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Kudos to Vinod Mehta for daring to put this in the public domain 'as-is' (All Lines are Busy, Nov 29). It was really shattering to see the names of the likes of Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi appearing in the published transcripts. I am all the more amazed at their ludicrous rejoinders and responses—they are clearly deluding themselves if they think this is a 'passing' phase and the public will forget (as it usually does). Whether their motivation to become 'high-stake players' was a simple case of 'feeding the ego' or based on 'material' expectations is beside the point. If they had any self-respect (forget journalistic ethics), they would resign from their positions till they clear their names.
SALEEMBHAI, RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
I always thought you were pro-Congress and am happy to have been proved wrong. It's surprising that all the pseudo-secularists are keeping a deathly silence. I always knew it; given a chance they will sell the country to the devil. The sad part is we will not be seeing Mr Mehta on some of the news channels anymore.
G. VISHWANATHAN, CHENNAI
These half-baked, small-minded wheeler-dealers run our government and our lives.
SUDHA, COIMBATORE
Bhai, is hamaam mein sab nange hain. Darwaza khologe to sab ka nangapan duniya ko nazar aa jayega (Everyone is naked in the bathtub. Open the door and the world will see their stark, naked reality).
ABBAS RUMANI, KUWAIT
These tapes have been released only after the Congress head honchos weighed the benefits. We know nothing moves in Outlook without the Congress high command's approval. They have thrown their loyal journos under the bus in order to ease media pressure on the 2G and other scams. Still, the people ought to be thankful. We now have confirmation of everything that we suspected. Next time we read Counterpoint, I hope Vir Sanghvi declares which party or corporate house has sponsored it!
ANKAN KUMAR, COLUMBUS, US
At least the politicians are brazen about their actions. These reporters hide behind columns, editorials and a permanent smile on TV #to fool the common man.
NICKY KUMAR, AURORA, US
So, the cat is finally out of the bag. But very few believe it would lead to even an attempt to cleanse the system. If indications so far are anything to go by, the Congress-led government seems determined to do everything possible to prevent a full disclosure of what went on behind the scenes. And if everything does ultimately come out in the open, brazen it out just as it did with Bofors.
SANDEEP SAHU, BHUBANESWAR
As a trenchant critic of Vinod Mehta and his sycophantic propaganda pamphlet, I was expecting a cover story defending the Congress and singing paeans to the 2G (Sonia G and Rahul G). But I must confess that this has caught me totally unawares. Though Outlook may not have been the first off the block, it still happens to be the only mainstream media outlet to have highlighted the nexus between media, lobbyists, politicians and corporate honchos. For that, I cannot believe I'm saying these words, kudos to Outlook and VM.
SRINIVAS, LUCKNOW
Outlook has proved that at least some parts of the media still have a clear conscience and are not party to a corrupt coterie.
AMITABH PANDEY, LONDON
Their heads firmly buried in the sands of arrogance, the Indian media continues to maintain a deafening silence on the issue. Oh, sorry, the Times of India has broken its silence, but only to sneer at us, dismissing this outpouring of public anger as a 2G scam sideshow.
MADHAV AJGAONKAR, NEW DELHI
Notice the conspicuous silence of the leading news channels, the same ones who huff and puff, scream and shout and take credit for everything, from medals in the Commonwealth Games to the timely arrival of the monsoon.
SUDHARSHAN, CHENNAI
With the kind of names involved, it's not surprising that yours is the only major media outlet covering the story. The others have obviously been gagged by their sources of advertising revenue.
TOM BOMBADIL, MUMBAI
All the media is in the hands of the upper castes and they are trying to tarnish the image of the Congress and its alliance partner, the dmk in Tamil Nadu. The cag report itself shows only a presumptive loss to the exchequer. There is no concrete evidence to show that the stakeholders involved in the transactions derived pecuniary benefits out of the distribution of 2G spectrum. The media is interested only in the Karunanidhi family and the rifts between the siblings, not in the work done by the Tamil Nadu government which other states would do well to emulate, be it the Re 1 per kilo of rice, free colour TVs and gas stoves or the slew of welfare schemes benefiting womenfolk. India Today placed Tamil Nadu third among all states for performance. The media war against them should not turn into a war on civilisation.
