M A I L B A G

Erosion of faith in governance

The evil of corruption had raised its ugly head during the infancy of the Indian Republic itself under the stewardship of Nehru. In his sense of utter dismay over this, he declared that the corrupt should be hanged from the nearest lamp-post.

Then came the rule of Indira Gandhi during which she declared that corruption was a worldwide phenomenon. By then the imperatives of competitive politics started to have their toll on the system and unethical activities of party men occupying seats of power were condoned by the leadership. The imposition of the Emergency saw the culmination of this trend.

Thereafter, vested interests have been able to entrench themselves and a public perception has been created that corruption is a necessary evil required to lubricate the system.

The result is there for everybody to see. Systems have failed in every sphere of activity. The public sector, envisaged as the engine of growth and self-reliance, is in crisis.

S. C. CHABBA, Ropar

Needed: drive against dowry The practice of giving dowry is playing havoc with society. It is directly linked with female foeticide. The advancement of modern medical science is being used in such a way that the girl child is killed even before she is born. The reason behind this is the ever-increasing dowry demand. An unending desire for consumerism has perpetuated this social evil. There are thousands of girls whose life is being cut short by dowry-hungry in-laws. Consequently, female population is alarmingly decreasing in some states. A time is certainly approaching when a bridegroom will not find a match for himself. There is a famous Sanskrit saying — Yatra naryastu poojyante, ramante tatra devata — which means, “Gods live where women are respected”. Now some courageous girls have started rejecting dowry-greedy grooms. It is a very encouraging trend but it needs the support of right-thinking people. Today girls and their parents are feeling insecure even after spending a huge amount of money at the time of marriage. What more do would-be in-laws require than an educated and independent girl? A mass movement against this social evil is the need of the hour. Besides, the younger generation of men needs to come forward and honestly pledge not to accept dowry. Prof PARVEEN RANA, Hoshiarpur

Heinous crimes

Apropos of editorial "Capital rape" (The Tribune, April 11), the deplorable incident has shocked all right-thinking people.

The apathy and criminal  negligence on the part of the Delhi Police and its slow and smug responses in the face of  such heinous crimes is simply  unpardonable.

We all are talking about the empowerment of women, but women are not safe even in their homes and hostels. Women are constantly under the threat of various perpetrators of crime.

A thorough overhauling needs to be done in the maintenance of law and order. The culprits must be given exemplary punishment, no less than life imprisonment.

KARTAR SINGH MEET, Jalandhar

War of words

In contrast to US President Bush's highhanded remarks that in the Baltic states no one will be allowed to trample on their freedom anymore and the like, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been really statesman like when he said at the Red Square on May 9: "We must defend a world order based on security and justice… (and) not allow any repetition of either Cold Wars or Hot Wars".

The US President's remark and the demand for an apology to Poland and the Baltic States from Russia for the USSR's occupation of their land for 50-odd years is like  recalling Cold War days.  Mr Putin's Russia is not the  former Soviet Union.

The US policy-makers must, instead, support President  Putin in his strengthening of the Russian state based on law,  order and justice. After all,  the Caucasus and the  neighbouring states have the  potential of turning into a headache for world peace.

SUBHASH BARU, Camp
Srinagar (J&K)

Law enforcement

This is with reference to the editorial about Ms Mayawati (May 14). The role of the media in highlighting the shameful display of black mailing tactics by our so-called people’s elected representatives is to be lauded. If the common man had tried to blackmail an officer, he would have been put behind bars. But our politicians, it seems, are above the law. You have rightly said that the CBI probe against her must continue. The media must thus create awareness and encourage good politics and politicians, and condemn the bad ones.

The report of the CBI seeking permission to close the Taj corridor case against Ms Mayawati because of lack of evidence also brings into focus the credibility, efficiency and autonomy of our premier investigative agency. The Supreme Court can act only on the evidence and facts collected by law enforcement agencies, which are easily influenced, manipulated and changed even on reinvestigation, rendering our justice system helpless. India's governance is being destroyed by providing protection to the corrupt.

Dr. VITULL K. GUPTA, Bathinda

CEC is right

This is with reference to your news item "Attempt to undermine poll panel, says Tandon" (May 17). I congratulate the new CEC for his bold stand against the people bent on defaming the Election Commission. At the same time I request him not to succumb to any pressure and continue his fight against people like Mr Saptarishi.

SANJAY CHAWLA, Amritsar