M A I L B A G

Panchayats as agents of social change

D R Chaudhry’s article, “Khap Panchayats: Out of tune with the times” (Jan 28) is timely, but nebulous. The concept of modernity has to be defined in the Indian context without Western overtones. In the West, boys and girls live together for years before getting married. This is repugnant to our cultural ethos.

In our society, marriage is a sacred institution; it has given societal stability. Investigation by academics has revealed that the gotra issue is the culmination of intense feuding in the Ladawas Gill families, political rivalry in panchayat and zilla parishad elections and Sheoran Khap leaders’ urge to rule the roost. Such incidents are offshoots of political animosity and not mere gotra issues.

However, in Ladawas, the Sheoran Khap had taken a perverse position while issuing the fiat to the effect “Gill and others” not to marry Sheorans when several Shoeran girls stand married there and vice versa.

The Khaps have to stop politicking and change taking into account the ground realities. Sadly, the Panchayati Raj system has become a cesspool of corruption. It is not concerned with the emerging social problems. The statutory panchayats should be revamped to usher in social change for harmony and development.

Dr PREM SINGH DAHIYA, Rohtak

II

It is shocking that khap panchayats still exist in this country. A family is forced to obey the self-styled law and is boycotted from the community merely for defying its dictates.

Ironically, these obnoxious panchayats are functioning in a state that boasts of speedy economic growth and highest per capita income. Such activities bring a bad name for the state and the country as they remind one of barbarism and medieval mindset.

In this age of globalisation when we consider the world as a single family and try to bridge the gap, the khap panchayats widen the gap among people by creating gulfs thorough their irrational dictates.

Dr VINOD K. CHOPRA, Hamirpur (HP)

III

It is said that marriages are made in heaven and solemnised on the earth. The self-styled Bhiwani khap panchayat’s decision to expel two families from their respective village is gross violation of law.

Such religious or social bigots need to be wiped out by the law. I strongly oppose the khap panchayat’s verdict and sincerely appreciate the two families’ stand against the remnants of medieval fanaticism.

ASHOK SINGH GULERIA, N. Surian (Kangra)

Tortuous process in banks Nowadays, banks disburse salary and pension. This has led to unprecedented rush in the banks. For withdrawal or deposit, one has to stand in the long queue. Yet, customers are forced to visit the banks again for collecting their passbooks. No entry is made in the passbooks at the time of withdrawal or deposit. This tortuous process is causing inconvenience to customers, especially the aged people. Prior to computerisation, the needful entries were made promptly. The Union Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India should issue suitable guidelines to all the banks in this regard. DES RAJ ARORA, Patiala

Running a coalition

Coalition governments are opportunistic as the party and individual gains are more dominant than ideology. If coalitions are really formed on ideology and principles, why does the Congress intend to fight the Left in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura? If the Janata Dal (Secular) has now formed a government with the BJP in Karnataka, how would it be “un-ideological”?

The days of one-party rule may be over, but our political leadership has not matured enough to run a coalition by maintaining their individual party ideology on the one hand and ensuring socio-economic development on the other. Self-assertion, by condemning one or the other ally, tends to break the coalition and hinder economic growth.

VED GULIANI, Hisar

II

The editorial “Coalition dharma” (Jan 24) rightly says that coalition politics can make a constructive contribution to the nation if allies in the coalition understand their duty and sense of responsibility to face the challenges boldly and unitedly.

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato says that coalition government is a necessity. Special qualities of leadership are required to lead a coalition government. He recommended that the Prime Minister/Chief Minister heading a coalition should meet the heads of the alliance partners frequently and fine-tune the relationship.

Lieut-Col ONKAR CHOPRA (retd), New Delhi