Opinion Double standards

* This refers to the editorial ‘Bad and worse’ (IE, March 19). While politicians routinely cross the line criticising the media, it is also true that planted and motivated stories masquerading as “news” can seriously damage their electoral prospects. The media have come to believe that they are always right and should not be questioned. Some in the media also use their ability to make or break political careers as a bargaining chip. By threatening to boycott Arvind Kejriwal, the News Broadcasters Association has been exposed as unwilling to exercise its powers to criticise in the proper way. Seen in this light, its anger at Kejriwal’s criticism is curious. The media preaches what it does not practice.
— Kiran Yadav
Etah

* Arvind Kejriwal may be incensed at the perceived change in the media’s behaviour, which played favourites and made no bones about the fact that he was their blue-eyed boy. But Kejriwal’s continuous and constant double speak on many issues forced the media to take an objective view and hold a mirror up to him. This rattled Kejriwal no end and resulted in his illiberal utterances about jailing mediapersons if he comes to power. The News Broadcasters Association’s reaction was churlish to the core, just as it was unbecoming of a leader to talk in the extreme, dictatorial way that Kejriwal did.

— Ashok Goswami
Mumbai

Spreading the net

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* There appears to be a move on the part of some high-profile leaders to contest the Lok Sabha elections from two constituencies. This is a ploy to ensure that they win at least one constituency. Though this trend is not new, and is allowed by the extant legal provisions, it is undesirable. If a candidate wins both constituencies, he will have to vacate one of the seats and by-polls will have to be held for the other seat. Such a move will result in additional expenditure on the part of the candidates and government. Why should this be allowed? Why should the government have to incur additional expenditure? It might be better to simply declare the runner-up the winner if a seat is vacated.
— V.S. Jayaraman
Chennai

Need of the hour

* This refers to the editorial ‘1963, still’ (IE, March 19). The BJP’s denouncement of the UPA for keeping the Henderson Brooks report under wraps is a farce. Why did the BJP not make the report public when it was in power? The BJP must not politicise the issue. The core need of the hour is to debate and narrow in on a universal declassification policy for governments in India.
— R.K. Kapoor
Chandigarh