Your cover story on the young Indian voter was interesting (‘Young and restless… with the power to vote’, March 31). Most young people today seem to be happy with the BJP because its leaders are working more efficiently than leaders of previous governments. But does that mean everything the BJP is doing is justified? Certainly not. Even though many are divided along the lines of caste, religion and ideology, young people, especially in urban pockets, are not bothered by it. I credit the BJP government for successfully convincing a significant proportion of the population of their cause.
But I am strongly against the Union government’s attempts to rewrite Indian history and create a misleading narrative that every single Islamic structure has been built over an earlier Hindu structure. Hindus and Muslims are one and the same. Let us not divide them in this manner, please.
Mayank Chawla,
On email.
Today, young people are politically aware and conscious of their rights and duties. The notion that Modi mixes religion with politics is born out of pure jealousy. His close association with leaders of Arab countries is well-known. The unemployment factor, highlighted in the cover story, is perpetual with the growing number of young people in the country. That the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which was launched by the Modi government, has increased employment opportunities considerably is there for all to see.
On the whole, your cover story brought out the real assessment of India’s progress, vouchsafed by the youth, barring a few who are pessimistic.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
Your cover story on the young Indian voter was bang up to date. The invincibility of the BJP in India’s political landscape leaves little choice for voters as options are few and far between. The nearly extinct political parties such as the Congress, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party, which earlier ruled the roost, have now been relegated to the backbench.
The outcome of the general elections will meet the same fate as in Russia where Vladimir Putin emerged as the undisputed leader. I will not be surprised if the BJP wins the general elections with a massive margin and Narendra Modi rules the country for a third term.
Tanmay Mehta,
Lucknow.
I am a great admirer of THE WEEK’s cover illustrations and designs. But I was disappointed with the cover image in the issue dated March 31. The illustration is not really a representation of the youth, in dress or feature.
Further, I take strong objection to showing the cycle rickshaw as a mode of transport. It has disappeared in most of the country and has been replaced by the e-rickshaw.
It is a matter of great pride that cycle rickshaws are now uncommon on the streets. For me it is one of the positive advances of last 10 years.
Goutam Sen,
Jaipur.
The cover illustration by Binesh Sreedharan was superb and evocative, representing young Indians in both their optimism and their anxieties.
I also like illustrations by Job P.K., B. Bhaskaran and Deni Lal. They bring alive, sometimes startlingly, the meaning of your columns. I greatly admire their work.
Usha Aroor,
Bengaluru.
The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal will have an impact on the election campaign of the AAP in Delhi and Punjab.
Leaders of the AAP are definitely playing the victim card. The entire opposition is today on the defensive on the issue of corruption. Kejriwal committed a huge strategic and legal mistake by not responding to the summonses by the Enforcement Directorate. So he will have to bear the brunt. If Kejriwal was questioned in November, he would have got bail soon.
Govind Rao Rotti,
On email.
Why go for ONOE?
One Nation, One Election is not required. This whole drama is uncalled for (‘Five-year plan’, March 31). It is not going to be easy to hold elections to all three tiers of government at the same time. There will be chaos everywhere. ONOE is suitable for smaller countries like Pakistan, which votes together for national and state legislatures.
If elections are held in the manner that Ram Nath Kovind’s report has recommended, it will marginalise regional concerns, which is not healthy sign for a thriving democracy like ours. Fixed tenures, across different states, will go against the spirit of parliamentary democracy. The fear now is if Modi comes back to power, ONOE will become a reality.
Nandagopal Rajan,
On email.
Want Rahul as PM
I desperately want to see Rahul Gandhi get elected as prime minister. It has been such a long wait (‘On the march’, March 31). It is wrong to label Rahul as a good-for-nothing leader. Give him a chance, and see the difference. Rahul will make for a better prime minister. And he is far more smart and articulate than Narendra Modi. You need to be polished and refined when you speak with global leaders on global platforms, and Rahul will do a better job of it. He also is clear in what he says.
Sriparna Basu,
On email.
Suresh Gopi will win
It was surprising to see actor and politician Suresh Gopi in your Party Snacks (March 24). He is sure to win the Thrissur constituency. The more ridicule that comes his way, the better it is for him. Despite losing in 2019, Gopi has provided assistance to people in Thrissur on a scale that even the present MP from Thrissur has not done.
A crowd puller, Gopi will become a Union minister during Narendra Modi’s third term at the Centre.
R. Sairam,
On email.