take you seriously. Sameer
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 13:56:38 -0500 Having said what he did on the BJP and the Congress, it would be appropriate if Mr Nandy would also say something about the other parties like the Samajwadi, the RJD, the Muslim League, CPI, CPI-M etc. I wonder what he has to say about the mushrooming numbers of Islamic fundamentalist parties. I cannot recall a single column by him on Muslim fundamentalism -- may be he considers these groups to be secular! In fact, the term secular has lost its true meaning.In the dictionary of many newspaper columnists. It (secular) seems to include all types of religious fanaticism other than Hindu fanaticism. I think that fanaticism of any kind is obnoxious, but let us be objective and not just single out one group and not say anything about others who practice this. I hope that Mr Nandy will come out and say where he stands on fundamentalism.
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 12:55:06 -0600 I agree with Pritish Nandy that the BJP of late has been behaving more and more like the Congress. It can no longer claim to be a party with a difference. I, however, strongly disagree with his perception about coalitions. His first premise that the parties in these coalition are free from all this malaise. Totally off the mark. Take the constituents of the UF like the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal. If corruption, chicanery, bribery are the problems Mr Nandy is talking about, these parties top the chart. Has he ever tried to find out how many people with a criminal history are given party tickets to fight elections by these two parties? Again talking about the DMK. Here is a party which has time and again worked against the national interest -- be it fuelling anti-Hindi/North Indian protests or ties with the LTTE. In Assam we are witnessing the disclosure of a tacit understanding between the AGP and anti-national elements. So where does Mr Nandy see an emerging ideology? The only parties having even the semblance of ideology are the Communists. However we are in a time where their ideology has outlived its appeal. Going by the experience of the last 18 months, I fail to understand why anyone can ever favour going in for coalitions. Scholarly people like Mr Nandy might feel otherwise, but the masses are fed up of opportunistic alliances. Let us give one party, no matter which party it is, a chance to provide a strong and able leadership to India. Sushil Kumar Richfield, MN, USA
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 10:47:46 -0800 This is what Pritish Nandy writes: BJP is as criminal infested as the other parties (Congress??). BJP has indulged in Congressi culture (UP, etc,). One party rule is for democracy impaired (etc,). A few questions for the gentleman: Does the BJP have more criminals among them than Mulayam's party or Laloo's party? After all from the tone and tenor of his article, he was putting forward a case for the UF government again..right? Don't consider Babri breaking "criminals" please... Where was Pritishbhai when the entire establishment ganged up, and was indulging in a wholly unconstitutional scheme to have Mulayam rule by proxy in UP? The only thing that broke open the issue was the BJP's horse-trading...otherwise, we would have Mulayam rule the state by proxy. It is called tit for tat. As for the BJP advocating one party rule, I think it is also advocating a coalition. A stable coalition requires at least 50 % of the seats in the Lok Sabha. You can't have 20 % seats & be supported by an irresponsible 30 % from outside. I don't think the BJP is lilly white. At the middle rungs, it is as hopeless as others; but at least the top level folks are better than the teams the UF and Congress offer. By lumping everyone together, maybe Pritish is trying to up the respectability index of the UF leaders -- but they will remain what they have always been: A group of jokers with a few people like Chidambaram & Gujral thrown in to separate the rivals during Cabinet meetings.
Date sent: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 18:38:13 EST Where does he get off thinking that having many small parties means true democracy? Look at the USA or Britain -- mature democracies indeed and they do not have plethora of parties to cater to the whims and egos of every politician. It is ridiculous to say that the Congress is behaving like the BJP. The Congress is still swearing by 'secularism' whatever it means and the Congress is still very much in love with minority appeasement, Article 370 etc which are anathema to the BJP. As for the BJP behaving like the Congress, the author has used too many allegations without any concrete proof. Why were this self-appointed guardians of virtues silent when for years the Congress and its offsprings like the SJP, Janata Dal plundered the country and engaged all kinds of shoddy dealings including buying votes in Parliament to win the vote of confidence? Gaurang G Vaishnav Delray Beach, Florida, USA
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 13:17:26 -0500 Reading this particular piece, I'm tempted to don the face of the American semi-comedian, David Spade (complete with that smarmy mein) and ask "And the point being?....". Else, I can see this column as nothing but yet another attack on the BJP. I'd say, enough already! Isn't it is less than a month when the same columnist was alerting us all to the evil designs of this party, referring to the tamasha in Leh? One does not have to be a BJP supporter -- how can one be, if one looks at their economic agenda, which seems to be totally aimed at protecting the fiefdoms of businessmen used to licence-permit raj -- to see that 'commentators' such as this columnist would have it both ways -- damn the BJP if they stick to their formerly stated objectives and damn them if they try to change. So, what exactly is the alternative? Reading this column, one would believe it is the 'alternative' which is not mentioned in this column -- the United Front. A front which thinks nothing of subverting the Constitution to satisfy a regional chieftain (one needs to be polite on public forums), another satrap who picks on a puny corporation to cover his failings, another who rules from jail and a 'distinguished' prime minister who, when not busy finding sinecures for his fellow 'distinguished,' presides over this motley crowd we elected to rule over us last time? Or did we?
