Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Dr. Singh's remarks

The way the BJP and the Shiv Sena have reacted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks in the National Development Council — that the minorities, particularly Muslims, should have the first claim on national resources — is uncalled for. Dr. Singh's statement has unnecessarily been given a religious colour. It is unfortunate that at a time when the India-U.S. nuclear deal should have been the main topic of discussion in Parliament, the Opposition thought it fit to stall the proceedings over a non-issue.

Anjum Husain,
Aligarh

* * *

The Sachar Committee findings clearly point to the backwardness of Muslims. It was therefore only natural for the Prime Minister to show some concern for the community. What is the harm in talking about the need to uplift a backward community? The major Opposition party, which claims that it is not against Muslims, does not seem to tolerate even the proposal of a few concessions to eliminate their backwardness.

A. Mohamed Aslam,
Madurai

* * *

Dr. Singh's concern for Muslims is praiseworthy. It is now up to Muslims to utilise the opportunity. As for those who feel his legitimate concern is appeasement, one wonders what Muslims have gained from the so-called appeasement policy after 55 years. The Sachar Committee has found that their lot is worse than that of the SCs, the STs and the OBCs in many places.

Iqbal Khan,
Vaniyambadi, T.N.

* * *

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi has clarified that Dr. Singh was talking about all the disadvantaged sections having the first claim on national resources. One cannot help feeling that picking up stray observations or one-liners of celebrities and pillorying them have become a national pastime.

In impromptu expression of one's views, one cannot always be letter-perfect. If someone tries to explain himself, he becomes a sitting duck for a few more days and is accused of inconsistency, doing a volte-face, etc. This is an unfair and costly frivolity.

M.H. Rao,
Hyderabad

* * *

Dr. Singh's intentions in making the remarks might have been noble. But they are likely to be misinterpreted or viewed narrowly.

The Prime Minister represents all sections of society and it is his duty to instil faith and confidence in each one of them. Though he is duty bound to work for the uplift of the weaker sections, he cannot appear to do it at the cost of other sections. Such remarks are best avoided.

Naveen Marrapu,
Hyderabad

* * *

To try and resolve problems community/caste wise is reflective of a piecemeal approach. What we have today is failure of governance and there are reports that many districts are naxalite-affected. It would be better if the Prime Minister insisted on efficient governance instead of offering sops to a particular community. These hardly reach the intended targets anyway.

Aditya Gaiha,
Chandigarh

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