M A I L B A G

Crucial issues facing Punjab

Mr Khushwant Singh’s article “Hindu-Sikh Relations”
(Nov 3 and Nov 4) is a document of facts related to the socio-political relations of two main communities of Punjab. He has reached the right conclusion that the concept of Khalistan is an outcome of rivalry of the hardliners of these communities. Now the right course for the people of Punjab is to live like brothers and sisters for making the state a land of peace and prosperity.

The two-part article should be read by all Punjabis living in India and abroad for enlightening themselves about the crucial issues facing Punjab. The Tribune deserves congratulations for publishing articles that will prove beneficial for Punjab and its people.

dr pritam saini, Sangrur

II

Mr Khushwant Singh’s articles on “Hindu-Sikh relations” are informative, thought-provoking and inspiring. We all share a single ideology and philosophy of life. Take away the concepts of Atma, Paramatma, Absolute, Maya, Karma and Punrajanam. These concepts are central to not only Hinduism but also to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and so on. The points of similarity among these ideologies far outnumber the differences.

The differences between the two communities are also political, not-religious. Guru Arjan Dev’s statement, “We are neither Hindus nor Musalmaans” implies that the Guru was above sectarian considerations because only such an interpretation would be worthy of the Guru’s stature. Let us start working for equality among all Indians. Let us see “All in One and One in All.”

l.r. sharma, Jalandhar

III

I have gone through the two very informative articles (Nov 3 and 4) by Mr Khushwant Singh, an eminent scholar. He has very rightly said that we should revive the old spirit of “Nahun Maas Da Rishta”. Before Partition, marriages between the two sister communities were very common. I would suggest that the good old tradition be revived to strengthen the bonds of love. igar has rightly said, “Unka jo aqueeda hia woh ahl-e-sayaasat jaanen, Mera paigham mohabat hai, jahantak pahunche.”

K.G. Sapra, Amritsar

Loudspeakers back in action The silence was defeaning! But only for a few weeks. After the episode at Sector 18 Church, all loudspeakers fell silent. One by one they are back in action. And it could only happen to a church. As it could only happen to Graham Stains. Gurdwaras and mandirs resort to free home delivery of religion, loudspeakers blaring at all odd hours to shatter the serenity of the world still asleep. And they are allowed to do so, without hindrance. The Deputy Commissioner has said he would send an official to find out whether the noise level was within permissible limits. Permissible limits? These loudspeakers can be heard kilometres away! From Kansal, I can hear the loudspeaker in Khuda Ali Sher. The Kansal loudspeakers can be heard in the Secretariat. While walking in the Bougainvillaea Garden (Sector 3) in the early morning, the loudspeaker in the Secretariat Gurudwara can be heard. Social scientists and doctors have confirmed that unnecessary and unwanted noise leads to sleeplessness, stress, nervous disorders, leading to heart attacks. Is this what our religious institutions are doing for us? It is a most thoughtless act and definitely an anti-social activity. It is also against the law. h. kishie singh, Chandigarh

People-friendly SHO

I had the opportunity to witness a new facet of the much-criticised Haryana Police recently. I got a case registered under Sec 420 IPC against the Cement Corporation of India for duping me of the earnest money furnished along with their tender floated in 1999. The court had recently ordered to the Yamuna Nagar Police Station for investigation of the case. On Oct 28, 2003, the police went to the CCI office and issued a notice to them.

Surprisingly, on Nov 4, when the CCI officials came to the police station, Yamunanagar SHO Balram was much prepared with the details of the case. He gave a patient hearing to both sides and did not procrastinate the matter. He dealt with the task with a strong focus on the subject and devoted much of his precious time without an iota of arrogance (usually found among policemen). He issued another notice asking for relevant documents for investigation within a week. If cases are speeded up in this fashion by both the judiciary and the police, I am sure, the huge backlog of cases will vanish in no time.

Mr Balram also showed us a ready reference format to keep track of the daily cases registered for investigation in his Police Station.

ankit goel, Yamunanagar

Scrap stamp paper

The Centre and the states should stop forthwith the sale of stamp paper. Let all writing henceforth be on plain bond paper. Let the Treasury Officer and the prescribed vendors who sell stamp paper issue receipts bearing full particulars of the individual and the amount duly stamped and signed. The receipt should be fixed on the first sheet of the bond paper. This will overcome the use of stamp paper forever. This is the only feasible solution. This will also solve the problem of printing, stocking and selling. The bond paper along with the receipt issued by the Treasury Officer should serve the purpose.

LT-COL P.S. SARANG (retd), Chandigarh

Clarification

Apropos of the editorial “Murders most foul” (Nov 5), Sushil Sharma was not the president of the Delhi Youth Congress when he allegedly killed Naina Sahani. In fact, he was removed from the post on December 14, 1994 for misconduct while the unfortunate incident took place on July 2, 1995, i.e. after seven months. He was not holding any post either in the Youth Congress or the parent body on July 2, 1995.

Secondly, having maintained its commitment for a crime-free society and polity, Sushil Shrma was expelled from the primary membership of the Congress soon after the incident came to light.

RANDEEP SINGH SURJEWALA, President, Indian Youth Congress, New Delhi