Nothing can be more bewildering than having a Harvard-educated Union Minister to claim that by welcoming those convicted in a case of lynching, he, the Minister, was only “honouring the due process of law” (“Honoured legal process: Jayant Sinha”, July 8). The killing of a Muslim trader was barbaric. The Minister’s defence of his own reprehensible conduct is even more condemnable. The Jharkhand High Court has only suspended their sentence while granting the men bail. In the eyes of the law, they continue to be guilty.
It is unfortunate that there are a few members of the ruling party who have indicated their support for hate speech and express solidarity with those who have been accused of lynching. These are clear signs of the kind of vicious polarising the BJP may be preparing us for in the run-up to 2019. It is worrying that the Prime Minister has chosen not to act against such party members, which only strengthens the perception that there is something hidden in his silence.
S.K. Choudhury,
Bengaluru
Whether the BJP likes it or not, it is already on the back foot as far as incidents of lynching are concerned. Mr. Sinha’s despicable gesture has put not only him but also the BJP in a tight spot. He has given the Opposition enough ammunition to attack the government with. It is time the BJP takes firm steps before the ground beneath its feet slips away.
N. Mahadevan,
Chennai