M A I L B A G

VIP squatters must be thrown out

Acting like Zeus, the Supreme Court has struck thunder on the VIPs violating civilised norms in grabbing public property. This instinct seems to have become second nature with our VIPs. 10, Downing Street, London, has been the British Prime Minister’s official residence since Walpole. And White House the US President’s residence since George Washington.

India, however, has failed to introduce healthy practices. Teen Murti was the first Prime Minister’s official residence. On Nehru’s demise, it was converted into his museum. No code was evolved about the Prime Minister’s House. Some, swayed by fads, numerology etc. sought new residences.

The VIPs dig in their heels in the allotted bungalows as no healthy code has been formulated. Rules should act with their full might to evict VIPs once they demit office. Allotments should be made co-terminus with the office VIPs hold. It is never late to lay down and follow guidelines on public properties. Overstaying VIPs, however high they may be, must be thrown out.

V.I.K. SHARMA, IAS (retd),

Jalandhar City

II

Evidently, the Supreme Court is very much annoyed with Bihar Governor Buta Singh for his arbitrary recommendation for dissolution of the State Assembly and now for his unauthorised occupation of a government bungalow in New Delhi.

The Centre has rightly included Mr Buta Singh’s name on the top of the list of overstaying VIPs that it has submitted to the court. Perhaps, he may have to vacate both his Patna Raj Bhawan and the New Delhi bungalow for his follies.

V. KRISHNAKUMAR,

New Delhi

III

India is a democratic republic and rule of law is the cornerstone of the Constitution. Legal vocabulary does not permit the use of harsh words like “throw him out”. This hits the majesty of law. The goddess of justice is shown as blind because it does not see, it only hears. Just perusing one particular name and remarking “throw him out” is injudicious.

The legislature has laid down a law for vacating a house, which includes imposition of penal rent. There is also a provision under Sections 447/448 IPC for prosecuting the offender for criminal trespass.

Dr DEVINDER SINGH,

Advocate, Amritsar

IV

The Supreme Court has done well in disciplining the VIP lawbreakers. The cruel irony is that these VIPs are our lawmakers too. In the past, whenever these politicians were exposed by the media or indicted by the courts, they were threatening to go to “people’s court”.

The VIPs should know that this time the “people’s court” will not give them any concession. They will have to vacate their official bungalows if they are no more entitled to occupy the same. Otherwise, the law will take its own course and they will be thrown out.

ONKAR CHOPRA, Abohar

V

The Supreme Court had to intervene to evict illegal VIP squatters. Politicians encourage infiltration to secure their vote banks. Reservation has become an unholy tool to further their interests. They encourage slums for the very same reason. They incite communal and caste riots for short term gains.

They would support officials involved in corruption and scams. They would play petty politics even in providing succour to victims of natural and manmade calamities. The system has crumbled because of today’s selfish politicians.

UDITA AGRAWAL, New Delhi

Costlier houses With the increase in population, the demand for houses is also increasing. Government agencies are not constructing enough houses. As a result, private builders are making good money. The common man is generating black money for builders through corrupt practices. The prices of houses and land have gone sky rocketing. When the onion prices go suddenly high, the Prime Minister and his colleagues get worried. Why is there no regulatory authority to control the prices of houses and land? It must stop black money forthwith. Col DEVENDRA SINGH (retd), Rohini, Delhi

Crisis in BJP

Amulya Ganguly’s article, “BJP groping in the dark” (Oct 13), evokes mixed feelings. Of late, due to provincial politics gaining strength in the form of regional and caste-based parties, the country’s polity and strength has taken a beating, reminiscent of our past history.

Why and how the invaders and traders humbled us, we must learn from history and that is why the subject is important. Two-party system alone is best suited to India as it will check divisive forces raising their ugly heads.

The BJP should shed its skin of unhistorical beliefs, dogma and religion. It should emerge as an alternative party with ethical values and universal outlook. Only then, it can regain people’s confidence.

B.M. SINGH,

Brockville (Canada)

Help quake victims

Let the countrymen donate generously money, medicines, material and manpower as a humanitarian gesture for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the grieving people hit hard by the earthquake in the Uri sector of India’s Kashmir and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

CHAMAN SINGH,

Bhucho (Bathinda)