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

Concerted efforts needed to save tigers

Some words of praise from the PloS biology journal, a reputed and respected scientific periodical, for the Indian initiative to save the tiger have come as a pat on the back (editorial, “Saving the tiger”, Sept 20). But there is no need to go ga ga over it. Rather, more vigorous efforts should be made to protect the majestic species from becoming extinct. Its dwindling numbers in India ought to be taken seriously.

The responsibility of saving the tiger fairly and squarely lies with the government, especially with the forest department, which sometimes is said to have followed the policy of “Running with the hare and hunting with the hounds”. Stringent laws against poachers must be enforced. Project Tiger should be pursued vigorously. The wildlife protection laws must be enforced in letter and spirit.

Man should learn a lesson and should not destroy nature. The preservation of tiger is in man’s own interest. Tigers play a crucial role in the ecosystem. If the primitive man could live in harmony with nature, why can’t the modern man, who is civilised, educated and enlightened?

Indeed, the cost of saving tigers is nothing as compared to the cost that mankind will have to pay if we lose this species.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala

KAMNA SINGH, Chandigarh

Rahul-speak

The Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the RSS is fanatic and fundamentalist. The RSS is a nationalist organisation, dedicated to the nation and is working for social reforms.

An organisation having an ideology to serve the masses, social reforms and above all having a vision of strong developed India cannot be talked of in such a derisive manner. Why has Mr Gandhi made such a controversial statement equating the RSS with SIMI?

RAJAT KUMAR MOHINDRU, Jalandhar

Games mess

The editorial “Let’s celebrate the Games” (Oct 4) was apt. Right now we are happy counting our medals and basking in the glory of the praise being heaped on creating a world-class infrastructure.

While it may be right to say “all’s well that ends well” but what about the painful moments when millions of Indians feared disgrace for the nation. The basic problem arises because of the “chalta hai” attitude. Otherwise, there is no dearth of resources, talent, know how and manpower. Why should anybody raise a finger at us when we can be a power to reckon with? Let’s learns our lessons from this extravaganza of Commonwealth Games.

POONAM BINDRA, Ludhiana

Women and criminality To the articles “Female criminality and male perception” by Sarvesh Kaushal and “Crime and women” by Chitleen K Sethi (Oct 7), I would like to add that women are not expected to be criminals and if they are, they may be described as mad and bad, because of economic compulsions. It has been rightly proposed that many factors are attributed to feminine criminality but only proper research can lead to a gender-sensitive approach in legislation, adjudication and reform. Why is there a need for a feminine criminology? What have been some of the problems? Could women’s emancipation account for the apparent increase in crime rate among women? These are some of the questions that need to be thoroughly studied to know the role of women in criminality. It is felt that women are forced to commit offences as a result of impoverished and oppressed conditions due to unemployment, lack of educational opportunities, domestic violence and divorce or separation. But most crimes committed by women seem to be comparatively less heinous. Crimes they commit are either less reported or less detected by the police because both the police and courts are more lenient to women than men. No doubt, crimes against women have also increased dramatically but on the other hand the involvement of women in crimes should not be taken lightly and some action plan must be chalked out to engage them in productive projects. HARISH K MONGA, Ferozepur