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Parliament logjam was undemocratic

It is a matter of utter shame that the winter session of Parliament ended without working normally for even a single day (editorial, “A wasted session: Parliament logjam a threat to democracy”, Dec 14). The editorial rightly decries the rigid attitude of both the UPA government and the Opposition over the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the multi-crore 2G spectrum scam which led to Parliament not being allowed to function for the full session.

The behaviour of our elected representatives was certainly far below the standards of decency. Instead of performing the role of “leading lights”, they indulged in ugly politics that has only brought disgrace to this great nation. Is this the way the parliamentarians of the “world’s largest democracy” behave? Their act of stalling the functioning of Parliament is surely to be condemned by one and all. They have wasted public money. MPs must be made accountable for this avoidable and unjustified loss to the public exchequer.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

II

It is really a shame that our parliamentarians, especially the Leader of the Opposition and the Opposition parties, have acted in the most irresponsible manner. Scams, cases of corruption involving ministers, bureaucrats and companies are not new to our political system. No political party worth its salt can say that it is above all this.

The Opposition’s demand to constitute a JPC for 2G spectrum allocation is uncalled for. The members of the JPC are parliamentarians with vested interests and pre-conceived narrow political thinking and affiliations and not competent to act as an independent and impartial body to prove such scams.

An open debate in the House could have been initiated or the Opposition could have brought up a no-confidence motion to justify their stand. But wasting 21 days of the winter session is criminal. The unjustified demand for the JPC does not have the people’s mandate.

Capt AMAR JEET KUMAR, SAS Nagar

III

The editorial was timely and apt. There seems to be no plausible explanation for the Opposition’s persistent demand, in asking for a JPC, when the issues can be debated on the floor of the House. Parliament is the proper forum for discussing issues.

No political party is free from the taint of corruption and no political outfit in the country can claim moral superiority over others. As for corruption that has engulfed the nation and our polity in vice-like grip, it is about time we realised that this malady had assumed gigantic proportions and took corrective measures.

Dr M K BAJAJ, Zirakpur

Restore heritage sites The news report (Dec 9) about architects discovering Majitha Fort in Amritsar is heartening for heritage lovers. However, at the same time it reflects the insensitivity of the people and the apathetic attitude of the government towards preserving our priceless pieces of history. This is precisely the reason why we see historic monuments across the country, particularly in Punjab, in a neglected state. Now that the fort has been discovered, it is the responsibility of the government to come forward and launch its restoration work, as it may well turn out to be a huge attraction for tourists. In fact, the government should also start a survey, based on historical references, to locate all such forts and palaces which may have slipped into oblivion with the passage of time. In the present case, the government should ask the ASI to carry out a survey of the site without wasting any more time, as it may unearth a treasure trove of articles of great heritage value. RAVINDERSINGH, Ludhiana

Ace shuttler

Heartiest congratulations to Saina Nehwal who clinched her career’s fourth Super Series title with a thumping victory in the Hong Kong Open by beating China’s Shixian Wang 15-21 21-16 21-17. She has become the only Indian female shuttler to break the Chinese stranglehold on badminton and has also made up for the Asiad disappointment.

She has made the country proud by excelling in a sport dominated by Chinese, Indonesian and Thai girls. Earlier too she had brought laurels by winning back-to-back titles – Indian Open Grand Prix, Singapore Open Super Series —and defended the Indonesian Super Series before clinching the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in October. It is fantastic to have a badminton champion in Saina Nehwal. One hopes she will bring more laurels to the country in the future also.

SUMAN KUKAL, Chandigarh

Judiciary’s image

The editorial “Corruption in judiciary: Need to set the house in order” (Dec 13) has aptly voiced concern over the rampant corruption in the judiciary. The Supreme Court’s observation over corruption in the Allahabad High Court judges is a poor reflection on the judiciary.

Just imagine what would be the state of affairs in lower courts? Is it not appalling to note that at times verdicts of the court can be bought with money? Certainly the judiciary must do some serious introspection. Appropriate measures must be taken to repair the damage caused to its reputation.

Capt S K DATTA, Abohar

Jawan to officer

The journey from a “jawan” to an “officer” is not easy (news report, “From jawan to Gentleman Cadet and back”, Dec 13). Only the most deserving can achieve it. I too joined as an airman, worked hard to obtain an engineering degree through correspondence and made it to the officer rank. This is not to blow my own trumpet, but to underline that it requires sincere hard work and grit to rise from the ranks to become an officer.

I sincerely feel that the IMA authorities have been too harsh in throwing out the promising cadet on the charge of a theft. A lesser punishment that didn’t harm his career would have met the ends of justice. The higher authorities should reconsider the case of Alok Kumar, the affected jawan.

Wg-Cdr C. L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar