M A I L B A G

Politics of renaming in Haryana

Renaming drama is not new in Haryana. There is a need to develop a healthy convention on the issue. When Haryana came into existence, some institutions were named after the cities of their location. This is a healthy emulation of the British practice. The naming of Kurukshetra University and HAU are classic examples.

The institutions of Haryana Tourism were aesthetically named after the birds. Then came the system of naming the institutions after the leaders. This is not wrong, but a system has to function to streamline the whole thing.

Dr TEJINDER SHARMA, Kurukshetra

II

The renaming of Tau Devi Lal Thermal Power Station to Panipat Power Station is unfair. It amounts to showing disrespect to erstwhile leaders of the state. Though the then Chief Minister O. P. Chautala should not have renamed several institutions after Tau Devi Lal, the Hooda government has no right to meddle with the names again. In the present regime, every major project is named after the members of a particular family. Is this proper?

HARINDER PAL SINGH, Mohali

Beyond court’s powers I have been practicing as a lawyer for the last 56 years. The Supreme Court ruling on compulsory registration of all marriages is surprising. The court cannot direct the Centre and the states to pass any such law. Enactment of legislation or Act is the legislature’s exclusive domain. Hence, the directive in question is outside the court’s purview. Suppose the government does not obey the court directive. Can the latter take any action against the former? I think not, because the court’s directive is beyond the powers conferred on it by the Constitution. Suffice it to mention, all the three wings of the state — the legislature, the executive and the judiciary — should work harmoniously without encroaching upon each other’s powers. AMRIK SINGH, Advocate, Chandigarh

Bane of the system

The editorial “Shut and open” (Feb 10) is timely. This continued practice is the bane of our system. The Supreme Court intervention, welcome though, may push the case into a chasm; it may not check the mob mentality on which some communal leaders have been feeding.

The talk of compensation or relocation is aimed at keeping the surviving victims from feeling too bad about the gory happenings. A classic example is the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The only way to stem communal violence is to fix accountability on the head of the state. Then only the law and order machinery can be effective.

Lt-Col CHANAN SINGH DHILLON (retd), Ludhiana

Postal delay

A letter posted by my sister on October 27, 2005, from Rehna in Kangra district, reached me at Sanawar in Solan district on February 21 after a gap of almost four months! I am deeply indebted to the postal department because this was a very important letter.

My sister usually writes to me twice a year — one on Rakhi and another on Bhaiya Dooj. The one I received the other day was last year’s Bhaiya Dooj letter.

Dr V.K. SHARMA, Senior Housemater, The Lawrence School, Sanawar

Against wheat import

Dr S.S. Johl’s article “Wheat import: it is a bad decision” (Feb 22) is timely. The country used to export wheat earlier. And now we have to import wheat. He rightly said that the present Union Ministers seem to be more interested in importing wheat rather than managing the stock properly.

In 1989, a similar request was turned down by the then Prime Minister. Surprisingly, the Union Agriculture Ministry is supporting this move. Why? The article is a sad commentary on the hasty decision-making process.

M.P.S. RANDHAWA, Dhapai (Kapurthala)

Naval Rates mutiny

This has reference to the article on the 1946 Naval Rates mutiny. Very few people are aware of the role played by Naval Rates in forcing the British to leave India.

Mutiny in the armed forces is not permitted but given the circumstances and the Naval Rates’ fight against the foreign rulers, they should be given the status of freedom fighters like INA. It won’t be too late if the government recognised their struggle even today. Moreover, it was because of their struggle that the Indian Navy has today the best facilities for the men among the three defence services.

Com KASHMIR SINGH (retd) (Indian Navy), Jalandhar

Conserve fuel

The petrol and diesel prices have increased considerably. We should cut use of petrol. The government is the biggest user of petrol and diesel. Unnecessary use of cars, helicopters, airplanes should be stopped. Misuse of government vehicles for personal use by ministers and top officers must be stopped.

Politicians waste lot of fuel during elections. Our road transport staff are equally guilty. Bus drivers keep the engine on even while parking the vehicles in the bus stand. The government should first learn to save this precious fuel and set an example for others.

ANKUSH JINDAL, Patiala