M A I L B A G

Let’s have an India at peace with itself

In his front-page editorial, “Let’s have an India at peace with itself” (Jan 1), H.K. Dua has warned our countrymen about the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the country. The Centre and the states should realise the gravity of the situation and take urgent remedial measures to curb violence and ensure peace and stability in the country.

Today, there is greater threat to the unity and integrity of the country from internal disruptive elements rather than external forces. The media must continue to keep the public informed about the gravity of the situation and goad the authorities to check social unrest. The people must rise above caste, creed and resolve not to vote for criminals in the Assembly and Parliament elections.

Brig DALIP SINGH SANDHU (retd), Patiala

II

The editorial is an eye-opener. There is chaos everywhere. The Naxalites and militants strike in every state. The politicians are wasting time in criticising each other. No one is bothered about the happenings.

Unfortunately, there is no all-party consensus to solve the problems affecting the nation. The politicians are divided and the Centre and the states are ineffective to tackle any problem. Unless the politicians change their mindset, we cannot tackle internal strife and ensure peace in the New Year.

D.R. SHARDA, Chandigarh

III

Mr Dua has rightly expressed concern on the growing violence, imbalance between inflation and growth rate and deteriorating social and political system. In the name of secularism, people are dealt with in a manner that they always remain at loggerheads.

What should we expect from ministers moving in bullet-proof cars with high security cover at the taxpayers’ expense? A political leader must keep looking over his shoulders all the time to see if the electorate are still there. If they are not, he is no longer a political leader. To reverse the drift in unchecked violence, corruption and nepotism, let us brace ourselves and pray for peace.

JAGTAR SINGH, Mohali

IV

For tackling criminalisation of politics, people must ensure that law breakers do not become law makers. How can one expect tolerance and non-violence from criminals being elected as MLAs, MPs and then becoming ministers?

The political parties must introspect and try to evolve a consensus against giving tickets to criminals. They should rise above petty politics and stop thinking about the “winnability” factor.

The vote-bank politics is a bane of our political system. Political expediency is considered a boon rather than bane. For the good of the nation, political parties should devote their attention to politics of development and consensus.

GURDERSHAN SINGH, Chandigarh

V

Mr Dua’s front-page editorial truly expresses the anguish of a civilised society. Reference has been made to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Gujarat carnage and Nandigram killings. These have one negative aspect in common that makes them abominable.

Reports suggested that violence was not checked, action against the culprits was either not taken or was so half-hearted that it benefited the culprits and the wrong doers. This implied that violence was being supported and/or encouraged by those who were duty-bound to protect the victims.

When Babar looted, plundered and killed the innocent public, his subject, Guru Nanak complained to the Almighty and lamented thus, “How it is that ruthless torture on the part of the King and wails of the subject did not evoke pity in You?”

R.S. BHATIA, Chandigarh

VI

While I appreciate the basic tenor of the front-page editorial, I do not share the view that India has given her ethos of tolerance, forgiveness and compensation a go by. Agreed, the incidence of violence in the country has, over the years, increased. It is, however, attributable to population explosion and several other extraneous factors. The core of the country’s ethos, by and large, remains intact.

Nevertheless, the powers that be must tirelessly strive to preserve, protect and promote the nation’s rich ethos for which India is known the world over. To conclude, the sour-stirring editorial seems Mr Dua’s rare New Year gift to The Tribune’s countless readers.

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

VII

All of us must resolve to build an India free from want, unemployment, corruption, crime, exploitation and communal divide. This task can be accomplished if the situation is congenial and conducive, if our roads are safe for women, if talent is nurtured, if our politicians sincerely try to serve the people, if our youth is vibrant and dedicated and if rule of law prevails. let us rise above parochialism, casteism, communalism and regionalism.

Every citizen should strive to work with conscience and conviction. If criticism is constructive, it will hold the key to best performance. Idealistic youth should join hands to work for nation building and stem the tide of terrorism and intolerance.

JARNAIL SINGH BRAR, Bathinda

VIII

Mr Dua aptly highlighted the need for peace in India by removing all obstacles on its way. Once elected, some politicians feel free to commit wrongs. Those with criminal charges have entered the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assemblies. The sooner the Election Commission devises an effective arrangement to bar their entry into representative institutions the better it would be for the nation’s health. Criminialisation of politics can be checked if there is a provision for recalling the criminals among our elected representatives.

Successive governments have failed to tackle the forces of Naxalism and terrorism. There seems to be no chance for peace in the near future. For this, the countrymen need to heed the advice of Albert Einstein: “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”

IQBAL SINGH, Bijhari (HP)