M A I L B A G

Cops must help people, not torture them

I refer to the editorial “Poor Captaincy” (Sept 23) and the front-page picture (Sept 22). Both speak volumes for the highhandedness of the Punjab Police. It seems difficult to believe that we are living in a democracy. Is this the Free India that Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhagat Singh and others fought for? The photograph clearly defines why we in India are more afraid of encountering the police than the criminals.

We can defend ourselves from the criminals but not from the police. In developed countries, when people are in trouble, they find the police beside them. But, in India, it is just the other way round. Unfortunately, the police personnel in our country are considered as yet another source of trouble. Hope things will change for the better in the times to come.

HARBINDER, Chandigarh

II

Police brutality in any form should be condemned as it has no place in a democracy. The Ludhiana incident should not be repeated. All the police officers present on the spot should be immediately shifted and a judicial inquiry ordered into the deplorable episode. Action brooks no delay as in the case of the IRS officer’s assault at Amritsar.

GURPAL SINGH SEKHON, Patiala

III

The Ludhiana incident proves the highhandedness of the state police. The police have no sympathy for the protesters. It is debatable whether people should avoid protest movements that lead to police action. But a question arises whether students should protest before the completion of their training?

Every untoward incident is a sad reflection on the negligence and ineffectiveness of the government to tackle problems. It is the government’s duty to provide employment to the jobless. If jobs are not given, how can we call it a welfare state?

N.M. HANSI, Ludhiana

BJP’s predicament THE editorial “Directionless at Dehradun: BJP is ill-equipped to play its role” (Sept 13) was thought provoking. It rightly pointed out a sad reflection of political wilderness of the times that “Post-Dehradun, the BJP is as directionless as it was before. It reflects on the pre-eminent Opposition party.” However, the most shocking point is Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s larger-than-life presence and his “statesman-like” statements raise doubts whether the leadership will eventually fall on him. I am sure, under his leadership, the BJP will surely bite the dust, because in India there is no place for Nero (as The Supreme Court indicate Narendra Modi for the Gujarat pogrom). It seems that the BJP is unable to learn that Hindu fanaticism has no place in India. He may have won in Gujarat after his government’s heinous activities, but in the 2004 general election, he lost almost 50 per cent seats to the Congress. BIDYUT  KUMAR CHATTERJEE, Faridabad

Change in Thailand

The recent political change in Thailand has attracted a lot of attention from the Indian media and the general public. This is due to the close cordial relations existing between Thailand and India.

The political change was undertaken by the “Council for Democratic Reform under Constitution Monarchy” without any violence or resistance. It was compelled to undertake the mission for various reasons incurred by the previous government, namely, the lack of political confidence in Thailand and impasse of political differences; drastic increase in disunity among Thai people; signs of rampant corruption, malfeasance and widespread nepotism; inability to proceed with the reform process as intended by the Constitution; interference in national independent agencies, crippling their ability to function properly and to effectively solve the nation’s problems; and deterioration of social justice. For these reasons, the political change turned out to be peaceful.

The Council declared not to take up any governmental roles and promised to restore peace, unity and justice in Thailand. A provisional constitution will be in place in a fortnight and a new government under a civilian Prime Minister will be formed. The mechanisms for democratic reform will soon be reinstated, which would enable a legislative body responsible for legislation and the drafting of the new constitution to be established. This process, which will eventually lead to general elections, should be completed within one year.

Thailand’s foreign policy will remain unchanged, and the existing relationship between Thailand and India shall continue to be fostered and enhanced. I would like to stress that Thailand remains a safe place for tourists. The Suvarnabhumi International Airport will be inaugurated on September 28 as scheduled. Thailand’s investment policy remains the same.

The Council’s intervention is aimed at strengthening democracy in Thailand in the long run. I am certain that this new chapter in the Thai political history will unfold itself to be accepted by the international community.

CHIRASAK THANESNANT, Thailand Ambassador to India, New Delhi