The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Foreign origin

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 06, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Foreign origin

Sir, — The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's assertion that Ms. Gandhi's foreign origin would be the major election issue is in bad taste. The Supreme Court has held that Ms. Gandhi is a bona fide citizen of India. Perhaps, the BJP is not confident of winning the elections on a development plank. Hence, the need to create an artificial issue.

Shakil Ahmad,
New Delhi

* * *

Sir, — Finally, Mr. Vajpayee also could not resist raising the foreign origin issue. The BJP leaders started campaigning with the assurance that the elections would be fought on the basis of their performance and good governance. It appears that the party is lacking in conviction about its avowed performance.

T.T. Krishnan,
Chennai

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Sir, — The foreign origin issue is purely an election gimmick that lacks constitutional legitimacy. Statements promising legislation barring people of foreign origin from occupying high office are unfortunate.

Madhur K. Chaturvedi,
Dehra Dun

* * *

Sir, — The issue needs to be looked at dispassionately. There are genuine concerns in letting a foreigner who has only recently acquired Indian citizenship assume sensitive positions of governance, especially when the country is facing a serious threat to its integrity. There is also an emotional aspect of seeing a foreigner rule an ancient country.

Subramanyam Sridharan,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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