V.S. SANKARAN, MADURAI
Bravo Outlook and VM! Like many others, I have been a sceptic and disturbed with your magazine's openly pro-Congress content. But today I have transformed my 'outlook' towards Outlook!
KARTHIK, CHICAGO
Our journalists are finally in line to qualify for the much-sought-after Indian Corrupt Champions League (akin to the uefa Champions League in soccer). In essence, we have adopted the materialist philosophy of Carvaka—money is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Paisa phenk, tamasha dekh!
SIDDHARTH RAJKONWAR, DELHI
You have shown the entire political, journalistic, industrial class in a new light. This edition has given me a little (just a minuscule) hope. I will be watching you, Outlook.
PRAMOD, PHOENIX, US
An expose of this kind where the basic foundation of a democratic government is put to question should have had the whole of the media world and Opposition parties going hammer and tongs. Unfortunately, they are mum. What worries me is that nothing will change. A couple of weeks from now or maybe a month later, when our impotent rage has died down, things will be as usual.
A.K. SHARMA, ALLAHABAD
Having given us this exhaustive cover story, please tell us who young India should believe in?
PADMA BALASUBRAMANI, CHENNAI
I have been subscribing to Outlook almost since its inception but never have I read something like this. Listening to these tapes leaves every honest Indian depressed.
RAJI BHAKTA, CHENNAI
You may not realise this but what you have done today could have a significant impact on our country's future (hopefully a positive one).
ROVE KASPAROV, BOSTON, US
There is nothing in these tapes, except a little bit of education for people not having direct experience of governance in the states or the Centre. Why has Outlook suddenly decided to publish these tapes? Radia is neither a bureaucrat, nor a politician; she is in the business of public relations. Ever since the Raja scam became public, the ruling clan has been trying to cover its tracks. This is one such attempt—defocus on the Raja scam, enlarge the frame, divert the people's attention, discredit the media and establish the superior morality of Sonia Gandhi by citing these illustrations as proof of a "shrunken moral universe", of a "greedy and corrupt India".
M.L. GUPTA, DELHI
Finally, great journalism of the kind Indian Express displayed in 1975 when it wanted Indira Gandhi to step down following her manipulative election malpractices. The very same cabal is still with us—industrial groups, family conglomerates (Reliance, Tata, Birla, Mittal, Sterlite, Jindal, Nanda etc), political parties (SP, Congress, dmk and tdp in full, bjp in part), bureaucrats and now the very markets themselves (stock, telecom, bond, gold, land, building, farmland etc). Was Winston Churchill right then? "Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues and freebooters. All Indian leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political squabbles."
CALAHAS, ON E-MAIL
All we are going to be is the superpower of corruption.
SUDHA, COIMBATORE
I'd recommend that these tapes be made 'required hearing'.
RSM, DELHI
Is our electoral democracy in reality a sort of dictatorship of the corporates?
KASIM SAIT, CHENNAI
With so many shining stars on the cover, the Nov 29 issue was so bedazzling it almost blinded this reader.
RUPESH BHANDARI, AMRITSAR
Bravo, Outlook! You have challenged the entire political establishment, the government and the Opposition.
POPAT, MUMBAI
At this rate, I wonder if corruption will be the new graduation degree required to get into Parliament.
JAYANTHY SUBRAMANIAM, MUMBAI
This is a lesson in how 'cunning women' use willing males to do their dirty work.
PARTHASARATHY, CHENNAI
India's actually a wwe game, and only the naive believe that every single aspect is not fixed already.
VARUN GARDE, BANGALORE
Vinod Mehta's 'Editor' may yet be the best suited for senior positions in the media. He is loyal, has a bark and bite, stands no nonsense and is totally trustworthy.
V. KRISHNAN, PUNE
Radia is exactly the kind of lobbyist any sensible businessman would love to hire for doing business in India. One needs to look at the root cause that gives birth to such "fixers"—the corrupt babus and politicians in India. Can anyone get anything done in government circles without paying obeisance to their lust and greed? Besides, the media has become like the mafia. You can't point a finger at them (they'll discredit not just you but your entire organisation). However, when it comes to protecting one of their own, all the media rallies together. I don't have great respect for the Outlook editor but he's done something really good this time.
S.K.D., BANGALORE
Outstanding. I'd have paid Rs 10,000 for this issue.
HEMANTH RAJ, GLOUCESTER
India, the republic, is now on sale. We truly live in a 100% corrupt society.
BERLIN WILSON, SHEFFIELD, UK
Give them hell, Mr Mehta.
NARENDRA, HYDERABAD
I am not surprised that the leading newspapers have ignored these explosive tapes.
BHARAT, PUNE
Outlook deserves kudos for exposing the true colours of so-called apolitical independent journalists like Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi. By tearing off their mask of neutrality and revealing their abject promotion of Raja's cause with their sources at the higher echelons of the Congress party, Outlook has rendered their frequent pontifications on current affairs devoid of any merit or credibility. In this context, one appreciates Vinod Mehta for his transparent admiration for Sonia Gandhi and his preference for the Congress ideology. He is not a hypocrite like several other journalists.
P.N. RADHAKRISHNAN, ON E-MAIL
So now Vinod Mehta doesn't get called to sit on the panel of We the People! As a small gesture for your bold exposure, I have just taken a one-year subscription of your magazine!
B. ANUPKUMAR, KALPAKKAM, TN
Just listened to a few recordings involving Raja, Barkha Dutt, Vir Sanghvi and Ratan Tata. Prima facie, there seems to be a serious issue. Why should journalists and corporates try to facilitate ministry formation, or facilitate communication between parties etc? How does it matter to them if the Congress is talking to Kani or Dayanidhi or Karunanidhi or whoever? Why can't they just let the Congress and dmk talk in whatever way they want and decide on who gets what? Somewhere down the line, there is not just facilitating, but steering/influencing the direction in which things/ ministries will take shape. There seems to be an attempt to keep Dayanidhi out, and unfortunately Barkha and Vir (who are among the people I admire the most) seem to be cooperating or playing along—if not actively pushing for it.
KUMAR, BANGALORE
Barkha Dutt's professional integrity was always suspect as her partisan attitude was evident in her TV shows. However, I never suspected Vir Sanghvi to be a power-broker. His impish sobriety has turned out to be a pimpish one.
R.K. SUDAN, JAMMU
It seems a section of the media is worse than the oldest profession in the world. Listening to the conversations between politicians, corporates, fixers and journalists, I could not judge who was pimp and who the commodity. BD and VS come out as petty dalals (with due apologies to dalals; I cannot think of anything else to describe these two).
SAMIR RAI, LONDON
With this one act, VM's shown that he might be opinionated, but he is not partisan. As for the self-righteous Barkha and Vir, they might survive in journalism but their political career's ended. Of what use will they be to a party if they can't parrot the party line as the people's?
SRINIVAS, BANGALORE
It's comeuppance of a sort. The haste with which Barkha used to demean others, like her interview with Kapil Dev, putting words in his mouth and humiliating him, something like this was waiting to happen. And though Vinod Mehta admits he is a Congress stooge, with this story he has shot them in the foot.
VENKAT MAHALINGAM, SECUNDERABAD
What is surprising is Barkha Dutt still defends her actions on Twitter. It not only confirms her Congress bias, but also her bright future in that party. Don't be stunned if she gets a ticket in the coming elections or even a nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat.
MUTHUR RADHA, MELBOURNE
The nation's conscience-keeper has unfortunately prostituted itself to the highest bidder. At a time like this, it's sad that there is no opposition party which is clean and in a position to challenge a totally discredited upa.
DILIP MAHANTY, SYDNEY
Barkha Dutt once accused Arundhati of romanticising the Naxal movement. Now she says she was collecting information from Niira Radia, and not lobbying! What a romantic notion of journalism!
SALIM, KANNUR
Is Vinod playing Dr Jekyll?
