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Now TV defines which rape is brutal

It is unfortunate that the level of brutality of a crime like rape is being defined by the electronic media. Those rape cases which are flashed on prime time on news channels are being provided with speedy investigation and trial.

The whole political class and the police authorities are giving extra attention to the Mumbai rape case while a so-called guru, accused in a minor girl's rape case, is still at large. The police authorities should treat the culprits in both cases equally.

BHAGWAN DASS, Bathinda

II

Why did the Dalit girl, raped and killed in Haryana on August 25 at Jind, not get the same media attention and invite public protests? The police reportedly did not file a case as it was a Sunday. It seems that the media and NGOs take up a rape case, rather vociferously, only if it happens in Mumbai or Delhi. Media attention-seeking protesters perhaps are unaware of the pain of victims and their families.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

III

There is a need to analyse the underlying factors leading to frequent assaults on women. Even those who provoke a rape through erotic pictures and material should be punished. Moreover, we all know that cable TV channels and porn magazines are two major factors for corrupting youngsters. Films carrying sex scenes or semi-clad heroines must be banned. Also, there is an urgent need to check pornography in newspapers and magazines.

DR R K SHARMA, Faridabad

PRATIBHA SINGH, Kurukshetra

V

Certainly, humanity has long been absent from this country. This is not what our forefathers and centuries-old culture taught us. Now what do people have to say: Was the length of her fabric small enough? Or, did it happen at night (the time when such wolves are ready to prey upon their targets). The criminals are not just the five people, but also the government which has over the years failed to take strict action against them.

RUPALI NARULA, Patiala

VI

In the present dismal scenario when our mindset is not amenable to change, conviction rate is alarmingly low and justice cannot be delivered speedily, the whole talk of prevention of crime against women is a sham. The perverted mindset, especially of youngsters, is the outcome of sizzling scenes on TV channels and in films, illiteracy and unemployment. This is substantiated by the fact that rapists are commonly illiterate, unemployed and indulge in nefarious activities such as theft, gambling and drinking to make easy money and resort to immoral adventures. Moral values have never been inculcated in them. It is futile to talk of change of mindset every time a rape occurs. As long as the conviction rate remains low, rapes will continue happening.

DR SOSHIL RATTAN, Amritsar

VII

Nearly 80 per cent of today's cinema-goers and TV serial viewers are young, impressionable boys and girls. Naturally, every good or bad scene creates an indelible impression on their minds. So, rape scenes must be banned by the censor board in the interest of overall morality in public life.

BRIJ BHUSHAN MITTAL, Chandigarh

Good verdict

This refers to the article 'Saving Parliament' (August 22) by Kuldip Nayar. I fully endorse the writer's views decrying the presence of tainted legislators in the hallowed precincts of Parliament. A convict remains a convict until acquitted by the court. The Supreme Court, in its landmark judgement, has debarred all convicted persons from contesting elections. How can a lawbreaker be a lawmaker? It seems that the days of corrupt Chief Ministers like Lalu Prasad and Shibu Soren are over. These modern emperors cannot fool us now.

Pran Salhotra, Gurdaspur

Plight of disabled

The editorial 'Unfriendly system' (August 13) has rightly highlighted the plight of the disabled in Punjab. To give effect to the proclamation on the full participation and equality of the people with disabilities in the Asia and Pacific region, our Parliament passed the "Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act" in 1995. The Act, approved by the President in 1996, guarantees to safeguard the rights of the disabled. But the irony is that most of the disabled are hardly getting even 20 per cent of the facilities promised to them. The state and Central governments have always ignored them and denied giving them their dues. They can be seen running from pillar to post for getting their disability pension and other works done.

B K JETHI, Khanna

What an achievement! This refers to the editorial ‘Onion price spiral’ (August 23). In the 66 years of Independence, the biggest achievement of our government is that onion, the most basic vegetable to be used in Indian kitchen regularly, has become an unaffordable item. It is now costlier than petrol and the dollar. On one hand, the UPA government wants to “help” 67 per cent of the public by the food security Bill, but on the other, it has failed to check inflation. If we calculate one onion costs more than Rs 6. Where are those leaders who recently claimed that the one-time meal is available at Rs 5 in Delhi and Rs 12 in Mumbai? PARMINDER SINGH, Ludhiana