As a people, we revel in degrading ourselves, our country, our leaders, our officials. 1996 was a free for all year---particularly after the publication of the observations of the N.N.Vohra Committee on the alleged links between politicians and criminals. Very few had any good word to say about our political leadership. It was being projected in large sections of the media in the most negative colours.
I felt the urge to defend the political class and Narasimha Rao. I felt that public opinion was unjust to Rao. Of course, there was a negative side to his record. His failure to prevent a Hindu mob from demolishing the Babri Masjid, his proximity to holy men of dubious reputation, the allegations of political corruption against him and personal corruption against a member of his family. Despite all this, he had more achievements to his credit than any of the post-1989 Prime Ministers. I wrote an article, which most newspapers won't accept. Ultimately, the Business Line of Chennai accepted it and carried it on November 15, 1996 , under the heading "In Defence of the Much-Maligned Class".
I was flooded with letters criticizing me, abusing me and questioning my judgement and motive. It was quite depressing. And then on December 4,1996, I received the following letter from one of the readers of my article: