Letters to the editor: Good that IAC takes a break

Good that IAC takes a break
Apropos the report “No more exposes by Kejriwal for now”. The anti-corruption crusader must be appreciated for his efforts to expose the corruption by some politicians and those well-connected to people in high office, and to now concentrate on building the party. He has done much in recent days to spread awareness among the common people about the all-pervading disease of corruption, thus also showing how all political parties are linked when it comes to such malpractices. Any more of these sensational exposes could lead to fatigue among people and they might just lose interest by the time of the general elections. What India Against Corruption must also do in the period leading up to the elections, is to build public pressure on all political parties not to field criminals elements as candidates, so that money and muscle power do not decide the outcome of elections.
—Arunchandra, Deonar

Campaigner with a comic touch
Jaspal Bhatti may not have been as big an activist as Arvind Kejriwal, but the 57-year-old actor-director was the most intelligent comedian in India. He was always thinking about the burning issues of the day and how to bring out the truth through with his comic touch.  Who can forget his satirical shows, ‘Ulta Pulta’ and the ‘Flop Show’. Or, the road show he undertook, garlanded with vegetables when the prices soared. And when he mounted a horse from his house to office, to raise his voice against rising fuel prices back in 2000-2001. He didn’t have any political ambitions and so his satire had a bigger impact on people.  It’s a pity that such a gentle comedian and actor-director, who made his way into the hearts of the aam admi, was killed in an accident on his way for the promotion of his film “Power Cut”. It is yet another satire on the frequent power cuts in the Punjab. The man made us laugh. We are in tears as we mourn our loss. May he rest in peace.
—Bidyut K Chatterjee, Faridabad 

II
Within a few days of the passing away of Yash Chopra, the king of romance, we are shocked by the sudden death of the king of comedy, Jaspal Bhatti, in a tragic road accident. This is a big loss to the world of creative entertainment. The inimitable Bhatti was never cheap in his comic presentation, unlike some of the shows that we witness today. He had his own style of taking satirical digs at the contemporary political and social situation in his show “Ulta-Pulta” and the “Flop Show” that attracted a large viewership on Doordarshan for many years. The void left by his death cannot be filled. The world of comedy will never be the same. RIP king of comedy.
—M C Joshi, Lucknow

Don’t waste time over Kasab plea
With reference to the report on the Home Ministry’s rejection of Ajmal Kasab’s mercy plea, it is hoped that now the president will act on this quickly and let the Supreme Court’s death sentence go ahead against the sole surviving terrorist of the horrendous 26/11 attack on Mumbai.  Why should the president show any mercy to such persons who killed so many innocent people in India. Their intention was clearly to spread terror and it is difficult to understand why the government gives importance to these terrorists even after having conclusive evidence.
—Murugesh Iyer, Thane

How green was my Thane
This refers to ‘A prayer for the reign of King Bali’ by  Sudhir Suryawanshi.

Agricultural land from Vasai to Dahanu and Karjat, Belapur has already been purchased by the likes of Anjali Damania. Most of the land in Thane district belongs to adivasis, which, as per existing laws, cannot be purchased. However, politicians, builders and government officers have managed to exploit the adivasis and have taken their land away at throwaway prices. Sharad Pawar, as chief minister, had opened up this area for development, and now one finds the entire stretch a concrete jungle. This so-called development has ruined the peace in this region. We, Harit Vasai Saurakshan Samiti, approached the court which issued guidelines to the state government. But the government did not honour them. Today, in Thane district, some 5 lakh unauthorised constructions can be found on most agricultural land. Farmers have been refugees on their own land.
—Marcus Dabre, Vasai