II

Mr Dua’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha is well deserved. However, it is also a moment of reflection. While scientists, artists, sports persons, et al, find a place in the Rajya Sabha, few of the defence personnel are thus nominated, even though their contribution to defending the integrity of the country is tremendous.

Non-representation of defence services in Parliament has rendered them voiceless. It is in the fitness of things that some hero of the Kargil war or some other prominent ex-serviceman be nominated so that concerns of defence services find a voice in Parliament.

  Brig HARWANT SINGH (retd), SAS Nagar

III

The readers of The Tribune have every reason to rejoice over the nomination of Mr Dua as a member of the Rajya Sabha. The Tribune has a formidable reputation as one of the leading national dailies. Over the years it has been readers’ first choice in North India.

Dr JAI PRAKASH GUPTA, Ambala Cantt

Deplorable act

I agree with the views expressed in the editorial “Goonda Raj” (Nov 11). Indeed, the MNS must not get away with sacrilege. The attack on SP MLA Abu Azmi for taking oath in Hindi is an uncivilised act and must be condemned by one and all.

The MNS is acting in a deplorable manner and their actions pose a threat to national integrity. Such forces of linguistic fanaticism must be crushed with an iron hand. It is good that the four MNS legislators have been suspended for four years. However, more deterrent steps are needed to check such incidents from recurring in future.

Dr H S SINHA, Kurukshetra

II

The unsavoury drama enacted by the MNS MLAs in the Maharashtra Assembly, where Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi was manhandled, while taking oath in Hindi is deplorable. The incident has put the nation to shame.

The goondaism of Raj Thackeray’s men in the state Assembly is a corollary to the previous incident when people of other states were beaten. The present incident happened because the MNS men were emboldened by the previous one.

Political parties that spread hatred need to be derecognised. The suspended legislators deserve to be behind bars, not in a house of people’s representatives.

IQBAL SINGH, Bijhari, Hamirpur

III

The behaviour of Raj Thackeray’s men deserves strongest condemnation. Their claim that they represent Maharashtrians is ridiculous. They forget that the same Maharashtrians have kept them out of power.

If voters had not rejected them, they would not have created chaos in the state Assembly. Their misplaced belief in “might is right” is a threat to the unity and integrity of India. The sooner they are put behind bars the better it would be. Suspension is no punishment.

GURBACHAN SINGH, Patiala

IV

The new trends in the Indian democracy do not offer a promising future, especially if incidents in Maharashtra are any indication. The gravity of the situation demands that the evil must be nipped in the bud.

SHANTI SWAROOP SHARMA, Dharamshala

India’s Indira

Indira Gandhi was a magnetic personality who inspired millions of women. She was the leader of masses and was against terrorism, not any particular religion. She rightly said that even the last drop of her blood was for her country.

VIBHA MEHTA, Bathinda