The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Unwanted politics

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Friday, Aug 01, 2008
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Unwanted politics

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj’s allegation that the Ahmedabad and Bangalore blasts were a conspiracy by the Centre to divert attention from the cash-for-votes scandal and to consolidate Muslim votes is very unfortunate. At a time when the Gujarat police are risking their lives to defuse live bombs and the Prime Minister and other leaders are appealing to the people to maintain peace and communal harmony, such statements are uncalled for. They will serve to add fuel to the fire of insecurity. Although the BJP has distanced itself from Ms Swaraj’s remarks, it has failed to condemn them, which exposes the party’s thinking.

S. Nallasivan,

Tirunelveli

* * *

The concern expressed by Ms Swaraj is quite worrying — not because it is true but because it has exposed that political organisations do resort to such practices to divert the people’s attention. This reflects the sad state of democratic affairs to which our country ascribes, where the poor who elect their representatives themselves fall victim to their designs.

C.K. Raju,

Thrissur

* * *

As a senior leader of the main Opposition party, Ms Swaraj should have stood by the government at the crucial hour to fight the common enemy. Or, she should have kept quiet. Reiterating that she stands by her statement is worse than the original instance of making it. She owes an apology to the nation.

A. Jainulabdeen,

Chennai

* * *

Leaders never realise that politicising acts of terror will only help terrorists divide the country on communal lines. The party which was in power when terror struck Parliament and Gujarat burnt has no moral authority to criticise the UPA government saying it is soft on terror. Terrorist acts take place under all governments and innocent people are always the victims. The best our political leaders can do is to stand united and exercise the needed political will to tackle the menace.

Ashwani Sharma,

Ghaziabad

The discovery of a spate of live bombs in Surat is a matter of great anxiety and concern. Allegations and counter allegations by political parties will not pave the way for a solution. Terrorism is a menace and it can be eradicated only by a collective endeavour.

Waqar Usmani,

Aligarh

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