•Omar Abdullah has set a high moral standard by resigning as Jammu and Kashmir chief minister (‘Omar quits...’, IE, July 29) over the opposition’s allegation that his name figures in the CBI chargesheet about the 2006 Srinagar sex scandal. Ultimately, the issue rests on transparency and openness in administration and due processes of law. The truth of the matter must be brought to light by the law. Meanwhile, Abdullah has taken a bold decision.

— R.J. Khurana

Bhopal

Just like us

•One has to be reminded of other democracies in order for us to function as a democracy (‘Lal batti district’, IE, July 29). Two episodes, one involving the son of then-British PM Tony Blair and the other involving then-US President George W. Bush’s daughter, about use of illegal substances come to mind. Neither Blair nor Bush brushed the matter under the carpet but allowed the law to take its course. Further, President Obama’s admission that he made a “stupid remark” following the Henry Louis Gates arrest is exemplary. Our leaders ought to shake off their feudal mindset and adjust to the reality of the aam admi.

— M.K.D. Prasada Rao

Ghaziabad

Tread cautiously

•In linking Mamata Banerjee’s opposition to the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill to her politics you have failed to take stock of her rationale (‘Property rights’, IE, July 28). The act was meant for land acquisition for a public purpose. There’s always the danger of the law being misused if the land is made available for setting up private industry. Such practices may be common in authoritarian China, but democratic India needs to be more circumspect.

... contd.