| Published on 11-10-2006 In National |
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Written by
Cho Ramaswamy |
K Ramesh, Theerthamalai
Question: Sonia Gandhi says that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is efficiently taking care of the nation and on that count doesn't require a deputy. Comment.
Answer: She is correct. Why would anyone want a deputy for one who is in effect only a Deputy Prime Minister?
J Tariq Mohiuddin, Keezhacharakkalvilai
Question: What do you think about the statement of Kerala's minister Sudhakaran in which he has said that all matters concerning admission of women into the Sabarimala Aiyappa Shrine will be decided on the basis of court judgements?
Answer: Such changes are inevitable due to advice from religious leaders or social pressures. But I don't think that the courts have a role to play in these things. If the judiciary is allowed to interfere with personal religious beliefs, there may be future litigants who will oppose bathing of icons in temples with milk and sandal paste by alleging that they are a waste of money. This may even lead to the anomalous situation of hoteliers protesting against edible offerings to deities simply because that may affect their business!
H Tamilarasan, Mumbai 17.
Question: What is your take on the demand for a separate Muslim state of Hyderabad?
Answer: It should be ruthlessly nipped in the bud.
Shyamala Eashwaran, Thevoor Mettukkadai
Question: Which quality of Sonia Gandhi surprises you?
Answer: She somehow manages to make it seem to the world that all the charges against her and her party have simply evaporated. That is a surprising plus point.
Sinthanai Chelvan, Srivaikuntam.
Question: Lord Buddha preached love. But why do his followers in Sri Lanka – especially monks – want war?
Answer: All religions preach love. But which religion really has eschewed war?
A Peter, Kalaiyarkovil
Question: What would you say about the Sri Lankan Government's claim that LTTE leader Prabhakaran has agreed for peace talks? (Will the peace talks really take place properly at least this time?)
Answer: Whenever the LTTE has weakened due to war, under the ruse of taking part in dialogue, the terrorist body only rearms, regroups, and refinances itself besides killing those Tamil leaders who do not toe its line. Nobody can afford to forget this perfidy.
MR Srinivasan, Thevoor.
Question: Jayalalithaa says that all the freebies announced by the DMK government will not last beyond the elections to the local bodies. Comment.
Answer: What would they do if parliamentary elections follow this? On that count, the DMK will keep the people interested by doling out small fractions of what they promised.
S Purushottam Rajan, Paramakudi
Question: Jayalalithaa has demanded to know as to why Chief Minister Karunanidhi hasn't offered solace to the next of kin of those who succumbed to the Chikun Gunya epidemic. Is this really possible?
Answer: Let us for a moment think beyond this possibility. Chief Minister Karunanidhi has gone on record saying that the need doesn't arise because nobody died because of the illness. In other words he has reiterated the government's stand that there are no deaths in Tamil Nadu due to this disease. Besides that, he has also pointed out that some of those listed as the victims to this disease by Jayalalithaa died due to accidents, others died two years back and a few didn't die at all.
Jaya TV hotly contested this by giving out details. They interviewed the victims' next of kin and their neighbours and telecast the whole thing. People have gone on record saying that the claims of Karunanidhi are wrong and untrue. Besides people have said in the interviews that people did die due to Chikun Gunya.
Despite affected families' public admission of their plight and their contradiction of the CM's averments most of the main newspapers have ignored the whole thing.
At this rate, newspapers too can become part of the DPA bandwagon!
J Benazir Sadiq, Keezhacharakkalvilai.
Question: Chief Minister Karunanidhi has written to the Prime Minister about the Tamil fishermen's rights to operate near Kachchattivu (island). Comment.
Answer: The CM has sent it as a matter of formality and performed a mere rite. That is all. The same gentleman had been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu when the island was gifted away to Sri Lanka. What is more, his support was vital to the central government at that point in time. The Chief Minister's support for Tamil fishermen has come 30 years too late.
S Saravanan, Chennai 52.
Question: DPI leader Thol Thirumavalavan has crossed over to the DMK saying that the AIADMK let him down badly. What is your take on this development?
Answer: I don't think that Thirumavalavan can be blamed for this. Problems are bound to crop up in any alliance. He couldn't thrash them out with AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa because he couldn't meet her. He didn't even know as to who could intercede with her in this connection. Naturally Thirumavalavan was dejected.
In the past, [Dr] Ramadoss also cited disrespect by Jayalalithaa and the needless, fruitless and long waiting periods. That was the main reason for his exit from the AIADMK camp.
After his experience with Jayalalithaa, Thirumavalavan has advised her to be more accessible to allies and party men alike. Heeding or ignoring this advice is Jayalalithaa's prerogative. Even if she ignores him, Thirumavalavan's allegations cannot be simply wished away.
M Ashok Raja, Aravakkurichippatti.
Question: George Fernandes has gone on record saying that the demand for a separate Telangana state is justifiable. Comment.
Answer: Bigger states ceding such demands isn't anything new. Besides, the Telangana question existed right from the time Andhra Pradesh was created. Therefore, one day this demand will have to be fulfilled.
Srividya Kalidas, Chidambaram.
Question: Recently a French periodical attracted a lot of attention by claiming that the international terrorist Osama bin Laden was dead. Could this be true?
Answer: Frankly, I don't know. I can only point out that during all such similar circumstances in the past, the Arabic television station Al Jazeera had immediately telecast pictures and audio tapes of bin Laden contradicting such reports. This time, it hasn't happened. But that alone cannot be a reason for believing the French journal's report. One will have to wait and watch.
PK Manivannan, Tirupur 4.
Question: When will it be possible to viably run a central government without the fear of being pulled down by the communists?
Answer: It might become a possibility after the next general elections.
CA Kesavan, K Kazhukachalapuram.
Question: India will become corruption free within the next 5 years, says President Abdul Kalam. Will this prediction turn out to be true?
Answer: I don't think that the present crop of politicians and bureaucrats will vanish into thin air within that period.
P Choodamani, Chennai 93.
Question: You have been repeatedly advocating reduction in reservation. But, with each succeeding government, it has only increased. Where will it all end?
Answer: At this rate, Indians will lose respect abroad. India's march towards progress will stumble. Finally, 'merit' itself may need reservation. |
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