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Newslaundry
Newslaundry
National
NL Team

Hafta letters: Link languages, Sardar Patel, Abhinandan on AAP

Hi there,

I was very surprised when, in one of the last two Haftas, there was a comment: "Oh, we can't do a Cut the Clutter because Shekhar's experience, Madhu is also not here, etc."

And I am thinking, you have got Raman Kirpal there!!! There are so many instances on Hafta when he has come up with mind-blowing stories – his point of view on Ayodhya, etc. And blimey, he was on that Hafta! He could do a Cut the Clutter quite easily with Mehraj or maybe a subscriber!

Best regards,

Dhiraj

I listened very carefully to the argument put forward by the panel on one national/linking language debate, and I beg to differ from the views of a couple of them.

One nation, one language doesn't work in a miraculously built country like India. Native language is very dear to all of us, and panellists must learn lessons from two countries (in South Asia) that faced insurgency with the major reason being language. Language played a major role in the building of Bangladesh and insurgency in Sri Lanka. So, please try to understand how irresponsible it is to suggest that every Indian must accept Hindi as a link language. I see you have received many mails in tone with what I just said.

Having said that, I believe all languages, including Hindi, must have equal status and that English is a better link language, given no one has superiority to begin with.

With this, I conclude my rant, as Jayashree (all power to her) says.

By the way, I am a Bengali who can rant in Hindi, chaste Punjabi, Malayalam, Urdu and Assamese.

Korak

Hi NL team,

The announcement by AK was actually a test by the AAP to see who is their true bhakt. I am glad AS and me both passed the test with flying colours.

On a more serious note, I do agree with AS's viewpoint and probably the thinking behind it, but it may also backfire the same way that saying the deputy CM of Punjab will be a Dalit during the 2017 Punjab election did.

On a second note, and probably playing devil's advocate, the talk about women's sports not getting the same money is hypocritical when you don't question industries and careers, albeit a few, strongly favouring women over men, for example fashion models, gynaecologists, etc. The discussion should be how to attract more viewers to women's sports, how to modify certain aspects, taking into account men and women are indeed biologically different.

Inder

Hi team,

My question is regarding Amit Shah's what-if series on Sardar Patel. I do know that both Nehru and Patel were very integral to the formation of India, and Patel had passed way before the first Indian general election in 1952. But is there any actual evidence or significance to what Amit Shah says – that if Patel had become the first PM, would India have been different today?

AG

Abhinandan mentioned not commenting on Kejriwal. Why? Is your friendship more important than an honest assessment?

If Kejriwal is one-upping Modi/BJP, where does it stop? If they declare all Muslims are second-class citizens, will Kejriwal say "throw them out of the country"? Would you then be aghast, or would you say, "look, he is a politican and knows more than us"?

Kejriwal not speaking about the Bilkis Bano convicts being freed, keeping Manish and Jain as ministers even after corruption charges, or spending state money on advertisements might be great political steps. But are they correct, in your view?

If all this is fine with you, Abhinandan, do you think you wasted your time in IAC? If not, what did we achieve other than one more filthy politician in the form of Kejriwal?

If you keep mentioning MMS as an economist PM and not getting much, why won't people ask IITian and ex-IRS Kejriwal, "kya bhasoodi hai"?

RaGa at least is trying for higher moral values. The outcome of good politics can't be winning elections only.

Ashutosh Singh

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