The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Visa row

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Visa row

Sir, — It is laughable to see Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi crying murder of democracy merely because he has been denied a visa to enter the United States. A Chief Minister who was barely three years ago accused of the most flagrant violation of constitutional and democratic ideals is now invoking the honour of the entire nation and that of "five crore Gujaratis" just because he has been given a taste of his own medicine.

V. Sumeet,
Ahmedabad

* * *

Sir, — If anyone has insulted India, it is Mr. Modi — by continuing in office despite the 2002 Gujarat riots. By denying a visa to him, the U.S. has done a good thing in a long time.

S. Srinivas,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.

* * *

Sir, — While the Centre should be praised for taking up the issue with the U.S., the situation arising out of the denial of visa should in no way be seen as downplaying the excesses committed by the Modi administration during the riots. It is certainly not an insult to India or its pride; rather it should be taken as a dent on India's image as a secular country caused because of having inadequately responded to the cries of the victims.

B. Sarath Babu,
Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — The UPA Government should let the matter be, lest it should shatter the confidence of the minorities with whose support it was able to come to power.

Mohammed Taher Osmani,
Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — Mr. Modi is well known for generating sympathy and we as a nation should not fall prey to his tactic. The Gujarat Government, under his leadership, not only failed to contain the riots but also fuelled anti-Muslim sentiment.

V. Ajit Subramaniam,
Coimbatore

* * *

Sir, — How can the U.S.' move be deemed an insult to the Indian Constitution? Is travelling to the U.S. a constitutional right?

Air Commodore (retd.) V.V. Nair,
Alappuzha, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — For three long years, the nation has let Mr. Modi be. The dismissal of the Modi Government alone can restore the dignity of the nation.

Atoofa Nasiha,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — By denying visa to Mr. Modi and citing the reason for the denial, the U.S. Government has brought a smile to the faces of the victims of the Gujarat violence and the secular-minded citizens of India. What the Gujarat voters failed to do to Mr. Modi, human rights activists and Washington have done — cut him to size.

A.A.H.K. Ghori,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The editorial, "A slap in Mr. Modi's face" (March 19) is apt and timely. Mr. Modi presided over one of the worst ethnic cleansings of post-Independent India. I am glad that even though a deadlier version of Mr. Modi is ruling the roost in the U.S., the Americans have decided to make an example of him.

Chitrabhanu Thekkedath,
Secunderabad

* * *

Sir, — The U.S.' denial of visa to Mr. Modi is no doubt a slap in his face. Had Mr. Modi, who is now crying foul in the name of the Constitution, even a fig leaf of faith in the secular spirit of our Constitution, the riots would not have occurred. Yet there is a curious irony of the pot calling the kettle black when it is the George Bush administration that denies visa to Mr. Modi.

K. Ramachandran,
Kannur, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — By taking such a step, the U.S. has given a positive signal to Muslims worldwide that its fight against terrorism does not mean lack of concern for common Muslim masses. We must appreciate the firm stand of all the American Congressmen who sent a letter to the U.S. State Department with a strong recommendation that Mr. Modi be refused a visa.

Kancha Ilaiah,
Denver, U.S.

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