Unrest in Europe

Published : Dec 03, 2010 00:00 IST

THE Cover Story (Road to rebellion, November 19) reveals the reality in the so-called developed states. They are getting a taste of the acute crisis that underdeveloped countries face every day.

Niloy Kumar Roy Durganagar West Bengal

GLOBALISATION has not spared even giant economies as could be seen from the economic turbulence in Europe and the U.S. The current turmoil in Europe will most probably strengthen right-wing fringe elements and fascist groups. The revival of the world economy looks bleak in the immediate future, going by the interim reports of international financial organisations.

S. Murali Vellore, Tamil NaduChola bronzes

ALL three articles under the Heritage' column (Masterpieces in metal, Grand show and Waxed eloquence, November 19) were excellent and informative. The rare and excellent photographs of bronze idols made this issue a collector's item.

S. Balakrishnan Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

THE article is a treat for those who could not visit the exhibition held in connection with the millennium celebrations of the Brihadisvara temple in Thanjavur. The photographs and information on the bronze sculptures will be useful for the public and researchers.

B. Jambulingam ThanjavurShiv Sena

THE Shiv Sena attack on Rohinton Mistry's award-winning book once again shows that the party never had any lofty ideology (Initiation rites, November 19). Bal Thackeray's selection of his grandson Aditya to head the party's youth wing makes it clear that politics in India remains family oriented. Ideology is only debated in every forum, never practised. The Vice-Chancellor's decision to remove the book from the syllabus overnight is shocking.

K.R. Srinivasan Secunderabad

THE Shiv Sena's vituperative campaign against Mistry's Such a Long Journey is not surprising as the Sena is known for such campaigns based on its narrow ideology and sub-national sabre-rattling. But the Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor's action and (former) Chief Minister Ashok Chavan's views are.

The fact of the matter is that anyone can secure a ban on any book by merely creating a controversy over it. No serious debate precedes a demand for a ban. The state simply bans a book to overcome the controversy, abdicating its responsibility to safeguard freedom of thought and expression. Such virulent campaigns not based on public debate and informed discussion run the risk of weakening the Constitution.

Bichu Muttathara Khadki, PuneKerala elections

THERE are a few factual errors in the article Losing ground (November 19). The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) won 13 seats including 5 municipal seats and one block panchayat seat.

Similarly, the author's statement that the winning candidate in the municipality ward (Thodupuzha) is also an accused in the incident [the attack on a college professor] is not true. It was Subaida teacher of the SDPI who won from Keerikkode ward in Thodupuzha municipality. She is not an accused in the assault case. Prof. Anas of the SDPI, who is in jail in connection with the case, was elected from Vazhakkad Block, Vanchinadu Division.

I hope in future you will not brand upcoming socio-political organisations such as the PFI as fundamentalist'.

Shaj Hameed Mundakayam, KeralaRTI

THE interview with former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah was enlightening (Widening horizons, November 19). There is a need to strengthen the RTI Act and sensitise the people about its importance. One way of empowering our nation is through exercising RTI.

Syed Khaja New DelhiObituary

S.R. SANKARAN'S life as a bureaucrat is very inspiring (Road less travelled, November 19). His zest for social services is remarkable. An iconic officer, he never compromised on serving the people, despite political pressure.

Simranjit Singh Ludhiana, PunjabKarnataka

FRONTLINE has captured well the murky developments in Karnataka (Behind the vote, November 5). By intimating to the Governor their decision to withdraw support to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, the rebel BJP MLAs invited disqualification upon themselves. They should have expressed their dissent in the party's legislative wing and sorted out their differences with the leadership.

K. Ragupathi New Delhi

THE race for ministerial posts is not new to Karnataka. But the present crisis has brought to the fore the political instability, the extent of political corruption and horse trading and the government's failure on the development front. Legislators trading blows and unprintable words is shameful.

A.J. Rangarajan New Jersey, U.S.

SPEAKER K.G. Bopaiah's decision to hurry through the disqualification proceedings clearly shows that he buckled under political pressure. The Governer's decision to call for a second vote of confidence came as a surprise too.

Kiran Shivakumar Devanahalli BangaloreAyodhya

THIS is the first time in the history of India judges have thought in a manner different from what is laid down in books (In the name of faith, Cover Story, October 22). Actually, the Allahabad High Court has ignored the books of history, not the history of India. Every book of history is affected by the prejudice of the writer and is full of contradictions and controversies. We must respect the beliefs of people belonging to every religion; scientific views and historical facts alone are not enough.

Sushil Kumar Aurangabad, Bihar

HISTORY was never objective (History has taken a back seat, Cover Story). No two historians will agree on any event written or documented.

Professor D.N. Jha says that the Deputy Commissioner of Faizabad K.K. Nayar is said to have been a member of the RSS and that the ASI has remained packed with Hindu fundamentalists. These are assumptions.

It is faith that governs society. We must have faith in the judiciary.

R.N. Agarwal Bikaner, RajasthanNobel Prize

THE U.S. is using the Nobel Peace Prize to demoralise its enemies (Not so noble, October 22). While truly great figures like Mahatma Gandhi were never considered for the prize, the likes of Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, the Dalai Lama of Tibet and Liu Xiaobo of China were credited with the award because they are dissidents in their motherlands which are traditional foes of the U.S.

Ramesh Kotian Udupi, Karnataka

THE article criticises the award of the Peace Prize to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and the 1978 Camp David Agreement, which Begin signed with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. The 1978 agreement and the 1993 Oslo Accord were two of the most important steps made so far to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. The article also appears to criticise the award of the Peace Prize to the Dalai Lama. Was the Dalai Lama, a man of peace, not worthy of the prize?

Finally, the article appears to downplay what happened at the Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Adam Storring HyderabadANNOUNCEMENT

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