Test case

Sir — I was shocked to read the report, “Tamluk dogs sink in teeth” (June 25). Street dogs do not go on a biting spree just like that. Ordinary people need to be educated about such a phenomenon. The civic authority of Tamluk should set up a veterinary cell that is equipped to catch these dogs. It should conduct a thorough medical test of these animals, and, if absolutely necessary, put them down with an overdose of sedatives. Dogs do not bite human beings without a reason. Lynching strays without a proper investigation is uncalled for.

Yours faithfully,
Sharmila Mitra, Calcutta

True story

Sir — It is surprising that A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s soon-to-be released book, Turning Points — A Journey Through Challenges, has raised a storm in the media and the political circles relating to the former president’s disclosures about his Gujarat visit during the communal riots in the state (“How Kalam overruled NDA on Gujarat”, July 2).

Kalam shared excellent relations with the former prime minister, A.B. Vajpayee. It is possible that Vajpayee’s question to Kalam — “Do you consider going to Gujarat at this time essential?” — has been quoted out of context. Vajpayee probably thought that Kalam’s visit would create serious law-and-order problems. Moreover, the state administration must have been busy tackling the post-riot situation. Vajpayee never asked Kalam not to visit Gujarat. He wanted the presidential visit to take place after things had settled down somewhat. Incidentally, Kalam is a ‘no-nonsense’ person who is guided by his conscience. He does not require a certificate of merit from politicians like Sharad Yadav of the Janata Dal (United) or C.P. Thakur of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Kalam seems to have implemented the maxim of Saint Thiruvalluvar, who had once written, “Imitate the stork in biding your time, but when the time is ripe, act with swift and sure aim....” Kalam had done just that. He waited for the opportune moment and did not act in haste.

Yours faithfully,
S. Balakrishnan, Jamshedpur

Sir — In his memoirs, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has reportedly written about a ‘surprising’ development that took place on May 18, 2004, when he was readying himself to swear in the Congress chief, Sonia Gandhi, as the prime minister after the general elections. Sonia Gandhi told him that she would like to nominate Manmohan Singh, a trusted lieutenant of the Congress and a man with impeccable political credentials, as prime minister.

Undoubtedly, Kalam’s disclosure proves decisively that Sonia Gandhi heeded the voice of conscience before taking the historic decision. It also exposes the charade played out by the BJP which tried to give the impression that Kalam was opposed to Sonia Gandhi’s prime ministership. Incidentally, Subramanian Swamy had once demanded that Kalam ought to release the letter he wrote to Sonia Gandhi that effectively spoilt her bid to become prime minister. It is now evident that this was nothing but a political ploy to save his image.

The BJP still maintains that Sonia Gandhi’s refusal to take oath as the prime minister was not an act of sacrifice. The party will now have to rethink what it has claimed to be true all these years. The excerpts from Kalam’s book on Sonia Gandhi will put a lot of half truths to rest. The book will surely draw interesting comments from politicians, given the nature of politics in this country.

Yours faithfully,
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad