L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Mastering delayed Justice

I read Khushwant Singh’s article “Commissions of injustice” (Saturday Extra, April 3) with keen interest. He has rightly said that we Indians have evolved ingenuous ways of delaying justice. The Liberhan commission which was appointed to go into the causes of the Babri Masjid destruction took 17 long years only to tell the world what the world already knew. Instead of punishing L K Advani and putting him behind bars, he is allowed to contest and win election and become a Member of Parliament. What a shame on the judicial system of our country!

Even half a dozen commissions were appointed for pinning down the culprits of the anti-Sikh riots that took place after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984. But the culprits still could not be brought to book even after the passage of a quarter of a century. The main accused, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar are still roaming free. Similarly Narendra Modi who had his hand in the Godhra killings of 2000 Muslims in 2002, has not been nailed and brought to justice. Khushwant Singh rightly calls these commissions as the “commissions of injustice”. Certainly these commissions are only set up to deny justice to the victims by delaying justice.

We boast of being the world’s largest democracy, but fail to deliver justice to the victims of atrocities. We are the most corrupt nation on the Earth. Here the law favours the corrupt and nails down the victim with impunity. The general masses are just hapless mute spectators.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh.

Civil society’s power

Dr Manmohan Singh, all along, and surely all alone except with the tacit approval of Sonia Gandhi, has been in favour of the creation of post of ombudsman, Lokpal, to bring about effective changes in the corruption-ridden Indian polity.

The movement by Anna Hazare has proved to be a catalyst. In Egypt, people gathered at only one Tahrir Square and brought about revolutionary changes, whereas in India, the people thronged everywhere in support of the activist and the whole country turned into big square to force the government to sincerely and honestly introduce the much-needed Bill which could pave the way for removing the virus of corruption, scams and frauds.

NC RANA, Panchkula

II

Earlier I tried to warn the public through the columns of “Letters to the Editor” that the political storm of Western disturbances will hit India because elements similar to West Asia exist in India in abundance.Anna Hazare’s movement has proved me right.

Air Marshal P K JAIN( retd), Chandigarh

III

Anna’s movement is pertinent and the need of the hour. Man can make the law but the law cannot make man. A continuous vigil is required to keep a check on the system. To rule out corruption a powerful independent Lokpal, independent investigating agencies, an independent judiciary and major reform of electoral system are needed.

Public has risen under the leadership of Anna. We can be hopeful that things will move in the right direction in future.

YASHOVARDHAN SRIVASTAVA, Patiala

Amend PNDT Act

Despite a plethora of laws, lucrative incentives, well-meaning projects like Nanhi Chhaon and multitude of NGOs engaged in changing the mindset against female foeticide, the gender equality has not caught on with the masses (editorial, “Save girl child” Apr 12). The moot cause is that the authorities have failed to treat it as a socio-economic problem.

Some years ago, the Chief Justice of India had lamented that no amount of legislation can stop female foeticide. The Centre has admitted that the PNDT Act is flawed and needs a fresh look to make it effective.

Dr AMRIT SETHI, Bathinda

II

The skewed sex ratio holds a mirror to our society. (editorial, “The educated killers: Daughters still unwanted in Haryana”, Apr 7). Daughters are now being considered an economic loss. Advanced technology in reproductive healthcare has further aggravated the country’s aversion to daughters. Not only the uneducated but the educated class too is equally guilty. India has in fact become one of the few countries in the world in which there are fewer women and girls. To curb female foeticide, there is a need to amend PNDT Act. Moreover Indians’ attitude towards the fair sex must change.

SOURABH BAMBA, Ferozepur

Operation clean-up

The news report “Operation clean-up” (April 2) by Ajay Banerjee and the editorial “Army Chief’s hard talks” (April 3) aptly cautioned the nation and voiced concern over corruption prevailing in the services. Kudos to Gen. V.K. Singh for his daring declaration to cleanse the Army. Truly corruption has been growing at all levels. To pull the nation out of the morass of corruption is a gigantic task. The decline in values and standards of integrity is a stigma on Army’s fair name.

Is the involvement of senior officers in scams and scandals and corruption cases befitting the hard earned reputation of the army? This trend needs to be arrested at the earliest. Patriotism is dwindling and officer cadre is becoming increasingly careerist, opportunist and sycophant. Undoubtedly national security is in peril. Gen. Singh would be doing yeoman’s service to the nation by correcting the image of the army by purging corrupt officials through exemplary punishment.

Capt. S.K. DATTA, Abohar

Uniform policy The editorial “No policy on Lokayuktas: Law needed to ensure uniformity in states” (Apr 12) has rightly called for a Central law for ensuring uniformity in the functioning of Lokayuktas in states. Indeed, there is no Lokayukta in some states.  If there is any, it is toothless and has obviously failed to tackle corruption effectively.    Incidentally Chief Ministers’ willingness to have Lokayuktas in their respective sates or to empower them adequately will show whether their support for Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption is genuine or not. Now most of them seem to be joining the anti-graft chorus only for remaining in the limelight. In some states, corruption is flourishing like a greenbay tree.   The Centre and the state governments should not hesitate to enact a strong and comprehensible law to eradicate the virus of corruption. This law should not distinguish between a big fish and a small fry. At the same time, civil society should not shy away from acting as watchdog.  HEMA, Langeri, Hoshiarpur