United we stand

M K Prasad, Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad: Prime Minister (pm) Deve Gowda's statement reflects his illiteracy and utter disregard for democracy.

Ashok Khosla and S K Sharma, Development Alternatives, New Delhi: We agree that all pm s should be accountable to the people for their deeds.

Chandan Datta, Society for Participatory Research in Asia, New Delhi: We understand the pm's concern and interest to delegate powers to states. But we feel local elected bodies, and not state governments should take decisions.

M S Swaminathan, agricultural scientist: It is unfortunate that environmental protection and development are placed on opposite sides of a scale.

Valmik Thapar, Ranthambhore Foundation, New Delhi: The pm, his entire cabinet... must reverse not only ecologically unsound statements, but the prevailing trends in the country. If such statements become policy, it signals the end of natural India.

G D Agarwal, Envirotech Instruments Pvt Ltd, New Delhi: Gowda's views are not worth a national debate. One does not plan national debates on statements made by illiterates and fools.

Pushpa Bhargava, molecular biologist: The pm's statement indicates that our government is interested neither in development, nor in the environment.

Kamla Chowdhry, Society for Promotion of Wasteland Development: Has Gowda forgotten Gandhiji's message that the touchstone for any decision is to ask how it will affect the poorest of the poor? Does development mean we do not make moral choices anymore?

Darryl D'monte, environmental journalist: It is painful to see the leader of the second most populous country of the world resorting to shibboleths like the "two sides' paradigm.