K. SURESH, BANGALORE
Padmasri Barkha Dutt, we are happy you are exposed. It was long overdue.
RAJA, CHANDIGARH
Dear Barkha, I fail to understand how a journalist of your stature could even be involved as a messenger in the formation of a coalition government. I still remember you covering the war from Kargil. From that to this. You have let us down.
KAUSTAV, UTICA, US
Pathetic. However hard they might try to defend themselves now, Barkha and Vir will not be able to restore the people's trust in them. This is worse than paid news.
ARIJIT CHOUDHURY, DELHI
I used to read Vir Sanghvi's column like the Bible. Now I am going to read it more like satire.
S. RAGHUNATHA PRABHU, ALAPPUZHA
Day in and day out Barkha and Vir preach about anything and everything under the sun. If they had 0.001% self-respect, they would not show their faces in public ever again.
PRAKASH ADHYAPAK, BELGAUM
And so the noble profession of journalism gets reduced to a bare PR act!
K.V. RAGHURAM, WAYANAD
"Our wills and fates do so contrary run/That our devices still are overthrown." Sad indeed the colour of corruption, and the inclusion of Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi in the tangle. They have proved they are mere pawns on the chessboard of men who lust for power. Hamlet's time to say: Let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung...
UMA NAIR, NEW DELHI
Time Ranjan Bhattacharya stopped calling himself Vajpayee's foster son-in-law.
SANTOSH GAIROLA, TAIWAN
As a journalist whose work has been consistently and scathingly critical of the 2G scam and the former telecom minister, I was astonished, angered and hurt to see the baseless allegations against me in sections of the media and especially in this magazine.
While there is no doubt that journalists must be held to the same standards of accountability that we seek from others, the allegations made by Outlook against me are slanderous and not backed by a shred of evidence. The edited conversations between PR representative Niira Radia and me were misrepresented to suggest that I misused my role as a journalist to "lobby" for A. Raja, a man I have never met.
The strands of this debate need to be disentangled.
On the absurd charges of "corruption" and "lobbying", Outlook owes me an immediate clarification and an apology.
On the more nuanced debate around the practice of journalism and what could have been an inadvertent error of judgement, I am more than ready to introspect and learn.
While I cannot speak on behalf of the scores of other journalists on the tapes, I'd like to address some of the questions raised by the edited transcripts of my conversations.
- My few short conversations with Niira Radia (a few minutes of tapes that run into hundreds of hours) have NOTHING to do with the 2G scam. Not once in these conversations is there any reference to interceding on behalf of a minister or a portfolio. On what basis then does Outlook forcibly connect my conversations to an ongoing scam on its patently defamatory cover?
- By its very definition, the insinuation of "lobbying" implies either a quid pro quo of some kind or a compromise in how I have reported the story. As anyone who has watched my coverage of the 2G scam would know (all my shows on the scam and the government formation of last year are up on www.ndtv.com) to suggest either is baseless. The only "benefit" I ever got from Niira Radia was information on an unfolding news story.
- Since the published excerpts reflect neither tone nor context, Outlook has severely distorted the import of these conversations that take place in May 2009, when the dmk walked out of the upa government over portfolio allocation. Ms Radia was merely one among dozens of sources I spoke with. In this instance, I discovered that she was a useful source when she rang me up (oddly this conversation is not part of the leaked tapes) to say that the news running on different news channels was incorrect; the stalemate between the dmk and the Congress had not yet been resolved. She backed her claim by saying she was in direct contact with the dmk chief and was, in fact, with his daughter, Kanimozhi. We talked about news developments and nothing I said was different from what I was reporting on TV. Ironically, the one sentence being used to damn me—"Oh God, What should I tell them"—is, in fact, two separate sentences, neither of which are related to A. Raja or the telecom portfolio at all. The phrase "Oh God", was nothing more than a response to a long, tangential account by her on dmk leader T.R. Baalu speaking to the media out of turn. The excerpt, "What should I tell them", was in response to her repeatedly saying to me over several different calls that if I happened to talk to anyone in the Congress, I should ask them to talk to the dmk chief directly.
