The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Letters to the Editor

NEWS AND VIEWS

PUNJAB

HARYANA

JAMMU & KASHMIR

HIMACHAL

REGIONAL BRIEFS

NATION

OPINIONS

LETTERS

BUSINESS

SPORTS

WORLD

SPECIAL COVERAGE

CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Manu’s parole violated rules

The editorial “Abuse of parole: Manu’s case a violation of rules” (Nov 12) has rightly taken to task the Delhi Government for allowing Manu Sharma to go on parole on false and unverified grounds. What Delhi Chief Minister said in defence is untenable.

If her government is so even-handed and prompt in deciding such cases, why have applications of other convicts for parole been pending for a long time? The Delhi Government has indeed indulged Manu Sharma, whether of its own accord or under political influence. It just cannot be condoned by officalese and sophistry.

In India, the high and mighty, rule the roost. There are different sets of rules for the well connected and for the common man. The government’s indifferent and discriminatory attitude towards the common man shakes his faith in the democratic system. Our politicians and the official machinery need to be impartial.

TARSEM SINGH, New Delhi

The abuse of parole by Manu Sharma shows how powerful political connections can help in circumventing the law. It also exposes how people in power can mould the law as per their convenience.

However, making laws more stringent for the grant of parole will serve little purpose. The solution lies in the implementation of rules. The ground on which parole was granted in this case was ludicrous. Thousands of convicts who genuinely require parole are not considered for years. The media has once again acted like a watchdog and deserves praise.

AJAY K JINDAL, Ludhiana

Nod for Bt brinjal

Dr S S Chahal has rightly advocated the adoption of Bt brinjal in his article “Green signal to Bt brinjal” (Nov 11). Cultivation of Bt cotton has resulted in substantial decrease in use of insecticides in the cotton belt of Punjab, due to ability of Bt cotton to resist bollworms, especially American bollworm.

It is well-known that farmers use huge amounts of insecticides to control brinjal fruit and shoot borer, resulting in undesirable residues in fruits and contamination of soil. Due to poor application technology, major amount of insecticides sprayed on the crop does not reach the target pest.

However, the interest of farmers must be kept in mind and the government must ensure the availability of genuine seeds at a reasonable cost, not only of Bt brinjal but also of other GM crops as and when these are released for cultivation. We should also welcome Bt corn and other biotech crops.

Dr BALBIR SINGH JOIA, Ludhiana

MNS’s goondaism

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) legislators attack on Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for taking oath of office in Hindi, the national language, needs to be condemned by one and all. Raj Thackeray and his men have breached all constitutional norms.

Democracy functions through democratic ways that is persuasion, debate and consensus and not by force or violence. Exemplary punishment should be given to such legislators.

Dr H KUMAR KAUL, Barnala

Judges’ assets

The article, “Judges’ assets: Intellectual attainments or material possessions?” (Nov 10), by J L Gupta was astonishing. It is true that judges are endowed with one of the most sensible and responsible task of ensuring justice for all. It is supposed that when all doors of hope are closed it is the judiciary that shows the way.

A person who is honest and true need not fear. Nor does he need convoluted logic to justify reasons for escaping public accountability.

ANUP K GAKKHAR, Haridwar

Cut down entrance tests
To Nonika Singh’s article “Are coaching centres necessary evil” (Nov 3), I would like to add that the issue requires a comprehensive study. The situation demands a review to see how an effort to tackle one problem has led to others.

Entrance tests were started for admission to professional courses in medical and engineering colleges to address problems of rampant copying, lack of uniformity in the qualifying Class XII syllabi of school boards and varying evaluation standards. Unfortunately, entrance tests have increased over last few years and there has been an alarming increase in the number of entrance tests a student has to take.
The irony is that the concept of common entrance tests which was initially welcomed by all in the hope that deserving students will not suffer has now become a commercial exercise. We have all watched helplessly as these entrance examinations have degenerated.
However, it is satisfying that of late steps are being taken by administrators and educational institutions to control the multiplicity of entrance tests. Scrapping of entrance examinations altogether may sound wishful thinking, as these are here to stay whether we like it or not. Cutting down the number of such tests for all professions is the need of the hour and this aspect needs urgent attention.
Dr I M JOSHI, Chandigarh