[Reader-list] Sickular railway budget

[Rakesh Iyer]

The vote bank politics I talked about is quite different from the rule of
law being not followed. Any beatings or violence should be unacceptable, but
attributing it to vote bank politics is not necessarily correct, because
there is no proof or correlation which states that such acts or violence do
bring about votes. And if things have come over to such a passe, then it
obviously means that we need to look at the things in correct perspective.

Exclusion can take place on different counts, and what has to be determined
is whether such exclusion is justified or not. For example, Below Poverty
Line families (BPL) have to be provided food at cheaper rates, and hence
there are arguments for excluding those families which are wealthy enough
and hence should not be included in the BPL list. Similarly, when it's said
that discrimination is not a part and parcel of Islam and Christianity and
hence the tribals and dalits converting to these religions should not get
reservation, that too is an exclusion on the basis of religion.

What is important is the justification being given, and whether that holds
true or not. Therefore, one should look at these things on a case-to-case
basis, not generalize them. Please don't raise one issue after another, but
concentrate on one and then let's decide and debate whether it's right or
wrong.

Regards

Rakesh