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

Praise the police for foiling terror bid

The Tribune report, “Terror strike averted as car with RDX seized in Ambala” (October 14), comes as a breath of fresh air.

One shudders to think of the consequences had the terrorists’ plan/plot materialised. Our full-throated three cheers to the police team which foiled the heinous attempt by the terrorists.

Whereas we are quick in condemning the custodian of law and order whenever the terrorists run away after killing innocent people, we are rather niggardly in appreciating their daring feats. Why not unreservedly shower kudos on the police team on occasions of the type in question, thus boosting their morale—undoubtedly a vital ingredient in any encounter with hardened criminals.

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

Growing intolerance

The attack on Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan must be condemned (editorial, “Attack on Bhushan”, October 15).  Many attempts have been made in the past to restrict freedom of speech. Such attacks are not just confined to activists.  Even journalists like Arun Shourie have faced violent protests.  More recently, even the IBN-Lokmat office in Mumbai was attacked by Shiv Sainiks. 

Unfortunately, the words of Dr Rajendra Prasad that “successful working of democratic institutions requires willingness to respect the viewpoints of others, capacity for compromise and accommodation” are being ignored. The Home Minister has rightly called for strict action against those who belong to a radical organization called Sri Ram Sene.

In fact, our society seems to be short of people who adhere to nonviolence and respect viewpoints other than their own.

HARISH K MONGA, Ferozepur

Unwise stand

Sometimes the followers can do more damage to a movement than the opponents. Anna shook the Centre and put state governments on notice on the issue of fight against corruption. The movement was well on its way to success but two prominent members of Team Anna put the campaign on the back foot. First, Team Anna’s most vocal member Arvind Kejriwal gave it a political twist by declaring a war on the Congress in the context of Hisar bypoll and then in a thoughtless announcement put Anna above Parliament.

Another prominent member of Team Anna, Prashant Bhushan, issued a statement in favour of plebiscite in Kashmir. He had no business to damage the movement by taking a stand on an issue he was not till then identified with. Anna has wisely disowned the two statements, but the damage has already been done.

Momentum in a crusade is important. By their unwise utterances, the two Team Anna members have hurt the crusade against corruption. No wonder Anna has observed “maun vrat” and seems to be telling his followers, “Where silence is golden it is foolish to be talking.”

RJ KHURANA, Bhopal

Right to recall

This refers to the news item, “Right to recall risky, says poll panel chief’ (October 17). Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi’s warning that the right to recall and the right to reject would destabilise the country is totally illogical and irrelevant. Corruption and bad governance have thrived in this country because voters have no control over their representatives once they elect them. The representatives find it easy to change their loyalties. They often betray the trust of their voters and indulge in unlawful activities because they don’t have any fear of recall or rejection. They complete their term even if they do not perform.

Public representatives, enjoying such immunities, can destabilise the country more than the right to recall such unethical representatives. There is no justification for a corrupt public representative to continue just for an imaginary self-created fear that this would weaken the country.

Capt AMAR JEET KUMAR, SAS Nagar

Selfless leaders

When India is reeling under poverty with 38 crore of its people living below poverty line with an average income of Rs 20 per day and many living in slums not having two square meals a day, it is preposterous for the UP Chief Minister to spend Rs 6.8 billion for building a Dalit memorial just to woo the Dalits to vote for her in the ensuing election. The real service would be to improve their standard of living by providing better schooling, better and affordable medical aid, and better housing.

When Mahatma Gandhi, who was relentlessly working for the welfare of the Dalits, was once asked why he always travelled in the lowest third class railway compartment, he said that he did so because there was no fourth class in the railways. India needs such selfless leaders.

SURAJ R KAPOOR, Solan

Parental choice in education It was very inspiring to go through Dr. Kanu Priya’s article, “Parents need to be proactive”, (October 14). It is true that parents today try their best to fulfil their dreams through their children. In other words, what was not possible for them to achieve, they throw the same challenge like a bomb on the path of their child’s life. The child may have other interests and talent, but parents force him or her to choose a career which is more popular, such as engineering or medicine. When will our society think beyond these career options? The world does not just end here.  After all, what matters is one’s interest and aptitude. When we are allowed to choose subjects of our own choice, it gives us the freedom to perform well in life.  When I finished my schooling, I was pressurized by one all to study science subjects. But I loved meeting people and travelling. So, I chose hospitality and tourism as my career. I went to Switzerland for my education and now I am working at Hilton Worldwide. I meet people from different parts of the world, which makes me happy. In short, we have to change our attitude. Parents should never force their children to choose a certain career. Children should also overcome any such pressure on them. RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Khasa, Amritsar

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