A tussle that distresses

The challenge to the reappointment of N. Chandrasekaran as Chairman of Tata Sons on September 17 is distressing to the company’s stakeholders in particular and to thousands of shareholders in the Indian corporate world in general (Page 1, “Tata Sons Board did not meet conditions: Trusts”, September 21). The reputation and esteem meticulously built over many decades by the Tata brand in the business world are at great risk of erosion because of the impatient and intolerant attitude of the Board of Directors. A quarrel in public is no way to resolve differences among learned, experienced and wise board members. India, known for a paucity of eminent leaders in politics, eagerly looks to the corporate world for wise and pragmatic business leaders who can provide good governance. Individual egos need to be set aside.

M.V. Nagavender Rao,

Hyderabad

Politics and decorum

Even the staunchest critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would find it difficult to accept Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, turning an event meant to address the serious issues confronting today’s youth into a vehicle to lampoon the Prime Minister. Using a stand-up comedian to mimic and ridicule Mr. Modi at such an event was unbecoming of the office of the Leader of the Opposition. By encouraging such mimicry, Mr. Gandhi has betrayed a lack of political maturity. A person portrayed by Gandhi family loyalists as a potential Prime Minister is expected to conduct himself with dignity and poise. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s outrage is not misplaced.

S.K. Choudhury,

Bengaluru

The developments remind me of the days when Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister. The celebrated cartoonist K. Shankar often drew cartoons criticising and poking fun at Nehru. Far from taking offence, Nehru reportedly encouraged Shankar to continue criticising him through his cartoons. Whether one agrees with the criticism or not, this reflects an important democratic principle: those in power must be able to tolerate criticism, satire and even ridicule. Freedom of expression is one of the very foundations of a democratic society.

Mohan Nedungadi,

Cherppulassery, Keralam