M A I L B A G

Time to put the past behind us

IN his article, “Put the past behind” (Aug 18), S.S. Dhanoa has rightly traced the genesis of Indira Gandhi’s assassination and subsequent anti-Sikh riots to the separatist movement perpetuated by the militant organisations in Punjab. A complete understanding of the sordid chain of events is needed for evolving a solution.

Picking up isolated events at random and attempting to get political mileage by exploiting the sentiments and emotions have made the whole affair so complicated that nothing good shall come out. Consequently, the sane advice —“Put the past behind”— is the only way out of the festering imbroglio.

However, the families adversely affected in the series of events in Punjab and elsewhere will have to be rehabilitated. Tendering of apologies by one leader or the other is nothing more than symbolic gestures and shall not alleviate the suffering of the victims.

B.R. SOOD, Bahadurpur (Hoshiarpur)

II

The writer has given a fair account of the events but at some places the piece seems like a government version. He has praised Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for various things but historic events prove that they failed miserably in their foresight on this issue.

It is a shame that those involved in the 1984 riots are roaming freely. Is our system so gutless that these criminal elements cannot be brought to book?

Lt-Col BHAGWANT SINGH (retd), Mohali

III

Though the writer’s analysis seems to be logical, all the extremists responsible for Punjab-related killings — from the bodyguard-turned killers of Indira Gandhi to the last surviving militant like Hawara — have been brought to justice. People were picked by security forces in Punjab for having links with terrorists on mere suspicion. Thousands of such outlaws and their family members were liquidated in fake or real encounters with the police.

The writer may justify such drastic actions of the state. But why even a single top leader has not yet been put behind bars till date for the 1984 riots? Rightly so, as suggested by Mr Dhanao, Sikhs have no way but to “put the past behind” and wait for another future.

MANJITINDER SINGH JOHAL, Mandiani (Ludhiana)

IV

The resignations of Mr Jagdish Tytler and Mr Sajjan Kumar should not end as a drama. If the Congress wants to restore its secular credentials, it should take steps to punish all those involved in the ’84 riots. Otherwise, it will sow the seeds of discontent among the Sikhs.

SUKHWINDER KAUR, Narwana

V

It was rightly decided to remove the Sikh bodyguards from the inner security ring of Indira Gandhi. Their reinstatement proved to be very costly for the nation as it claimed her precious life. A few decades ago, Shimla’s Inspector-General of Police forcibly lifted Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru away from the hostile mob without compromising his professional skills. He was neither rewarded nor punished though the former had set a precedent.

Everyone becomes wiser after the event. In the absence of a non-partisan bureaucracy, the Army was a prompt antidote to mob violence. But was it wise to kill thousands of innocent people?

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

VI

I agree with the writer that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s honest and emotional apology has served as a balm for the bruised and battered Sikh psyche. Sadly, we as a nation become so emotional at times that we fail to find the rights and wrongs of our acts.

Mr Dhanao has rightly stated that the Army should have been called. But the Centre had failed to call the Army promptly. The failure of Delhi’s Lt-Governor and the Union Home Minister cannot be condoned. I am reminded of Julius Ceaser’s words: “Monuments are made for victories over strangers. Domestic troubles should be covered with the veil of sadness”.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR, Jalari-Hamirpur (HP)

Give pensioners their due In Punjab, pensioners, MLAs or others constitute a similar class. The Third Punjab Pay Commission had recommended old age allowance at three stages of 5 per cent, 10 per cent and 15 per cent of the basis pension, on attaining the age of 65, 75 and 80 years respectively to the pensioners. However, while MLAs have been allowed the benefit at all the said three stages presently, the other pensioners are allowed this benefit only at two stages of 65 and 75 years, though the Commission had recommended all the three stages for old age allowance to the pensioners. There is no objection to the MLAs benefiting at the third stage. At the same time, this benefit should accrue to the government pensioners also. The Punjab government’s approach should be fair and evenhanded. V.I.K. SHARMA, Jalandhar City

Not a wise proposal

The world knows how the Indian Lok Sabha functions with 543 members. There will be complete chaos if its present strength is raised to 900 as proposed. People will pay through their nose to maintain these worthies many of whom visit their voters once in five years to seek votes on false promises. Why not reduce its strength to 300, of which 100 should be women?

B.S. AGGARWAL, Panchkula