M A I L B A G

The three arms of law must act in unison

In his article “Overdue reforms in the criminal justice system” (Perspective, Nov 14), R.R. Varma ascribes large-scale “acquittals” of criminals to “serious flaws” in the criminal justice system. Enforcement of law involves three agencies — the police, the prosecution and the courts. However, instead of acting in unison, these agencies work at cross purposes with inevitable consequences.

The police blame the prosecutors for the dismal show alleging that the latter do not pursue cases with requisite vigour. The prosecutors opine that the police investigations by and large are slipshod and thus the cases fail to stand judicial security. The police and the prosecutors have a common grouse against the judiciary. They say, the judiciary starts hearing a case with the curious assumption that the police story is false and/or fabricated.

Unless the three arms of law act in close cooperation with each other, the desideratum would remain a far cry, reforms in the criminal justice system notwithstanding.

TARA CHAND, General Secretary, HP Lok Sewa Mandal, Ambota (Una)

II

The writer has dealt with the issue of poor conviction rate and prolonged trials. He has suggested remedial measures for speedy justice. One measure, according to him, is the acceptability of statements of the accused given in police custody during investigation.

M.S. GILL, Kokri Kalan

III

I endorse Mr Varma’s view that there is need to assist, equip and discipline the police force and make it people-friendly. While addressing top intelligence and police officers of the country recently, the Prime Minister drew their attention to the prevalent negative public perception in the country about the competence and commitment of our police and bringing about a radical improvement in the police administration.

Clearly, the image of the police force leaves much to be desired.

Lt-Col ONKAR CHOPRA (retd), Abohar

The only solution

Apropos of Kiran Bedi’s Reflections, “The generation of 90/10 per cent”, I appreciate her point on quality, morality and ethics in public life. She has highlighted the issue of degeneration in Indian society, especially among the youth.

Of course, teachers, parents, religious leaders and media can play a pivotal role in providing the right direction and counselling to the youth. But the question is who will teach the teachers? Who will give counselling to the parents? Who will check the growing influence of politics in the centres of learning? And who will expose the religious teachers who preach one thing and do the other?

The only solution is that all right-minded and selfless people should come forward to mobilise public opinion and mould the people, especially the youth, in the right direction.

URMIL GUPTA, Lecturer, S.D. College for Women, Moga

Not child’s play

This refers to Gitanjali Sharma’s ‘Rites of Admission’ (Spectrum, November 14). The tender minds of children have been burdened with pressures for admission to a good school.

Such forced learning curbs the natural and spontaneous learning process of the child. Children need to be nurtured with care and can blossom only in a free environment. The tag of being a failure so early in life will have negative effects on the development of their personality.

Though the choice of the first school is important but despite many good schools, everybody is vying for the best school in the city. It has become a question of status and prestige for the parents. A better system for admissions needs to be evolved.

I am reminded of lines from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet — “Your children are not your children, they are sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.”

VANDANA SAWANI, Panchkula

The pure race

Aditi Tandon’s “A chosen people” (Spectrum, Nov 7) gives one an insight into the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the Brogpas, the unique Aryans who are committed to maintain the sanctity of their race. Such write-ups add up to the uniqueness of India. Having travelled there once, I know how hard it is to reach such tribals and communicate with them.

PREM SINGH, Noida

The perfect kiss

Apropos of “Kiss and kismet” by Khushwant Singh (Saturday Extra, Oct 30), kissing is a natural way of expressing our affection. A new-born is received into this world by a warm kiss from his mother.

About kissing between two lovers on the screen, what is important is the intention of a kiss. There is nothing wrong in a kiss if it aims to depict love but it is not acceptable if the idea is to titillate or arouse passion in the audience. A kiss should be mutual and not hurt the sensibilities of those around.

MADHU SINGH, Ambala Cantt