Jayalalitha is back, for now
Tamil Nadu, one of the industrial states of Southern India is in a jubilant mood because their flamboyant and charismatic leader is back in power (‘Karnataka should appeal against Jayalalitha’s acquittal’, Gulf News, May 13). This verdict of the Karnataka High Court has removed the slander imposed on her and has erased the blame put on her by political enemies. The judgement came on an appeal filed by J. Jayalalitha and three others against the verdict of the special court judge, who in September held her and three others guilty of graft. The judge had awarded four years jail to them and imposed a fine on her.
After hearing the verdict, Jayalalitha said that the verdict gives her immense satisfaction, as it has removed the slurs cast on her by my political opponents. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) legislative party will meet soon to reinstate her into power. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, numerous dignitaries and personalities of different walks of life have greeted her on her acquittal in the wealth case. But, according to the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) party leader M. Karunanidhi, it is not the end of everything, but a beginning. He struck a philosophical note when he said that the verdict given by the Karnataka High Court acquitting the AIADMK secretary of all charges in the disproportionate assets case was not final. The final verdict will come only when the Apex Court of the nation gives the ultimate judgement. Until that time, she is not to be treated as innocent. Therefore, he has to wait for that, keeping his fingers crossed!
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
Exoneration gives party momentum
It is really heartening to note that the special bench of Karnataka’s high court has exonerated Jayalalitha Jayaram, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, which definitely will have far reaching implications on the political front (‘A child actor who became a ‘revolutionary leader’, Gulf News, May 12). It is a real blow to her detractors, who tried their best to nail her. This verdict of quashing the order of a trial court relating to the confiscation of properties has definitely added anti-climatic twists and turns. This would definitely boost her, as well as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party’s morale. With the return of Jayalalitha, good days are coming for the people of Tamil Nadu. At this juncture, even united Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu, including the century old Congress party, may not be able to make any dent in her fort.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
She inspired millions!
The Gulf News story about the AIADMK activists praying for Jayalalitha was an interesting read. She started her career in films, became more popular and later, inspired by her hero M. G. Ramachandran and the AIADMK, she joined him. Later, she not only ruled, but also inspired millions of people with the good deeds she did.
Millions of her followers prayed for a good judgement in her court verdict and that she will come out from this and prove her innocence. But, ultimately, one has to respect the law either way.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Taxis need training
I totally agree with Gulf News Mr Mumtaz Hussain’s comments on Dubai taxis (‘Letter to the editor: Dubai taxi dilemma’, Gulf News, May 12). The taxi drivers – not all, but some – let their mood affect their driving when taking passengers to the required destination. Stopping vacant taxis can be difficult and their reply even if they stop is that it is time to handover the taxi to the station because their duty is over.
Rudeness is also another problem when some taxi drivers reply very rudely if you ask them why they cannot take us to the required destination. The driver knowing locations is also very important for them to study and this should be offered by the taxi companies before handing over the vehicle to the driver.
From Mr Prasad Warrier
Sharjah
FIFA can’t stand for this!
I am voicing my support of the Palestinian request to kick Israel out of Fifa (the Federation Internationale de Football Association) in the face of it imposing its inhumane restrictions on the movement of Palestinian players, athletes, as well as the entire Palestinian population as a whole.
Given the undeniable fact of the barbaric treatment the Israeli government is exercising to humiliate the decent Palestinian individuals on a daily basis since its occupation of Palestine in 1948, the legitimate request submitted by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) to have Israel suspended from Fifa will be the least they are expecting in order to send a strong message to the most brutal and oppressive occupying colonial power the world has ever witnessed in modern times. The undisputed war crimes committed by Israel speak for themselves. The world football’s governing body, Fifa, cannot and must not turn a blind eye on this unbearable, unforgettable and unforgivable massacre against humanity.
FIFA shouldn’t tolerate or bend its principle to appease or reward Israel’s unbearable racism and oppression against the Palestinian People and players in all sports under its pretext of security.
With that in mind, the Israeli Football Association should be suspended within the sound discretion of Fifa in order to restore the world’s confidence and trust in this most prestigious sporting organisation.
From Mr Assem A. Abul Khair
UAE
These perceptions need to stop
Only a warped mind will mock the legacy of the Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] (‘Hate speech shouldn’t be classed as free speech’, Gulf News, May 12). The activities of the anti-Islamic blogger Pamela Geller must be universally condemned. Mainstream media is flooding us with sensationalised images of Americans who fear and hate Islam.
As the programs intensify in the Middle East, Americans seem even more excited to justify a violence beyond measure incurred upon a people by expanding and deliberating old myths about the intrinsic ‘evils’ of the Muslim religion and it’s people. Hatred and fear of Islam is the new engine of the 21st century Western demagoguery.
Their capacity for more accurate perception and minimal self-awareness is altogether obliterated by their greatest fears of all: that they might have to hold up a mirror to their own souls and see the diseased and twisted nature of what they have allowed themselves to permanently reside in.
Muslims were not born in the eye of the storm to threaten anybody. If trends continue as they have during the past 50 years, we will soon reach a point of no return with low level wars disguised as noble gestures for peace. Such an era could culminate into a third world war.
From Mr Farouk Araie
Johannesburg, South Africa
Good deeds get rewarded
This is with reference to the letter about politics in the office (‘Letters to the editor: Office politics are inevitable’, Gulf News, May 15). I totally agree with the fact that there are politics in every office, not only in this part of the world, but it is a common factor in the whole world. There are very few offices where such kinds of atmospheres don’t exist. The same kind of political atmosphere exists in my office also. I work for a private sector company and have been in this company for quite some time. What I have seen in my career throughout is that there are some people who work very hard and there are few who are hardly working. They spend their time gossiping about other staff among their colleagues or they spend time gossiping about colleagues to the bosses. The funniest part is that some of the bosses also like such gossip and spend their valuable time listening to such things. This creates a very bad atmosphere in the office and a negative energy. At the end of the year, it is seen that the staff who spend their time in such politics get more salary increases than the other staff who work hard and suffer.
This is really frustrating for the staff who spent their entire time working very hard and with utmost dedication. My advice to the good people who work hard is to remain calm and concentrate on their work. At least you will have mental peace and one day your good deeds will be rewarded.
From Mr Ajeet Kumar S. Pillai
UAE
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