Letters to Editor

Vexed with corrupt netas

Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s editorial "Deconstructing the DNA of the Indian protester" (TSI, Aug 29- Sept 4) made for an interesting read, but I beg to differ with him at one point. The protestors were not duped by the booster doses of enthusiasm given by the television channels but were seriously impressed by the commitment of Anna Hazare towards weeding out corruption. We, the commoners, are haunted by 'babus' and 'netas', whom we frequently need to bribe to get our work done. If a septuagenarian can stand up against corruption, then why can’t we? This might be just a protest but we believe that someday, this protest will turn into a revolution and completely erase the stain of corruption from our democracy.
Anup Manchalwar,
Maharashtra

A threat to creative freedom

With reference to Prasoon Majumdar's “Line of Control” (TSI August 21-28), increasing moral policing of cinema needs to be condemned. It poses a great threat to democratic dissent and artistic creativity. Remember films like Ameer Ghareeb and 'Padosi' which spoke for the society, hitting hard at socio-economic evils like black marketing and communal riots. The recent protest against Aarakshan, which deals with the issues of caste and reservation, was ridiculous. Don't we require films that could discuss and debate sensitive socio-economic issues? Or is it that the moral police is more powerful than the censor board? Democracy flourishes where freedoms of speech and expression are appreciated. Discouraging such freedom would deepen social divides and breed public unrest. Unreasonable control over media and freedom of expression in the name of restoring public order and political stability will only lead us to a 'democratic disaster'.
Siciliamma T
Kochi

Not in gandhian spirit

While reading your article “Its important for Anna..."(TSI, Aug 22-28), the thought that crossed my mind was that revolution usually devours its own children. The comments made some admired members of team Anna that “Anna is India and India is Anna” and the calls to gherao the residence of the prime minister and other elected representatives do not seem to be Gandhian. Anna, though he is an inspiration for the youth, must realise that there is a thin line between democracy and anarchy. There cannot be any compromise on corruption but that should not be an excuse for taking an absolutist and unyielding stand while negotiating with the constitutionally elected representatives of the country. Also, by portraying Anna Hazare as a messiah, the media is inextricably linking the success of this mass movement on the shoulders of a single individual.
Manas Panda
New Delhi

Get rid of the fake
Your Special Story “Running for cover” (TSI, Aug 29-Sept 4) has brought to the fore the fake sport certificates racket, which is used by many to get employment and/or awards. To get rid of this, we need (a) Digitisation of all official records and making it available on the official website of every institution, (b) making police verification of the antecedents compulsory for all appointment in government sectors, and (c) those found guilty of producing fake certificate must be debarred for life from any government employment.
Jayanthi T Bhat
Kundalahalli, Bangalore

Protect the witnesses
The story ‘Graft getting murkier’ (TSI, August 22-28) illustrates the plight of the witnesses of a crime in our country. It is not an easy thing to be a witness especially in high profile cases in the face of threats, abductions and physical assault. A number of such critical witnesses also die under unexplained circumstances during investigations. And where cases run long, their ordeal too gets an unwarranted extension. Sustained threats can make a witness change his statements for the sake of his own protection and that of his family. As rightly concluded in the article, what we really need is a comprehensive witness protection programme. With several high profile personalities facing trials, it is genuinely the need of the hour.
Ila Das
Kolkata

Kudos to TSI
Kudos to The Sunday Indian for its bold views on corruption and civil society's agitation against it. Arindam's editorial “It's important for Anna to become more flexible..." (TSI, Aug 22-28), has rightly commented that Anna is one amongst those few who have dared to raise their voices against corruption in our system and has shown his concerns over the illogical Lokpal bill presented by the government which is nothing more than a mere tokenism. Arindam has wisely suggested that to give a bigger thrust to his movement, it’s important for Anna to become more flexible and respectful towards the democratic process. I feel corruption in India is a high-profit and low-risk activity. The anti-corruption laws are archaic. The anti-corruption agencies tasked with investigation and prosecution are not strong enough. The Jan Lokpal bill seeks to deal with this, creating an effective deterrent factor for the corrupt. It will not merely be an advisory body, but will have powers to initiate prosecution after investigations in a case. It will also have powers to initiate disciplinary proceedings against any government servant and will entertain complaints directly from the public and will have the power to register an FIR.
Gaurav
Ambala Cantt.

Making meaningful cinema
Apropos of "Salt of the earth" (TSI, August 22-28), Prakash Jha is one of the few filmmakers who believe in making films that have realistic themes. Unfortunately he is being pilloried for his films rather than being appreciated. In his interview he has made it clear that he is passionate about realistic cinema and that he likes to film stories that deal with serious issues. The hue and cry about his latest venture Aarakshan appeared to be wholly unwarranted and the Supreme Court has rightly pointed out that states cannot ban a film that has been cleared by the Censor Board. Jha's brand of cinema is the kind that not only visually stimulates the viewer but also gives him food for thought. Jha’s films deserve wider patronage by the audience.
Ramya Aravind
Bangalore

A strong man, not a hero

We need to admire Anna Hazare but refrain from making him a hero. His fight is unique and should be a reminder that we need to be tougher as citizens. But our concept of a hero is narrow and selfish. We made heroes out of people like Dhoni and A.R. Rahman and took pride for movies like Slumdog Millionaire. Anna Hazare is just like another human being. We all complained about the system but he went ahead to fight it. He did that without looking for glory. We need to improve as citizens and become more responsible. He is not a hero but a strong human being.
Sunil Melwani
Pune

A careful approach needed

This refers to the editorial "It is important for Anna to become flexible..." (TSI, Aug 22-28). While at present no one including the press dares to say even a word critical of the ways, means and methods adopted by Anna Hazare in his crusade against corruption and structuring of the Lokpal bill, Arindam Chaudhuri has come forward to counter some of the the methodology adopted by Anna which, in the long run, might lead the thousands of his followers, particularly the youth who are charged to the brim, to frenzied anarchy. Arindam never minces his words to call a spade a spade, come what may and this is what makes him stand tall among his peers! As rightly pointed out by him, crusaders of the stature of Jayaprakash Narayan or Anna Hazare in whom people have enormous faith that they would deliver, should realise that they have a great responsibility to achieve their lofty ideals not by whipping up passions and emotions in their followers which might lead to chaos, confusion and anarchy but  through their flexible approach which would never harm the constitution, democracy, parliamentary decorum and more importantly, peace!  Anna should realise that the people of our nation who are ready to join hands with him should not be misled.
Fiona Waltair
Chennai

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Suppressing the Advancement

Prasoon S. Majumdar's “Line of control” (TSI, Aug 22-28) was really a thought-provoking piece. It is a fact that our leaders use film-stars for their political interests. But the shame is that they also don't hesitate to favour the authority concerned to ban the films for the same interests. For they think that if the movie gets released they might lose their thrones. Thus, suppressing the truth has become a fashion. But the banning authorities must know that through  prohibitions they are raising people's attraction for the banned movies. And who doesn't know that pirated versions of the movies are available in the market? Besides, it becomes ridiculous when remains inactive in stopping the bad and harmful habits like discriminate plastic use, smoking etc. So, the govt. should be liberal in allowing the movies to be released so that the revolutionary elements can bring in a change in the society creating a massive public opinion. otherwise movie-banning will be equal to suppressing our social advancement.

Sukanta Koley
Hooghly, WB