- As a matter of record, I never passed on any such message to any Congress leader. But because she was a useful news source, and the message seemed innocuous, I told her I would. At NO stage was I asked to carry any message regarding A. Raja or any other minister/portfolio. Had Outlook bothered to verify, corroborate and further investigate what they heard on the tapes—the intercepts are just raw material—they could have confirmed this for themselves. Ultimately, I did no more than humour a source who was providing me information during a rapidly changing news story.
- It is important to remember that in May 2009, none of us was aware of the present investigation against Niira Radia. Like most other journalists, I knew her professionally as the main PR person for the Tata Group. As journalists, we cannot always vouchsafe for the integrity of those we use as news sources. We concern ourselves primarily with the accuracy of the information. Similarly, our viewers should judge us on the independence and neutrality of our reportage.
- That said, did I make an error of judgement? Yes, looking back with the benefit of hindsight and with everything we know now, I believe I did. I realise now that even those of us driven purely by a deep passion for news need to be more cautious in dealing with sources, especially those who may have their own special interests. This controversy has definitely made me look at the need to redraw the lines and create more distance from those we seek information from. But while a wider debate on the media is always welcome in the quest for self-improvement, it must include a hard look at the way Outlook has irresponsibly questioned my personal integrity, and at what amounts to character assassination.
I refer to your issue of Nov 29, 2010. You have published my photo on the cover which touches on the 2G scam, implying that I am connected to the 2G scam. Let me convey to you that I have nothing to do with the 2G scam. My telephone conversations have nothing to do with the 2G scam. It is sad and distressing that Outlook would publish my photo on the cover highlighting the 2G scam and giving readers a very wrong impression that I am involved without verifying the facts.
There is one part of the taped record referring to land. This related to search for land for a not-for-profit NGO managed by my son, which organises sports coaching and training for the under-privileged—to set up an academy so that permanent facilities can be organised for such disadvantaged persons. The search continues without success so far.
TARUN DAS, GURGAON
I'm a journalist of 20 years standing and presently associated with the Times of India. I have built my career on sheer hard work, honesty and integrity. Whatever small name that I have earned among my colleagues and friends are on these grounds only.
Your magazine has come to enjoy wide readership on the premise of its professional integrity and objectivity. This image, which I too carried, took a beating when, to my horror and surprise, I found your Nov 29 issue carrying edited excerpts of alleged conversations between one Niira Radia, a lobbyist, and M.K. Venu, a senior business journalist, which on a bare reading conveys the idea that I entertain a partisan view against the side lobbied for by Ms Radia. It also projects that in this I share common intent with my brother, Arun Kumar.
Perturbed by the publication, I felt the need to cross-check this version with the contents of the alleged tape made available on outlookindia.com. To my consternation, I found the contents of the alleged conversation on the tape to be contrary to the edited version that was published.
For instance, at one point Niira says, "He (Prabhakar) is writing fairly good stories... but he is neutral". Mr Venu affirms this to a certain extent. Venu also tries to wriggle out towards the end on the alleged nexus between me and Arun, saying "at times they work together". Interestingly, M.K. Venu's assumption that Arun is working for the Hindustan Times is incorrect. Arun had left HT in August 2008, 11 months prior to this conversation. It's surprising that a magazine of your repute has chosen to edit an alleged conversation in a truncated manner, resulting in incalculable damage to my reputation.
Most of the alleged conversations of Ms Radia feature her directly talking to journalists. But her conversation with Venu also contains comments about others in the field of journalism. Mr Venu's comments could be biased, frivolous and factually incorrect. At best, they are hearsay opinion and therefore do not merit publication without at least seeking comment from the person being commented about.
Although all my articles are based on independent sources, I have always incorporated the reactions of all concerned parties before releasing the stories. More particularly on the feud between the two Ambani brothers, I have incorporated the views of all concerned, including the government.
PRABHAKAR SINHA, DEPUTY FINANCIAL EDITOR, TIMES OF INDIA, NEW DELHI
I am a journalist of 16 years standing, currently associated with the Economic Times as Editor, Mergers and Acquisitions. My reputation has been built on the strength of my honesty, integrity, objectivity and diligence in my field, and my colleagues and friends hold me in great esteem due to these very reasons.
