• This refers to Seema Chishti’s ‘In defence of politics’. Chishti has elegantly explained the meaning of the word “politics”. The intelligentsia considers it a cesspool and disregards its importance. But the article elaborates on the complex and challenging nature of politics. If the intellectual class can understand the need of quality people in management, engineering and medicine, they should then also appreciate the level of intellect required in politics. And they shouldn’t stay away from politics either.

— Sidheshwar Tiwari

Nagpur

Soured old demands

• Power often induces amnesia. Nothing illustrates this better than the way the BJP’s political agenda has been tuned to a retrograde mode. Earlier, the party took an opportunistic position on the nuclear deal, forgetting Vajpayee’s legacy. And now, it has begun to talk of scrapping Article 370 once more — an irresponsible move given the criticality of the Kashmir peace process. Although Ayodhya had apparently been forgotten, one cannot trust deluded leaders smelling power in Delhi once more.

— Souresh Roy

New Delhi

Tread softly

• The BJP has been rightly advised not to raise controversial issues such as Article 370 and the uniform civil code. This is imperative if the BJP intends to keep the NDA united, with a view to winning the next general election. The BJP’s recent victory in the Karnataka assembly elections should make it formulate welfare-oriented local policies rather than mislead it into the old dream of becoming of a pan-Indian party. Thus should the BJP tread carefully on Kashmir and understand the sensitivities of the Kashmiri people.

... contd.