M A I L B A G

Time to check atrocities against women

The editorial “Protecting women” (June 29) is informative. All political parties should join hands for a common cause and ensure the smooth passage of the Bill to prevent domestic violence in the ensuing session of Parliament. This will ensure a secure and decent living for women, especially those belonging to the downtrodden and weaker sections of society.

Just as women have to contribute their might in national development, society too is duty-bound to ensure them an honourable life. It may be recalled that the law gives a special right to women under Articles 14, 15 (3) and 21 of the Constitution. Women must live honourably and with dignity. Atrocities against women should come to an end.

Dr DEVINDER SINGH,
Advocate, Amritsar

II

Women, undoubtedly, are victimised by their in-laws and husbands for long. However, many husbands are also at the receiving end of their wives’ tantrums. The talk of women’s empowerment and a measure of success in this direction have, unfortunately, led to an ugly situation.

Women suffer from ego problem. This has a negative fallout. Either egoistic women have a complete sway over their weak husbands or their relationship with their equally pigheaded spouses is marked by strife and conflict. This point needs to be kept in mind while examining the Bill in question.

AKHILESH,
Birampur (Hoshiarpur)

Need to enforce bylaws Illegal constructions in residential and commercial areas are on the rise. Such constructions due to building bylaw violation or encroachment are a matter of serious concern. The situation arising out of the illegal structures is tantamount to continued human rights violation. It imposes duty upon the civic bodies to enforce building bylaws in letter and spirit, thus protecting and maintaining a healthy environment. The citizens should also help protect the environment by respecting the building bylaws. Article 51A (g) of the Constitution imposes fundamental duty on citizens to protect and improve the natural environment. The law, however, does not recognise the right to compensation for the right deprivation. In 1983, the court overruled this provision in a case arising out of the wrongful detention and awarded monetary compensation to the person for depriving of his rights at the hands of the state. More recently, the National Human Rights Commission has awarded monetary relief in custodial deaths during 1984-94 to the kin of victims. The recompense given is an important step. Dr GURKIRPAL SINGH, Ludhiana

Against PM’s advice

Seven Deputy Commissioners in Haryana, with short tenure of about three months have been transferred. Were all of them performing below par? No. The Panipat Deputy Commissioner, for instance, launched a vigorous campaign against encroachments, illegal colonisation and unauthorised constructions. Consequently, politicians, corrupt officials and the land mafia have succeeded in getting him transferred.

This shows the Haryana Government in a poor light, what with the blatant disregard of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s opinion that District Collectors/ Deputy Commissioners should have a fixed tenure. If the Prime Minister’s advice is thrown to the wind like this in a state ruled by his own party, one could imagine the state of affairs in other states.

VISHWA MITRA, Panipat

No room for dissent

If there is one man who took defunct Hindutva ideology of some socio-cultural organisations from the margins, right into the centre of Indian politics, he is L.K. Advani. One would think that the RSS and the VHP would be grateful to him. Wrong.

Mr Advani doles out some polite words on Jinnah and he is branded as a “traitor”. There is no room for debate and dissent in the Sangh Parivar and hence high level of intolerance.

It is now for the BJP to decide whether it now wants to be associated with such organisations or become a “normal” secular party. Mr Vajpayee and Mr Advani will have to take this decision knowing fully that India will never compromise on moderation and tolerance.

PRANAV SACHDEVA,
New Delhi

Make it public

Reports say the underground chambers of the Nathpa Jhakri Project which function as desilting chambers are the most voluminous and largest in the world. These chambers work, instead of open flow (top surface open to atmosphere), under pressure flow. So their design is unique.

We are also told that the design (before its adoption) had been checked by model tests carried out by a Pune organisation. Model prototype conformity tests have also been carried out by the same organisation.

Will the details of the model tests be made public so that researchers and designers can adopt the designs elsewhere with confidence?

Dr G.S. DHILLON,
Chandigarh