10 May 2005

Second Thoughts - 2

There are two parts to the Saptharishi story. His
  • allegations of 'casteist' remarks against Mr Tandon and Mr Gopalaswamy
  • allegations of 'extraneous grounds' factors in countermanding elections in Chapra
The second is more easily dealt with - make Mr Saptharishi's report public. Which brings me to a question - why doesn't the government use the net better - why doesn't it put all the information about the decisions they take out there? Let people know. But easier said than done.

As for the first, it is hardly inconceivable that such remarks were made. Our country is large, its people are diverse, and divisions between them are many. I'm sure such remarks, and remarks based on regional divides, religion, language and other individual peculiarities are made everyday in many a public office in the country - in jest, in seriousness, in malice, in good-humour. But while it is not inconceivable that two top officials whose essential quality should have been an indifference to such things made such remarks, it would be surprising if they aired such thoughs in an official meeting. They would have better sense that that I think. If such feelings influenced anything they did in their official capacity then it is sad. Whatever Lalloo has done, the EC is hardly the body to try to remove him from Parliament. Leave it to the people I say. But the people, oh, they keep putting him back. Again and again. And again.

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