It is my belief that your magazine also subscribes to these values and indulges in responsible journalism. It was therefore to my utter surprise and shock that I saw my name appear in the 'excerpts' of conversations between one M.K. Venu, senior business journalist, and Niira Radia (a lobbyist) conveying me to be a retainer of the side whom the lobbyist did not represent. The insinuation levelled is completely baseless, malicious and irresponsible as it has been published without seeking any verification/clarification from me or from independent sources.
The conversation published is edited and without context or perspective. It also fallaciously drags in the name of my brother, depicting an unwarranted nexus with him.
With regard to my position, I wish to clarify as under:
- The last story I wrote was in respect of Reliance Communications' intent to bid for mtn of Africa—Anil's Reliance eyes SA telecom major MTN—on May 2, 2008. The story was not only followed keenly by the national and international press but was also subsequently vindicated by the course of events.
- My non-partisan stance can be evidenced by my story on ril's Haryana sez—RIL takes IL&FS on board for Haryana SEZ—in the ET dated Sep 2, 2009, which also was ubiquitously followed and was proved veracious subsequently. This was my last story on ril till the date of the conversation with Ms Radia.
- Till date, not a single story or opinion has flown from my pen on the gas and 2G licence disputes.
ARUN KUMAR, EDITOR, M&A, ET
With reference to your story Niira, Of Two Eyes (Dec 6), we would like to clarify that while there was an attempt made to "give her version of these recent events", our polite refusal was not a licence to publish unverified, baseless innuendos. The publication of the transcripts of some purported conversations is without verification and authentication. Outlook, like a responsible media, ought to have confirmed the authenticity and the motivation of the sources who have leaked these conversations on a selective basis.
We are presently finalising our response on your aforesaid story, including legal remedies, to indicate that the story has been developed with a preconceived notion—to discredit Ms Radia. Hence, the limited response.
For example, Niira has been mentioned as sporting the name Nira Sharma which she never had! For the record, Sharma was the maiden surname of Niira's late mother Sudesh. The Foundation mentioned in the story—Sudesh Foundation—is in memory of her mother. This for obvious reasons does not find a mention as it may not have fit into the scheme and colour of the story so projected by the vested parties!
The story is the result of a vilification campaign at the behest of vested interests. Quite clearly, the malicious and misleading rumour-mongering seeking to find credibility through media reports is clearly a diversionary tactic to ensure that the real issues are not probed and investigated by the authorities.
The Portuguese were the most crass and brutal of all colonial powers. They saw it as their duty to ravage older civilisations and enforce a brutal, coercive regime of orthodox Christianity (Naval Gazing, Nov 29). The Iberian peninsula, home of the terrible Inquisition, was home to the primitive colonial zeitgeist of 'burn, rape and pillage'. The Portuguese were also the most delusional of the whole lot of colonial powers, they held on the longest to their 'possessions' in Africa, were kicked out from almost everywhere and, even in these post-colonial times, have never apologised for the barbarity of their uncivilised, Bible-thumping ancestors. It'll take more than a few Baroque and Gothic pieces of architecture to redeem Portuguese colonial rule.
SUKHVINDER S., YAMUNANAGAR
When a certain leader called Manmohan Singh "the weakest PM India has had", people were offended. But after all these scams, it looks like he's proved the man right.
SHAMAEL JAFRI, KHERI, UP
It's obvious the PM did not give the 2G spectrum scam the attention it deserved. Looks like he was beguiled into believing that all was well.
S. LAKSHMI, ON E-MAIL
If the prime minister does not take a tough stand against Karunanidhi and the dmk, he will never regain his honour.
VASANTH SRINIVAS, CHENNAI
If Manmohan Singh is squeaky clean, as the Congress makes him out to be, then the blame for the 2G scam should definitely go higher.
K. SURESH, BANGALORE
So many scams. It's time to refer to the upa as the Ultra Polluted Alliance.
