M A I L B A G

Respect court verdict on quota

I refer to the editorial “Quota for Muslims” (Nov 9). The Andhra Pradesh government would do well to avoid political tokenism and misuse of constitutional guarantees under Article 14 and implement the AP High Court verdict in letter and spirit.

No doubt, casteism and economic backwardness go hand in hand and a large section of Muslims need help to enjoy the fruits of development. But the truth is that if academic excellence and talent and creation of robust workforce are sacrificed at the altar of reservation, merit and talent will become redundant.

Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, reluctantly agreed to reservation only for 10 years but reservation continues even after 58 years of Independence.

UMED SINGH GULIA, Faridabad

II

I fully endorse the view that the government must respect the High Court court order as reservation for Muslims has failed to pass legal and constitution tests. Sadly, the political class is bent on securing votes even at the cost of national interest. The courts have time and again reminded the political class about the spirit behind the constitutional provisions but the politicians have not desisted from going in for legislation to overrule the court directives.

Reservations have not promoted the cause of social justice. Muslims do need a push for their economic development, but they need compulsory education to come out of their ghettoism. The policy of tokenism and misuse of constitutional guarantee must be stopped, at least for the country’s sake!

ARVIND DHUMAL, Jalandhar

Integrated growth

The editorial “Building the region: Punjab, Haryana can do more” (Oct 19) rightly points out that both Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Captain Amarinder Singh should seize the moment but they should do so only after studying the fine print.

Delhi’s Distcom uproar shows, the Reliance connection can be quite dodgy, helping the Ambanis much more than the people. It would be better if bureaucrats scrutinise the proposals thoroughly. Surely, neither Punjab nor Haryana need development for its own sake, but integrated development that promotes mass welfare.

VINOD CHOWDHURY, New Delhi

Military justice system In his article “Armed Forces Tribunal” (Oct 17), Lt-Col G.S. Bedi (retd) rightly stressed the need for comprehensive reforms in the entire military justice system. Presently, members of a court martial are drawn from the general officer cadre who have no legal background. An officer from the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch is made available to assist the court but that is not enough. We should raise a Military Judicial Service to man the court martial in the three armed forces. Qualified law graduates, preferably practicing lawyers, should be recruited to the service through open competition. The service, when fully put in place, will render the JAG branch redundant which may then be wound up. The service should be independent of the control and influence of the military authorities. Further, the sentence awarded by a court martial should be confirmed by the proposed Armed Forces Tribunal. Wg-Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar

Ambala-Kalka bus

On the Ambala-Kalka route, there is Punjab area from Lalru to Zirakpur. But to my great surprise, there is no Punjab Roadways bus from Ambala to Kalka and vice versa. I request the authorities concerned to ply a few buses of Punjab Roadways on this route. This will help people very much.

RAMESH MUNJAL, Kalka

Shabby treatment

Senior citizens in Himachal Pradesh do not get any help owing to generation gap. In overcrowded trains, buses, reservation counters, they have to stand in long queues to wait for their turn. The youth simply do not bother about them.

The same is the case in government offices and hospitals. What is the use of observing Senior Citizens’ Day if they are not given their due?

SAMARJIT GUPTA, Jawali (HP)

Eco-friendly Mumbai

During a recent visit to Mumbai, I was astonished to find dense growth of tall trees along with multi-storeyed buildings. If every city emulates Mumbai, it would have a lasting effect on the environment of the region. The people of Mumbai and the authorities concerned deserve appreciation for being eco-friendly.

V.K. SHARMA, Shimla

Brand India design

This has reference to the report “Create brand India design: Kalam” (Nov 4). While addressing the 12th convocation of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), the President rightly emphasised the need to improve the export of Indian design.

In the global market of fashion designing, Indian designs, specially sarees, are much sought after. To create and develop brand India design, the Centre and the states should encourage cotton agriculture. Further, R&D on cotton will enhance creativity and entrepreneurial skills in the latest fashion designs. Boost in the export of brand India designs will earn good foreign exchange for India. Moreover, Indian and foreign girls enjoy indigenous fabrics much more than the western ones.

YUGAL KISHORE SHARMA, Khambi (Faridabad)