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Widespread protests

It was a bold decision on The Hindu 's part to have carried the article "George Bush go home" by Arundhati Roy (Feb. 28). As a reader of over 30 years, I am proud the newspaper echoes the voice of the common man.

V.M. Rafathullah,
Ambur, T.N.

Let us rally behind Ms. Roy, a relentless crusader for human rights. Merely because America provides wealth and comfort for a large number of talented Indians, it does not mean that we should prostrate before that nation. Might is not right.

I cannot forget Ms. Roy's courageous fight for the tribals displaced by the Narmada Dam and her braving contempt and going to jail. Cheers to Ms. Roy in her fight against imperialism and to boycott Bush campaign. She deserves the Nobel Prize.

N.G.R. Prasad,
Chennai

The widespread protests against Mr. Bush's visit show that he is a much-hated person. The opposition to him is not confined to India but has become a global phenomenon. America wants to establish cultural, political and economic hegemony over the entire world. Other nations should not let it happen, come what may!

Syed Ali Safvi,
Srinagar

On the one hand, Mr. Bush sees himself as a model upholder of peace and freedom and, on the other, refuses to conform to and respect international law. India has several hypocritical politicians of its own. We do not need Presidents of other countries to come here to give us lessons on how to manipulate.

Poorvi Hattikudur,
Chennai

Mr. Bush's popularity rating in the U.S. is 36 per cent, an all-time low. The person who is isolated in his own country and the rest of the world has been hailed as a hero here. The entire country has been put to shame by our overzealous rulers and sections of the media in their bid to please him.

R. Ramesh Sundar,
Chennai

The protest by CPI(M) leaders carrying placards saying "Barbarian Bush Go Back" is outrageous. Mr. Bush is an elected leader of a democracy. Let him be the devil incarnate. But we believe in giving the devil its due.

If the Left feels the invitation to Mr. Bush amounts to disrespect for Parliament, it should fight it out in Parliament and not take to the streets.

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

The protesters are holding Mr. Bush responsible for what he did in Iraq and Afghanistan. Are we then for the Taliban and its ilk? Do we want more planes to be hijacked? Now is the opportunity for the BJP as the major Opposition party to support the Government and ensure that it is not destabilised by its own supporters.

N. Gopalan,
Bangalore

What is wrong with the Left parties? They are unhappy when a nuclear deal is signed, when the Sensex moves up, when there is talk of private participation in infrastructure development, large-scale computerisation, etc. Their latest move seems to be a crusade to arm Iran with nuclear weapons.

N. Yateesh Parikshit,
Guntur, A.P.

We should not let our emotions override reason. Aristotle's Golden Mean (a middle state, determined by practical wisdom that emphasises moderation) should help us take a balanced view of issues, including Mr. Bush's visit to India. We should neither support his policy in Iraq nor take to the streets vilifying him and his presence in India.

It is perfectly possible to take a middle path of accepting his hand of cooperation on many matters, and at the same time expressing our opposition to the use of force as the only way of settling international disputes.

Joshua Kalapati,
Chennai

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