M A I L B A G

Let’s remove all social barriers

The Gohana incident is most unfortunate. All citizens are equal before the law and each one is a respected member of society irrespective of caste, colour or creed. No one is an oppressor or the oppressed. The mindset of the people must change. We have to remove all the artificial barriers created in society by unscrupulous elements whose interests are best served by manipulating such divisions.

True, for some historical reasons, some segments of society could not progress. The Founding Fathers of the Constitution made adequate provisions to ensure that within the shortest possible time this section is uplifted at par with other sections. Society owed this much to their brethren and it has not failed them. However, there is always scope for some shortcomings here and there.

The political and religious outfits, instead of exploiting passions, should try to get the problems redressed by democratic means. They should not create vote banks by artificial dissentions, appeasing one section and condemning the other. If the intentions are honest, even the most volatile situations can be defused.

D.P. KARKARA, Kurukshetra

II

The editorial “Hooda must stand up” (Sept 12) rightly suggested Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to tackle the Gohana incident firmly. The government has to allow the law to take its own course wherever excesses have been committed irrespective of the community involved. In fact, the police has already taken cognisance of the offence committed and registered cases against those involved in the episode.

Lt-Col V.K. NAYYAR (retd), Chandigarh

III

It is the politicians who always try to derive political mileage from caste clashes. At Gohana, no political party came to the rescue of the Jat family whose son Baljit Singh was killed by anti-social elements. The state government has rightly handed over the case to the CBI.

I am sure, the government will not succumb to the pressure of the Sarvkhap Panchayat. It must take stern action against those responsible for the brutal murder of Baljit Singh.

SHYAM LAL SHARMA, Chandigarh

IV

The common citizens were shocked to see the police as mute spectators when anti-social elements were indulging in arson, looting, burning houses and damaging public and private property quite freely. If the government cannot ensure the safety of the citizens, why do we need a government at all?

Actually, the power-hungry politicians, playing the dirty vote bank politics, have been pampering the so-called Dalits. Now, the gin is out of the bottle; the politicians are unable to put it back. The result is disastrous for the nation as well as the civilised society.

A.K.SHARMA, Chandigarh

V

The recent happenings at Gurgaon and Gohana exhibit the total failure of the state machinery. Terror has been struck unabashedly at both places located in the National Capital Region of Haryana. Whether it is politically motivated or engineered by a mob is not relevant. The core question is why do such happenings occur with sickening regularity?

Due respect and recognition should be given to all the classes in society in tune with our constitutional pledge to make India march forward.

BHARAT KARNAL, Karnal

VI

The torching of the Dalits’ houses in Gohana is a shameful incident. The weaker sections lead a miserable life even 58 years after Independence. When will they be treated as equals by the upper caste people?

The incident proves that the law and order authorities have completely failed to protect the lives of the underprivileged. Of what use is the government if it cannot protect the Dalits?

RAJEEV BHATIA, Una

VII

The editorial “Not through violence please” (Sept 3) has rightly exhorted the political leaders not to capitalise on the volatile situation for their narrow partisan ends and instead strive for restoring peace.

The editorial has also asked community leaders to give up obnoxious tendencies and work for the restoration of peace. All of us will have to live together and promote peace and harmony in society.

RAVI SHARMA, Jammu

VIII

Man has tried to conquer even the moon, but the battle of communalism is yet to be conquered. Communal violence has become too common nowadays.

It is a big hurdle in growth and prosperity. Progress is possible only when people shun communalism and march forward unitedly.

ISHA KATOCH, Shimla

PM’s UN address realistic Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s UN address was realistic. He mentioned about the UN’s democracy deficit and listed shortcomings like its structure and decision-making process antiquated to 1945 rather than 2005. The international community has been generous in setting goals but parsimonious in pursuing them. Unless the UN becomes an organisation more representative of the contemporary world with relevance to present concerns and aspirations, its ability to deliver Millennium Development Goals will remain limited. Undue delay in admitting India into the UN Security Council is a travesty of justice as the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy has no representation in it. A.R.K. PILLAI, Mumbai