LT COL SHANTI PRAKASH KARIR, ON E-MAIL
Unless elections are funded completely by taxpayers, corruption will continue. Winning elections needs funds, and parties gather money when they are in power.
DEEPAK, ON E-MAIL
I hope Manmohan quits, citing internal and external pressures. He'd better, or his image will be forever tarnished.
GOVIND K.G.D., ON E-MAIL
Manmohan as PM is convenient for the Congress and the corporate world. He lacks political authority because he derives his power from an appointing authority in the party. This is unprecedented in an electoral democracy.
SUDHIR PANWAR, LUCKNOW
Congrats, Outlook, for coming of age—giving a right-wing paper like Pioneer due credit for exposing the 2G scam.
P. HEDAOO, KUALA LUMPUR
Why are people surprised that the PM has been called upon to explain his silence on the 2G events? Are the President, PM, Sonia et al not Indian citizens; are they above the law?
NEHA GUPTA, ON E-MAIL
Scam after scam has shown our 'honest' PM is inept in handling large-scale corruption. Unlike during the N-deal crisis, his silence now will be seen as a deafening indictment of his oversight—even his collusion.
DR KARAN THAKUR, DELHI
Raja could not have acted on his own without the backing of dmk bigwigs and the Congress. Nothing is achieved by just sacking Raja.
A.B. BHIMAIAH, BANGALORE
Raja of the telecom ministry/Presumed it was his own industry/And with dmk as his fulcrum/He gave away all the spectrum/With no qualms about looting the country.
M.A. RAIPET, SECUNDERABAD
When the Maharashtra CM had to go, the high command chose a replacement. The same happened in Andhra. But in Karnataka, the national leaders of the bjp wanted the CM to go but the mlas decided otherwise and Yediyurappa had to stay!
SUNDARI MURUGAN, MUMBAI
To pre-empt criticism of his piece, R.K. Raghavan (Justice isn't Revenge, Nov 22) says "justice-bashing is a favourite pastime of many misguided citizens". But there's no universal or eternal definition of justice, which is contextual. In fact, it is the law and religion that have curbed, to a great extent, the savage in man. Punishment, or the fear of punishment, does deter crime. There may be some who will kill and not mind being hanged, but these will be exceptions. The inordinate delay and expense involved in getting justice in our country is denial of justice, anyway.
J.N. BHARTIYA, HYDERABAD
Heinous crimes not only affect the victim but also leaves many others wounded. Justice delayed will only make people sceptical of the judicial system. Pleading for mercy and divinity in such cases betrays an insensitivity towards the victim and his/her family.
SHIRIEN BHARATI, ON E-MAIL
The piece on Aung San Suu Kyi was timely (Not Quite A Mandela Moment, Nov 29). May she and her people taste real freedom one day. May exiled Tibetans, and Palestinians cooped up in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem also taste freedom.
DAVID ALBUQUERQUE, BRISBANE
To draw parallels between Mandela's release from prison and Suu Kyi's release from confinement is to obscure the context of the pro-democracy struggle in Myanmar. Mandela and Suu Kyi have both stood up for freedom and human rights. The comparison ends there.
SUNIL KUMAR, DELHI
I read the story of internment of ethnic Chinese during and after the 1962 war with my head hung in shame (How To Stay Silent In Chinese, Nov 29). We need to start the redemptive process by an apology.
ZAFAR, SYDNEY
All attempts must be made to integrate Chinese Indians into the mainstream. This is not only to redress past ills, but also as a fitting rebuff to one-party rule and Han authoritarianism in China.
T.C., LONDON
It pains and astonishes me that in the land of Gandhi, even at a time when Nehru was alive, such horrific treatment was meted out.
LT COL RANJIT SINHA, DELHI
The article on the misperceptions many in India have about our country's powers (Zero-Watt Smile, Nov 22) shows the obstacles that stand in India's way. Vociferous demands for a Security Council seat alone will not be enough. To become a powerful nation, one has to be powerful within.
