M A I L B A G

Time to get rid of criminals

HK. Dua’s front-page editorial, “Parliament: Haven for criminals” (Feb 3), was inspiring and thought provoking. India, after 60 years of independence, has become a cesspool of corruption. Political leaders are openly patronising criminals with tickets to become MPs, MLAs and then ministers. Surprisingly, our leaders are quite at ease with these criminals in Parliament and state legislatures. As the criminals are honourable members, they enjoy the immunity of law. They make laws for the law-abiding citizens. What an irony!

Mahatma Gandhi’s high ideals of morality, non-violence, honesty and integrity have lost relevance with our present-day leaders today. Gandhiji’s statues and portraits adorning the walls and portals of Parliament serve no purpose. The people want to stem the rot, but the political leaders have no will to change the system. Hope wiser counsel will prevail over our leaders.

GURDEV SINGH, Mohali

II

Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of India with clean politics and administration, but his soul must be cursing the prevailing system represented by the corrupt politicians and criminals. Before Independence, when Gandhiji learnt that corruption was rampant among politicians in the Congress-ruled states, he warned the party that he would go to any length for giving the party a decent burial rather than putting up with corruption.

The political parties are responsible for this putrescent democracy where criminals and corrupt are honoured with party tickets to usurp political power. Here means do not matter. Horses and donkeys are shoved in the same stable with ensured immunity from conviction for culpable misdeeds, no matter how serious the accusations are. It is they who make laws for the country’s citizens.

Till we understand the need for honest individuals, the nation will continue to be governed by die-hard criminals. Mob, money and muscle have become important factors to shape our political system. To give solemn effect to the corrupt political system, the people will have to change their mindset first.

Col KULDIP SINGH GREWAL (retd), Patiala

III

Regrettably, increasing criminalisation in politics has affected governance. The politicians should be role models for the people. However, many MPs and MLAs have criminal background. A law must be enacted to bar persons charged with criminal offences from entering Parliament and state legislatures. Persons against whom charges have been framed should not be allowed to contest elections.

Ours is the world’s largest democracy. The entire world is watching us. We must take immediate action to root out criminalisation of politics.

G.R. KALRA, Chandigarh

Help trauma victims

Maratha Group, an NGO of Mumbai’s auto drivers, has offered free service to ferry trauma casualties on railways to the nearest hospital. In consultation with the railway authorities, a coordination committee has been set up for providing speedy medical aid to the victims without any hassles. As part of the humanitarian service, two auto ambulances have been stationed at the Mumbai railway station round the clock.

Why cannot the auto driver’s union at Chandigarh similarly offer services to the victims of road/rail accidents in the Tricity and, of course, under the guidance of the police? Many precious lives can be saved if the victims of accidents are promptly carried to the nearest hospital.

PARUL BHARDWAJ, Chandigarh

Organ banks

I read the news item, “Kidney trade mastermind was not MBBS” (Jan 30). The Union Government’s call for voluntary donation of organs with the double incentive of health insurance and rail concession will hopefully popularise voluntary organ donation.

Opening of organ retrieval banking organisation across the country will benefit the people in dire need of organs for transplant, besides discouraging illegal operation of organs trade centres. The state must tighten its grip over professional culprits playing havoc with the innocents’ lives. It should not let them go scot-free.

Dr GULSHAN BIR KAUR, Patiala

Protect the idols

During a visit to the famous Shri Chamunda Mata Mandir in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, I was shocked to see the temple’s idols kept outside without any protection. Shri Chamunda Mata Shrine Board should either shift these idols inside the temple or arrange to construct proper shelter to protect them from dust, rain and sun.

V.K. KAPUR, Panchkula