Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Fight against graft

Civil society activists have an important role to play in a democracy by taking up critical issues that are ignored by the political class either by default or by design. But the people at the forefront seem to be in a tearing hurry to change the status quo. They have adopted Gandhian methods to protest but seem to lack Gandhiji's patience and perseverance. Instrumentalism and incrementalism constitute the essence of democracy. Radicalism is incompatible with republicanism. Issuing ultimatums or threatening to raise an ‘army' will rob the anti-corruption movement of legitimacy and give an alibi for the government to suppress even peaceful protests as threats to national security. Destabilisation should not be the goal of sathyagrahis.

V.N. Mukundarajan,

Thiruvananthapuram

No one can bypass the Constitution which provides the legislature and the judiciary their right to discuss and finalise any law of the land. Surely, the wise legal advisers of the civil society group are aware of the Constitutional provisions. I am sure that with all the mounting pressure, this government will work on the Lokpal Bill without further delay.

S.N. Iyer,

Bangalore

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