M A I L B A G

Tighten norms for teachers’ recruitment

I refer to the editorial “Teachers as vultures” (Feb 21). The disturbing trend in Haryana schools is mainly because of the kind of people being recruited as teachers. As I am engaged in food grains business, I have to deal with farmers, most of whom are “teachers”. They hardly look like teachers. They cannot even sign their name correctly in Hindi, let alone in English. They are quarrelsome and badmouthed.

The so-called “teachers” attend schools now and then, buy cheap liquor in the evening, gulp it down in a hurry and leave for their respective villages by illegal vehicles plying in the countryside. They either go standing or travel on the rooftops of the vehicles. Against this background, how can one expect these “teachers” to act as role models for the students?

The government should crack the whip and cleanse the temples of education of such people. To begin with, it has to tighten norms for recruitment of teachers to various schools in the state.

RAMESH GUPTA, Narauna

II

The increasing cases of rape in Haryana schools by teachers should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. These incidents have brought shame and disgrace to the entire teaching community. Of what care, instructions and manners one can expect from such voluptuous teachers?

To protect the modesty of the school students, these lusty teachers should be given rigorous punishment like dismissal from service and life or death sentence. Mere suspension, transfer or departmental inquiry against the culprits is no punishment at all.

ONKAR SINGH, Nijjaran

III

It is inconceivable that teachers, who are considered close to God in our society, could turn rapists. They have broken the trust in the teaching fraternity. Sadly, such reports failed to wake up Haryana’s khap panchayats.

When overwhelming sexual offences are committed in rural areas, why the so-called guardians of panchayats shirking away from their responsibility leaving their daughters defenceless? Wolfs in the guise of educators have put an enduring blemish on the pious teacher-student relationship. These beasts deserve severe punishment and social boycott.

SURESH KHOSLA, Chandigarh

Alternative to pay panels Why should we have pay commissions and wage boards? These panels take their own time to give their recommendations. The employees — at the Centre and in the states — will have to wait for years for their reports and subsequent implementation by which time the new pay scales so introduced become totally out of tune with the rising consumer price index. Alternatively, the Centre and the states should have periodic bipartite agreements with either the joint consultative machinery or employees’ unions across the table on pay revision. This system is already in vogue in most public sector undertakings, nationalised banks and insurance companies. Surely, this system will help the employees as they will get justice within a reasonable timeframe and to their satisfaction. S.K. KHOSLA, Chandigarh

MPs’ expulsion

Parliament’s right to expel 11 tainted MPs involved in the cash-for-questions scam cannot be questioned. But the aggrieved members should have been provided reasonable opportunity of personal hearing before expulsion. Obviously, as this was not done, they had to approach the court for justice.

Now that the Supreme Court has referred the matter to the Constitution Bench, confrontation between Parliament and the judiciary must be avoided. At the same time, a constitutional amendment, giving the members the right to be heard before they are expelled, has become necessary in the interest of justice and fairplay.

HARI CHAND SHANKAR, Advocate, Ambala Cantonment

In defence of BJP

Satish Misra’s comment in his article “Present tense, future uncertain” that the BJP, after it lost power in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, has been in disarray is incorrect. Rajnath Singh’s choice as the party’s new chief in preference to other seasoned leaders should dispel doubts that its ranks are directionless and in disarray.

Rajnath Singh is hardly 54 years, experienced and dynamic. He will surely be able to build up the party. He has all the traits to bring back the party to power once again.

AMARJIT SINGH BEDI, Hoshiarpur

Lawyers in politics

Lawyers are an integral part of the judicial system. Their active involvement in politics degrades the respect of the judiciary as well as of themselves in the eyes of the people. I am surprised to see Mr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the Congress spokesperson, speaking to the media on political questions in his formal dress code as the Supreme Court lawyer. There are many more examples of active politicians like Mr Arun Jaitley of the BJP practicing in the courts.

Politics should not be allowed to penetrate into the temples of justice even indirectly through these lawyers. Like judges and other government staff, lawyers too should be banned from joining politics.

RUPINDERJEET PANDWALA, Dera Bassi

Sikh representation

During a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal has urged due representation to the Sikhs on the Central Film Censor Board and the Textbook Board. However, they did not call for nomination of Sikh representative in the state legislatures.

The Governors of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and other states nominate eminent Anglo-Indians to their respective state legislatures. Provision should be made for nomination of Sikhs also to these legislatures due to their immense contribution to the socio-economic development of the states.

NARINDER SINGH, Chandigarh