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 18:12:57 +0000 I think you have been carried away with your own unrealistic views in this article. You have written "What we want is pluralism, true democracy, multiple parties in uneasy alliance. Modern India realises that one party rule is a silly, washed up idea that only half-baked democracies yearn for." Can I ask you Mr Nandy.... which great democracies in the world which have a similar set-up like India (in terms of size, population or constitutional framework) behaves like the Indian way of multi-party coalitions? You should look at the States, if you want to compare in terms of size and population or the UK, from where we inherited our democratic framework....... both countries have always being run by a single party for most of its time in history. Actually, I think regional parties should never be allowed to form a central government. They should remain stick to local government. In the last fifty years, we have done the greatest blunder of history. We are the home of most of the poorest people of this planet..... our per capita income is one of the lowest in the world.... the living conditions have deteriorated relative to most of other nations..... and as we draw just around $ 3 billions of foreign investment and feel very proud of it........ don't forget our next door neighbor draws around $ 100 billion of direct foreign investment per year........ even small already developed countries like Singapore draws $ 5 billion of foreign investment........ and yes most of them have done it in the last 20 to 30 years...... and yes .... you talk about real democracy....... Tell me one thing ... are we really bothered about it.... then why do most of our brightest people heads for Singapore and Malaysia (after the US) for jobs. The main reason is that... what most of us Indians want is a better quality of life...... we engineers, doctors and scientists want a bit of respect for our hard earned qualifications....we want a less crowded road.... a better train during office hours... and better housing..... India couldn't provide us with all this... people who are lucky to have rich parents...for them it is different.. they can shout about multi-party democracy... but for most of Indians... especially the middle class... we want a better quality of life.....
Date sent: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 10:39:52 -0600 The electorate is surely not going to be confused. People are surely going to vote against the corrupt/ Communist / pseudo-secular practices of the United Front / Congress.
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 11:31:18 -0500 Nandy's article stinks a lot more, even more than the Commies in the UF.
Date sent: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 10:20:27 -0600 (CST) It does not require much talent to blindly comment on the existing political system in India. Some journalists try their best to ridicule about anything that surrounds them, making themselves jokers. I expect more responsible articles in Rediff. The journalists should give a clear picture to the people of India about India's political leaders. Simply blaming the leaders will not solve the problem. The people themselves have elected those leaders. When people rally around Rabri Devi, India stinks, including the journalists. Let us work together towards a better India. Sandeep Pradhan Univ of Illinois
Date sent: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 12:57:39 +0530 Nandy's logic stinks. If we have newsmen like Nandy, who needs politicians!
Date sent: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 01:48:23 -0800 Excellent for Indians abroad wanting to be in touch with news and views. Humorous and intillegent.
Date sent: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 14:19:02 +0900 Wonderful.
Date sent: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 12:24:53 -0800 Good one. We would like to see more articles by people like Pritish Nandy and Cho Ramaswamy...
Date sent: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 11:14:41 -0500 I believe Pritish is way off the mark on this issue. What India needs is a stable government. How can a party with two or three members elected in the whole of India be in the Cabinet? People call the BJP a communal party, but no one talks about the Muslim League and other small self- interest regional parties whose agendas are so regional that they are not interested in national issues. Their issues are limited to a local village or a local town and these people are in a national government. India needs a stable government. Minorities will be best protected under the BJP. Ask any sensible Muslim or Christian. I think your analysis about the political scene is nothing but fear tactics.
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