MyVoice is to lift up the voices and experiences

Modi should put an end to mobocracy

India cannot tolerate the culture of violence and mob lynching. Several eminent celebrities have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over incidents of mob violence and lynching in the country and demanded stronger action against such incidents.

They have also expressed shock at the lynching of Muslims, Dalits and other minorities that must be stopped and regretted that not much has been done to tackle the issue.

This mobocracy has been the dominant trend. Frenzied crowds are using numerous means of violence to lynch people belonging to minorities and religious hate crimes in recent times has become a provocative war of cry now.

Mob leadership not only leads to jail but also political prominence and ascendance. Violence becomes a form of political clout, not of crime.

This naturally encourages further criminal violence. Our Constitution describes India 'a secular socialist democratic republic' where citizens of all religions, genders and cases are equal.

No citizen should have to live in fear in his own country. This violates the Constitution's guarantee of religious freedom and minority rights.

The political leadership at the top must unequivocally voice condemnation of such incidents and the government must act to stamp out such violence. This should not go on.

Kodihalli S Rao, Shreenagar, Thane

India doesn't need any mediator on J&K

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been alone in drawing flak at home over Donald Trump's claim that the Indian Prime Minister had asked the US President to mediate on Kashmir.

US President Trump too has drawn criticism at home for his comment, widely perceived as jeopardising the US relations with an important ally, particularly in the context of America's strategy of containing China. Both the US and India scrambled to play down President Donald Trump's claim.

But, the two principal protagonists did little to clear the air. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained silent and deputed Foreign Minister and former diplomat S Jaishankar to emphatically and repeatedly deny that such a conversation took place with the US President, a top aide to Trump vouched for the credibility of his boss.

While Pakistan might welcome the US mediation, frankly, there is no urgency to talk to Pakistan. Our stand that talks under the threat of terrorism is not just feasible but is perfectly viable. There is never any urgency to talk to a neighbour who does not believe in behaving like a neighbour.

Padmini Raghavendra, Secunderabad

Democracy is under threat

The Congress- Janata Dal coalition government finally collapsed and at last the BJP is successful to come to power in Karnataka, through backdoor using bribery and wholesale trade of MLAs.

Congress leader anda former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's allegation that each MLA was lured with Rs 25 to Rs 30 crore, the BJP's 'Operation Kamala' and MLAs staying in resorts and hotels and other allegations of bribery reveal the ugly face of Karnataka politics.

It is a shame that the BJP is claiming it as victory of democracy but actually it is nothing but disregarding the people's mandate.

The BJP has begun adopting 'by hook or crook' policy to form government in various States and is claiming to have won the hearts of people of the entire country.

It is nothing but mockery of democracy. It seems democracy is under threat.

Zakir Hussain, Kazipet