Letters to the Editor: Dr Kafeel Khan should be compensated and PM’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on toys

PM, think before you speak

PM Narendra Modi is possibly the only head of government who speaks on everything authoritatively. As PM of a large country like India, he is certainly expected to speak on subjects as varied as agriculture, science and space besides the economy, health and education. But after six years in the office, it is time for his advisors to ensure that he speaks more like a statesman and less like a subject expert. Let him speak on policies and performances of his government. But almost from the very beginning he has utilized speaking opportunities to make over-the-top suggestions, unscientific claims and often like a street-smart politician.

Public memory is short but people may remember the PM telling scientists how he was witness to a tea stall vendor using ‘gas’ from a drain to light his oven. He has advised farmers and students on how to do farming and how to prepare for examinations. While demonetising currency, he passionately spoke of how it would eliminate terrorism and black money and lead to a cashless economy. And in his latest Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, he waxed eloquent on how India can become a global hub of toys and computer games.

Surely somebody in the PMO could have informed him of the difference between toys and gaming. And also how the western world and China have been active in both fields for the last several decades. He did make a good point when he said that toys and games should dip into the vast indigenous stories and myths. But he missed two crucial points. One, people need a surplus income to invest in toys and games. And two, vocational education and computer education in schools remain the key to the future.

At a time when Indians are staring at loss of income and jobs, when they are dipping into their savings to make ends meet, talking of toys sounded frivolous and insensitive.

A frustrated citizen

Compensate Dr Kafeel
The belated order by the Allahabad High Court to release Dr Kafeel Khan after 200 days in prison is welcome. What is worrying is that it took the court so long to see that there was no case against the doctor to imprison for incarcerating the doctor. Yes, he had delivered a speech and yes he had criticised the Citizenship Amendment Act. Yes, he had referred to the RSS and to the Union Home Minister in his speech. But to spend 200 days in jail for no crime is unacceptable. He is not alone. The police, courts and the Government are equally guilty of allowing people to be imprisoned under draconian laws for most minor of ‘offences’. They are meant to serve as a warning to others and is actually extra-judicial punishment without any trial. The lawmakers and the people must agitate for a law that makes police officers and even judicial officers to pay compensation for wrongful confinement.

Seema Pal

Corporate socialism

The Indian private sector swears by free trade but cannot do without govt help. It is fashionable for the industrialists to say that the govt has no business to be in business. But they do expect the govt to hold their hands, protect them from competition, impose import duty whenever required, give them tax exemptions, waivers and financial stimulus besides writing off their NPAs. Indian industrialists favour socialism for themselves and capitalism for the rest. Last year’s tax cuts were expected to stimulate investment and production. But while the corporates merely improved their bottomline, they continue to sit over a pile of cash. They should be allowed to function without govt help.

Prayag Ram

War and Peace

I am a senior citizen and clearly remember the wars India fought in 1962, 1965 and 1971. I remember the blackouts, the night patrol by civil defence volunteers, the ominous sirens, the sight of troops and trucks moving to the border and the body bags that returned. I of course remember Kargil , which was the first time I found men in uniform spouting political statements. I have increasingly been convinced that wars are engineered to serve political interests of a small coterie and to keep the nuts and bolts of the armament industry moving. Even a poor, financially bankrupt country like ours seems to be engaged in an arms race. It is strange that in the land of the Mahatma, peace has become a dirty word.

Veena Michael Lal