Mirchpur killings

This refers to a very perceptive and sensible editorial, “The Mirchpur shame: Will convictions deter anti-Dalit violence?”(November 3). The judgment of a Delhi Additional Sessions judge on the Mirchpur killing and arson is certainly going to weaken the hold of caste-oriented beliefs on the minds of common people. The learned judge has awarded life term to three accused, five have been sentenced to 5 years and 7 have been let off on one-year probation. With this significant development, the killers of the 70-year-old Dalit Tara Chand and his physically-challenged daughter seem to have been identified and given an exemplary punishment also.

The Delhi court has done a judicious and commendable job by convicting only15 out of the total 98 accused in the Mirchpur incident because it is a common practice in rural areas to implicate innocent people also out of caste hostility or rivalry. Those who were actively involved in the barbaric arson and killing at Mirchpur must be punished, but the innocent people must not be framed simply because they happen to belong to Jat families.

Both sides now must respect the law of the land and sincerely abide by the court orders. In fact, we must try to change the feudal “societal values and attitudes”, though the ruling elites in the state do not seem to be very keen on such a meaningful positive social exercise because of their immediate electoral and political considerations.

Dr RAJ BAHADUR, Fatehabad

Sino-Pak designs

This refers to the editorial, “China must keep off PoK” (October 8). After its accession in 1948, the J&K state is an integral part of India. During the Kashmir operations, India made a Himalayan blunder by leaving the liberation of Pakistan-occupied territory of Kashmir unfinished in 1948. Further, non-abrogation of Article 370 of our Constitution, which grants a special status to J&K, is another political flop.

Of late, Pakistan has virtually mortgaged PoK by allowing Chinese troops with sinister designs. China has openly sided with Pakistan by declaring Kashmir as a disputed territory.

In the east, China has laid its claim to Arunachal Pradesh. Both Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are the flashpoints for the Dragon strike, which is imminent. The time has come to liberate PoK through aggressive diplomacy, hot pursuit and surgical military strikes in the interest of national security and thwart the Sino-Pak military designs.

Wg-Cdr Gurmail Singh (retd), Chandigarh

Domestic violence

This refers to the article, “Our Worst-Kept Secret” (November 2) by Mallika Kaur. This article has helped me to break years of silence, as I have also been a victim of domestic violence for years. Men who perpetuate violence are usually soft-spoken, stylish and street-smart and leave a very good impression on everyone else. In fact, they manage to convince other people that they are the aggrieved party.

The writer rightly says that the solution lies in a culture shift in the world and in our homes. After my own awakening, I want to tell other aggrieved parties that they are not alone. I would feel blessed if others, like me, could muster the courage to admit it and have the option to live a fulfilling and happy life, instead of being victimised for life.