Tags:
Journalism of Courage
• This is with reference to Tavleen Singh’s column, ‘‘The cowdung fixation’’. Over the years, vested political interests have not only created a communal image of the BJP, but have also made most Indians believe that the India-Pakistan issue is mainly a Hindu-Muslim dispute. At a time when the whole world is debating the comparative merits of free trade and open economy and establishing a terror-free world, we, in India, are still wasting our energies and resources on communal issues. Our assessment of a political party or community should be based on its contribution to national development, not on ill-placed emotional and communal sentiments.
Ved Guliani
• I didn’t expect Tavleen Singh to be so naive. Atal Behari Vajpayee and Praveen Togadia have drunk from the same bottle — the RSS. At the moment, the BJP has put its communal agenda on the backburner and sent the likes of Togadia behind the scenes. But this does not mean that the party has given up its Hindutva agenda. Whenever it suits them, the BJP will unleash the terror of Togadia and Narendra Modi. Also, Murli Manohar Joshi and his ilk are working to communalise young minds by doctoring text-books. Organisations like the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram are poisoning the minds of tribals.
Ashish Ranjan
• Tavleen Singh’s column made interesting reading. I agree that the RSS and its sister organisations are losing their sheen in the wake of Vajpayee’s ‘‘moderate politics’’, which has made even Advani, who once epitomised the RSS stand on Hindutva, talk of development. In fact, the Deputy Prime Minister has made it clear that his Bharat Uday Yatra would highlight the achievements of the Vajpayee-led NDA government. But, ironically, the RSS, which had whole-heartedly supported Advani’s Ayodhya Rath Yatra that led to the demolition of Babri Masjid, has criticised his Bharat Uday Yatra, saying it is nothing more than an exercise to garner votes. This statement betrays the RSS’s frustration at being sidelined, more so by people in the BJP who it once thought were its vanguards.
Siva Kumar
• With reference to Coomi Kapoor’s Inside Track, the ongoing race — among politicians, Bollywood stars, TV personalities, sportspersons — to join political parties is aimed at reaping personal post-election benefits. Even D P Yadav managed a ceremonious entry into the BJP, so that he and his family could be bailed out of the many cases in which they are involved. It is another matter that the BJP did a rethink. Top BJP leaders should now investigate if there was any money power involved in his entry.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
• With reference to the feature on Bollywood, ‘‘Just Friends’’, in the Express Eye section, I don’t agree that Shah Rukh Khan is the biggest Indian star — Aamir is rated better than him. Just making fun of Aamir in public awards’ ceremonies doesn’t make Shah Rukh better. I agree we’ve seen lots of performances by Shah Rukh that are path breaking. But he has a long way to go. Besides, there is still Amitabh Bachchan. So, Shah Rukh is still two rungs from the top.
Vipin B
• I completely disagree that Shah Rukh Khan is the biggest star today. He is nothing in front of Amitabh Bachchan.
Andy
