The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : RSS praise for Indira

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Friday, Jun 24, 2005

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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

RSS praise for Indira

Why is RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan's praise of Indira Gandhi " yet another command centre barb" aimed at the BJP's weak leadership (editorial "Indira Gandhi as parivar heroine," June 23)? I think one can be a bit more generous to Mr. Sudarshan. He might have meant what he said. Indira Gandhi was perhaps our strongest and most courageous Prime Minister. That Mr. Sudarshan did not condone the Emergency is significant. But it certainly does not mean his admiration for Indira Gandhi is limited to her so-called "partition" of Pakistan.

Col (retd.) C.V. Venugopalan,
Palakkad, Kerala

* * *

The editorial is just a play of words around statements made in a particular context. The Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi was in her interest, and not in the interest of the country. It was she, more than anyone else, who stymied a country of great human capital and vast natural resources from growing into a genuine economic superpower. But the most damaging part of her legacy was not the bureaucratic behemoth she created; it was the system of donations to political parties by big industrial houses, allegedly for electioneering.

Valayath Hari,
Hyderabad

* * *

And now Mr. Sudarshan's approbation for Indira! His praise is nothing but fulsome praise or a slip.

M. Somasekhar Prasad,
Badvel, A.P.

* * *

The RSS chief's praise is exaggerated. It is true that Indira Gandhi had certain admirable traits. But her utterly visionless handling of the economy, perpetration of dynastic rule, frequent doses of worthless populism, and, above all, making her partymen unchallengeable masters in the art of sycophancy are all part of the legacy she left behind.

Her scant regard for democratic decency, constitutional dignity, and political propriety would impress no genuine lover of democracy and freedom. As for her `heroic martyrdom,' it was the culmination of her political machinations. Mr. Sudarshan could have chosen a better way of snubbing Mr. Advani.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman,
Coimbatore

* * *

Despite India's victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan under her leadership, Indira Gandhi was a deeply insecure person. She was neither a visionary nor a mature stateswoman. It was her circumstances that made her great.

Chitrabhanu Thekkedath,
Secunderabad

* * *

There has never come in Indian polity a leader who could match Indira Gandhi's diplomacy, sagacity, intelligence, willpower, amazing boldness, and presence of mind. That the iron lady gave sleepless nights to even the resident of the White House is amazing. The Emergency was no doubt a black chapter but there are many disciplinarians who call it the golden period. Mr. Sudarshan's praise was certainly not misplaced or exaggerated.

Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai

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