Not a success
The India Against Corruption movement was quite novel and had a deep impact on Indian politics. What began with a bang fizzled out soon, after a few members lost track of the principles on which the movement was formed and found space in the political sphere. So only they are to be blamed (‘A spring to remember’, April 18).
Though the Narendra Modi government has had no corruption charges against it, corruption continues to permeate every sphere of life in India.
I do not agree with Arvind Kejriwal that the Aam Aadmi Party’s success established the IAC movement. The AAP is just like any other political party in the country. And, Kejriwal, like any other politician.
Suresh Reddy,
On email
The IAC could not fulfil the demands made by middle-class and educated young people. The AAP, which was formed soon after, has become a butt of jokes, especially in south India, where it had a lot of scope to grow.
Binoj Mathew Chandrathi,
On email.
Kejriwal may have many virtues, but even if he washes his conscience with all the perfumes of Arabia, will he be able to come clean? Will people forget how he betrayed his guru (Hazare), and the common man?
Would it not have been better if the AAP was not formed and the IAC remained a watchdog in Indian politics? Let us not forget what Hazare once said, “My next agitation will not produce another Kejriwal.”
Dilip Gurjar,
On email.
Soni Mishra did a good job with the cover story, and she interviewed some of the active players during the IAC movement. However, it would have been better had she also interviewed Shanti Bhushan, Santosh Hegde, Kiran Bedi, Baba Ramdev and Kumar Vishwas. This would have given a 360-degree view of the crusade.
Mahesh Joshi,
On email.
Thank you
I have been reading THE WEEK for long. While various other media organisations have been spreading fake news, your magazine has succeeded in keeping itself unbiased and has become the most reliable news publication to know about political and social happenings.
I especially liked the recent column by R. Prasannan on the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (‘Amendments to NCT Act a farce’, April 11). He explained it so well, with a bit of history thrown in.
Ashok Sharma,
On email.
Care for wild animals
Air pollution, global warming, mounds of filth are affecting biological systems on the planet (‘Wild and dirty’, April 11).
Wild animals are forced to live amidst all the waste. Entanglement, ingestion and choking caused by plastic lead to starvation. It also carries pathogens that cause various diseases, affecting reproduction in animals.
Sunil Chopra,
On email.
Your article portends the great tragedy that is staring at wild animals and the environment due to plastic pollution. Inadequate management will aggravate the impending disaster.
The reference in the article that India generates 9.46 tonnes of plastic waste annually appears to be incorrect. I have read that India generates around 15 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, which seems to be close to the reality. And, unfortunately, only one fourth of the same is recycled.
K.V. Dharmarajan,
On email.
Safeguard values
I felt happy after reading Last Word by Shashi Tharoor (‘Updating the Kerala model’, April 4).
Tharoor has not forgotten to highlight the state’s vibrant civil society, free media, competitive political system and robust form of social democracy, which contribute to the uniqueness of the Kerala model.
People of Kerala should uphold the socio-cultural values safeguarded over decades.
Besides repeated hartals, political crimes should also come to an end in the state in a new political environment.
Joyson Kolenchery,
On email.