Opinion Caste tools

With a political leadership that believes more in vested interests than principles and ideals,the casteism at the official level (census) will only strengthen...

The Indian Express

May 14, 2010 03:03 AM IST First published on: May 14, 2010 at 03:03 AM IST

This refers to K. Subrahmanyams Interrogating the caste census (IE,May 13). With a political leadership that believes more in vested interests than principles and ideals,the casteism at the official level (census) will only strengthen the reactionary and obscurantist forces in our society. The politician is least interested in improving the living standards and status of backward groups as hes never stood for education and economic stability of the weaker sections. He has rather enjoyed spreading the venom of caste hatred and instigated communal riots in the name of social justice and equality.

Caste identification in the 2011 National Census,howsoever factual it may be,is bound to become a scandalous tool in the hands of unscrupulous politicians.

Ved Guliani Hisar

No room,no debate

Much as Mihir S. Sharmas Partying shots (IE,May 13) is timely,Im afraid it puts the cart before the horse. How many Indian political parties are democratic in their functioning? Certainly not the Congress. It long ago became a dynastic party,once Indira Gandhi took over the reins after cracking the Syndicate. Thereafter,the party didnt look back.

The DMK,RJD and SP are there not to question their respective supremos but to ensure that their family and personal interests arent jeopardised; and if there is any kind of ideology its rooted in the party founders vested interests. In a nutshell,ideology is subordinated to declared and undeclared vested interests of the bosses. The Left parties remain totalitarian through and through. Unless this wholesale degeneration in political values is arrested,the space to debate policy will be an empty dream.

M.K.D. Prasada Rao Ghaziabad

Carry on

Though Jairam Ramesh betrayed indiscretion and lack of ministerial responsibility in his criticism of the home ministry on foreign soil,his resignation for this lapse has been rightly rejected. Given his knowledge,he is the fittest person to head the ministry of environment and forests at a time when climate change and green revolution have become critical issues. He did a splendid job in Copenhagen and has been effective,to the point of hurting vested interests,in checking the reckless exploitation of forests. He is sharp,has learnt his lesson,and it is right that he will continue.

Y.G. Chouksey Pune

Felled icons

Sandeep Dwivedis Caribbean lesson (IE,May 13) hits the nail on the head. It rightly summed up the actual reasons for Indias early exit from the World T20. The analysis of some of the best innings in IPL 3 exposed the lack of quality bowling in IPL. Barring a few occasions,there was no world-class cricket in IPL.

Manoj Parashar Greater Noida