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

Anna’s drive should remain apolitical

This refers to the article, “Anna’s drive gets politicised” (November 14). The writer has very rightly raised the issue of the credibility of Team Anna’s anti-corruption movement. There was never any real need to politicise the movement which already has the backing of the masses. No political party can afford to ignore what the people of India want. All that Team Anna needed was to continue the good work they had done earlier. The fight against corruption cannot be won if an atmosphere of utter confusion is created. Such an atmosphere would, most likely benefit the political parties and not the people of India.

I agree with the writer that “there are signs that the Anna movement is being metamorphosed into a fledgling political party”. This is highly undesirable considering the fact that the masses have supported this movement mainly because of its apolitical nature. Moreover, if the core committee of Team Anna does not represent all “identifiable groups and communities”, how can Team Anna claim that its version of the Lokpal Bill has the support of the majority? That’s why Parliament alone is the right place to deliberate on the Lokpal issue and subsequently pass the Bill acceptable to the majority of our representatives.

However, if Team Anna manages to give a representative shape to its core committee and its version of the Bill is acceptable to the majority of the members, or ideally all of them, the voice of the team would then be stronger.  

ROHIT MALHOTRA, Faridabad

KK PURI, Advocate, Gurdaspur

II

I fully agree with the editorial that Sangrur District and Sessions Judge MS Chauhan’s order of capital punishment against a father who killed his four-day-old daughter “is rough but apt” (the editorial, “Gallows for infanticide”, November 12). Incidents like the killing of a child are itself very shocking. What is difficult to believe is a father killing his own child. Some people in our society do not seem to accept the fact that a girl is as capable as a boy.

They seem to have a fixed idea that sons are better than daughters. There is not much the government can do to change the mindset of these people. It seems there is a real need to educate these people. Time seems to have frozen for them, as they cannot get rid of outdated beliefs.

Capital punishment is one way to make these ‘criminals’ understand that the country will not tolerate such crimes. However, this may not stop the menace. Education is the only way to dispel the darkness of ignorance.

AJAY SHARMA, Ludhiana

Punjab elections

It is difficult to understand why political parties cannot fight elections on the basis of genuine issues which are to do with the common people (the editorial, “Politics in Punjab”, November 16). Personal and wild allegations have indeed been the order of the day.

This is unfortunate. The real issues remain hidden as political parties seek to divert people’s attention. But the political parties in Punjab should understand the fact that things are beginning to change as the people of the state are no longer ignorant.

They won’t be tempted to vote against or in favour of any candidate just on the basis of allegations. I also agree with the editorial that the Election Commission should try to “curb the electoral discourse from sliding into the gutter”.

SURINDER SHARMA, Ludhiana

Women empowerment

This refers to Mallika Kaur’s article “Our Worst-Kept Secret” (November 2), which highlights violence against women and suggests remedies too. The solution sought in the “culture shift” should be welcomed.

The need of the hour is to sensitise men in our patriarchal society and make them realise that women are entitled to human rights that allow them to live with dignity and self-respect. To eradicate the problem of domestic violence the root cause must be dealt with, as the surface reality is just the tip of the iceberg.

Dr GITANJALI BHATIA, Shimla

Develop writing skill in English The middle, “Classic leave applications” (November 8), was profoundly amusing and contemplative. It elicited how English could be a double-edged sword. If used incorrectly, it could land someone in the soup. Clarity of expression and meaning is the most indispensable characteristic of a good application. While writing it, it should be kept in mind that the recipient should neither misconstrue the meaning nor distort it to suit his own ends. Hence, utmost care should be taken to so arrange words and expressions as to best give meaning to the applicant’s intention. The application should be to the point and no longer than is necessary. Writing is a skill. Its main function is communication of thoughts from one person to another. So it requires right arrangement of words into larger units like phrases, sentences, clauses, adverbs, extension of predicate, complement, qualifying words, sequence of tenses, punctuation, etc., which are vital to make the meaning clear. Most students fail to gain proficiency in writing because they are not able to decipher the nuances of English. The teaching of English in schools as well as college should equip the students with essential language skills, with special emphasis on writing, and grant them confidence to use those skills effectively in real life situations. Besides, prominence should be given to skill testing. TARSEM S BUMRAH, Batala