Letters: Don't force it

It was amusing to read reports of the Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) requesting schoolchildren as well as the public to wish Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday on September 17 with handmade cards. Even more amusing was that the BJP has assured it would display some of these cards in an exhibition and award prizes to those with the best-designed cards.

Shouldn't the need to wish someone on his/her special day arise spontaneously, without any ruse, compulsion or inducement? The BJP probably wants to win some brownie points from its leader through this move, but this will only damage his reputation.

State BJP President Tamilisai Soundararajan should give up this move lest she becomes the laughing stock not only among her political opponents but also her own party cadres.

Tharcius S Fernando Chennai

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