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

Law alone is not enough, change mindsets

This refers to news item "Parliament clears anti-rape Bill" (March 22) and the editorial "Political compulsions" (March 21). The anti-rape Bill passed by the Lok Sabha has conspicuously widened its scope for punishing the perpetrators of crime against women. But, the Bill is silent on punishing women who try to misuse it. The demand for dilution of the law based on an apprehension of victimisation of the accused is neither wrong nor inapt. The provision of a deterrent punishment in the Bill leaves no room for apathy and neglect in the registration and investigation of cases against the offenders. When the law is deterrent, a better quality of investigation and prosecution are essentially required to take rape or allied cases to their logical conclusion in courts.

Even the capital punishment for murder has failed to check the incidents of the same. When many in our society are stooping to ridiculous depths, it becomes imperative to reach young minds to inculcate moral values in them. The enactment of fresh stringent laws will be meaningless unless the mindset of the young generation is not changed. It is not always the punishment which enforces compliance of law; rather it is the change of mindset. Law and moral values must run simultaneously.

SOSHIL RATTAN, Amritsar

Improving English

The editorial 'Our English: We are like this only' (March 4) rightly exhorts teachers of English to ensure that they must excel in every area of the language. Sad to say, the standard of English, particularly in government schools, has deteriorated considerably over the years.

Unless teachers are perfect in spoken and written English and grammar, students will go on having problems with their reading and writing. As most teachers do not have a reasonable command over the language, it will be foolish to seek ideal students.

RAM SAROOP, Andora (Una)

Politicians in India

Apropos the editorial 'The soft and the furious' (March 8), leaders of the ruling and opposition parties in the US and European countries are quite different from those in our country.

In these countries, politicians are, by and large, patriotic, caring, honest, gentle and cooperative. It is quite otherwise in the country. Our political leaders are known for their selfish motives and bad behaviour with no public spirit.

S SAMUEL, Chandigarh

Mass copying

The news of copying in the Class X board examinations at various centres in Batala district raises a question mark over the security arrangements and the integrity of invigilators. To some extent, the school authorities are also to be blamed who made students sit in groups.

Mass copying during the board exams has become a routine in rural as well as urban schools of Punjab. Also, the unfair practice cannot take place without the involvement of invigilators, politicians, centre in charge, etc.

Such cheating activities not only discourage those students who work hard but also jeopardise the future of the cheaters who tend to lose self-confidence. The government must hand out a severe punishment to the culprits if it really wants to check this illegal activity.

MOHINDER SINGH, Batala

II

Exams are a necessary evil. They are feared and hated by almost everyone. Even Jesus Christ once remarked : "Oh God! Don't put me to test." But we cannot do without exams. It is only through exams that brilliant students can distinguish themselves from ordinary ones. Some students are in the habit of using malpractices in exams. Some teachers are also involved in this. It is a slur on the fair name of our society and country.

SURJIT ARORA, Moga

Breaking protocol

Minister of State for Home RPN Singh paid tributes to the slain CRPF jawans (March 15) in New Delhi. It is very sad that the minister was wearing shoes. He should have taken off his shoes while paying tributes to the martyrs. Those present on the occasion must have asked the minister to take off his shoes.

SOHAN LAL GUPTA, Patiala