NILOY ROY, DURGANAGAR, WEST BENGAL
Pakistan's vehement criticism of Washington's support for India is baffling. If human rights is the sole criterion for membership, then China, Pakistan's 'all-weather' friend, has no business to be a permanent member with veto power, given its horrid record with dissidents. And what about human rights violations by Pakistan within its territories, in tribal areas and in Pak-occupied Kashmir?
RANVIJAY S. YADAV, PUNE
Apropos of Parties Within Parties (Nov 29), it's funny that Outlook thinks that Stalin and his brother are coming together in Tamil Nadu. Is it to enhance some pet theory that the men have ganged up against the women?
PARTHASARATHY, CHENNAI
Are the Congress and the DMK really 'loyal' partners? Well, around 10 years back, the Jain Commission report on Rajiv Gandhi's assassination had blamed Karunanidhi, the DMK, and its activities as having a role in the event. At the time, the Congress had raged and even blocked Parliament on the issue. All that's forgotten today. It's sad that the dmk, created to advance social mobility, has come to represent crass nepotism.
SUNDARI MURUGAN, MUMBAI
The RSS seems to have reached a stage peculiar to big organisations after a long run (Crumpled Khaki, Nov 29). It has reached an ideological saturation point where ideas can't propel it forward anymore. Also, the RSS has to underwrite the political faux pas of its political alter ego—the BJP. The party's run in power has changed both organisations immeasurably—today they can't do without one another, yet are often an embarrassment to each other.
I am delighted that the itbp is raising a battalion of women commandos (Calamity Janes, Nov 22) especially as this will help reduce sexual harassment cases in areas of operation. Reminds me of the period when the Mizo National Front was fighting for independence (1966-86). The Mizos suffered severe rights violations, with women tormented the most. Incidents remained buried as Mizoram was cut off from the rest of the world. Had there been women forces then, such indignities could have been avoided.
As a denizen of the dosa capital of the country, I am battered at Anvar Alikhan's glowing certificate to two eateries of Bangalore (The Ultimate Dosa, Fine Living, Nov 29). Mr Alikhan should reserve his judgement till he tries out the dosas at these Chennai places—Dosa Calling (Kilpauk and Indira Nagar), Sangeetha (Adayar and RA Puram) and ID at Sathyam Cinemas (excuse the bland chutneys and sambar). As for idlis, your one and only destination should be Rathna Cafe at Triplicane.
G.C. SHEKHAR, CHENNAI
There is a place near Srirangam temple in Tiruchirapalli which serves pretty exquisite stuff. Then there's that small Udupi establishment across the road from Santa Cruz airport in Mumbai which does a good job too. And not to forget the mezzanine place near Venus More in Siliguri. Sorry, but all their names escape me.
GAURAB BANERJEE, CALCUTTA
There's no reason to believe anything that S.S. Ray said about Jyoti Basu (The Wind Has Followed Us, Nov 29). I think it came out of envy. When Basu died, a million people thronged to bid him farewell; only a few hundred came for Ray. Jyotibabu in his time allowed the newspapers to abuse him. Ray did not. I rest my case.
ARUN R., BANGALORE
So Jyotibabu, Bengal's longest serving CM, couldn't write Bengali! Of course, he addressed the state on radio on ceremonial occasions (Republic Day, for instance) for 17 long years. And look at the hypocrite—he stopped the teaching of English in government schools in Bengal, thus impairing whole generations of students.
SANKET BISWAS, CALCUTTA
In reference to Anvar Alikhan's Calcutta Diary (Nov 29). Neruda wrote 21 Love Poems and a Song Of Despair; not '.....A Desperate Song'!
NISHI, ON E-MAIL
Some more stupid reasons (for Anvar's safekeeping) for not marrying Bengali girls that can be dumped on us sometime later: they are submissive when you are courting them, but post wedlock they will terrorise you. What they say, they will never do, what they will do, they have never talked about. They think anything with a long handle is meant to club the husband with. They take 30 minutes to comb their hair, then tie it up in a stupid bun. They think if you don't like them, you're unromantic. Thank god Outlook's readers are not Bengali girls. They are all hooked to India Today.
S.K. BISHT, DELHI
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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