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

The police needs to change colonial mindset

Undoubtedly, there have been several instances where a well-led police force has played a crucial role in preventing riots and also in checking a challenging law and order situation in India. Policemen, on certain occasions, have made supreme sacrifice bringing laurels to the entire force. But the recent incidents of police atrocities across the country are really shocking and should be an eye opener for all of us. A truck driver was allegedly beaten to death for refusing to pay bribe of Rs 5,000 by constables at the regional transport office in Chandauli.

Similarly, the police firing on protesting farmers in Pune that left three dead is an example of the blatant disregard for human life. The Juvenile Justice Board filed a criminal complaint against four police officials in a court in Kapurthala for alleged illegal detention and torture of a minor at the Begowal police station.

 Poor police performance is inevitable because the system of governance is dysfunctional. Political pressures, corruption, underpaid personnel, extensive and rigorous training with modern technology are responsible for the prevailing situation. There is also a need to reform the Indian police force to overcome the colonial mindset and organizational pattern that it follows even to this day.

S K KHOSLA, Chandigarh

Monkey menace

This refers to the news report, “Man-animal conflict” (September 26). In this regard I would like to express my views on the menace of monkeys in our state. Himachal Pradesh, known for its serenity and scenic beauty, is turning into a concrete jungle day by day. Deforestation has resulted in the destruction of the natural habitat of many birds and animals like leopards, langurs and monkeys, which in turn has resulted in their moving to the main cities and towns.

ANJALI SHARMA, Dagshai Cantt

Badals & bungling

Every citizen of Punjab is thankful to The Tribune for its exhaustive investigation unfolding the criminal conspiracy in framing the transport policy and consequent bungling by the Badal government, which has opened the eyes of the public at large.

How can Punjab be the number one state, as declared in various half page advertisements issued by the Punjab government, when such scandalous acts of omission and commission are highlighted almost on a daily basis? It is a sheer wastage of tax payers’ money. Even on many other occasions, Badals and bungling have gone together, such as monopoly of cable TV network and police atrocities against employees, teachers and farmers. The print media deserves a pat for exposing “loot and carry” policy of father and son. Land scandal (under investigation) in Kapurthala, involving Bibi Jagir Kaur with the Badals’ blessings may open a Pandora’s Box in times to come.

The public has awakened now to throw the Badal’s out of power by exercising their franchise in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Why have the Badals not spoken a word to rebut these serious allegations? Should silence be construed as admission? William Shakespeare says: “Lawless are they that make their wills their law.”

JAGDISH SINGH SARPAL, Chandigarh

Dreams of a great soul I greatly appreciate the thoughtful and inspiring article, “Why Shaheed Bhagat Singh enjoys mass appeal” (September 28) written by Manpreet Singh Badal. Sardar Bhagat Singh epitomized the finest traits of an intellectual-revolutionary. His selfless love for our country still moves us deeply and inspires us to be loyal to our motherland and sensible towards our suffering and exploited people. The relevance of Bhagat Singh in the present day India cannot be underestimated. Bhagat Singh has come to be accepted as our national hero and an authentic symbol of our dogged resistance against the powerful British Raj. He had” the most comprehensive soul” as a revolutionary whose life did not show any hiatus between his theory and practice. He certainly ruled out the possibility of the existence of God, yet he had himself become a legend and a god-like figure in his own lifetime through his exemplary conduct and unique courage of conviction to take on the mighty alien rulers. He has become our folk hero, and our people, cutting across our narrow considerations of caste and creed, will always gratefully recall his supreme sacrifice for our motherland. He had a great vision to transform our country into a land of equality, liberty and fraternity and communal harmony. He wanted the villages, towns and even small hamlets to benefit from the light of knowledge and fresh air of democracy and socialism. And he wanted to change the old rotten socio-economic and political system with the help of socialist ideas and not only guns and pistols. But the great martyr’s dreams of removing extreme poverty, unemployment, exploitation of man by man and ending communal hatred still remain unfulfilled. Dr RAJ RAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad