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Bluestar helped

The aim of Operation Bluestar was to free the Golden Temple of Bhindranwale and his terrorists who had forcibly occupied it and were using it as a hiding place. Sikhs at that time were silent spectators to the goings-on. Today, devotees can visit Golden Temple without fear, unlike before Bluestar. The number of visitors has gone up manifold as compared to the terrorism days. Why don’t people have the courage to accept that Bluestar (with or without British help) helped the Sikhs?

Rupinder Bhargava, via email

Grow up, AAP

The agitational approach adopted by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to force the Centre to take action against some policemen, without waiting for the enquiry report, has brought no fame to the high post he holds now. He is no more leading an NGO. "Confrontations, agitations and brinkmanship are not the way. . ." is the sane advice given in the editorial “Welcome climbdown” (January 23).

There are two more points. One, Kejriwal along with his ministers not only violated the law but also instigated his supporters to defy it. Such agitations can lead to a civil war. In the Army, instigating men amounts to mutiny and carries the death penalty. Two, he spoke about the Republic Day in a derogatory manner. This, I think, is a punishable offence. If the Centre had not relented, the sanctity of the day would have been compromised.

The trouble with Kejriwal is that he mistakenly believes that “what I say is right and not what others say.” AAP, it seems, will take time to grow up, if at all it does.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), Jalandhar

Don’t misuse rape law

With reference to recent reports of allegations of rape against singer Nachatar Gill or a senior Rajasthan cadre IAS officer, when a woman says that a man had raped her over some months on the pretext of giving a modelling role, a job or some other favour, then how is the woman also not a culprit? How is it different from prostitution since she is also trading herself for some favour?

It doesn’t mean that it is right for men to take advantage of women on the pretext of offering favours. It is totally unacceptable. But such complaints should be made by the woman when the man tries to seduce her initially, rather than when she didn’t get what she wanted in return. Then it is a case of Section 420, not of rape, as in such cases, sex is consensual.

Since strict anti-rape laws are a powerful tool for the women who are really victims of rape, these should not be allowed to be misused.

Hemantbir S Dhillon, Tarn Taran

Crime against women

Crime against women is a matter of concern. It is a reflection of the degradation of moral and ethical values. It is also an indication of the sham and hypocrisy of respectability in society. The need of the hour is to adopt a zero-tolerance policy in such heinous crimes. One shudders to read reports of rape, kidnapping, murder, eveteasing, molestation and violence against women almost on a daily basis. To stem the violence against women at workplaces, the Vishaka guidelines must be implemented in letter and spirit and complaints of violence lodged by the victims sternly dealt with.

RAVI SHARMA, Jammu

Awakening about girls

Apropos the middle “The day we will yearn for daughters” (January 20), nature has created both males and females as essential constituents. However, most people expect only a son from a wedding. It’s all about awakening society regarding the indispensability of daughters for the development and continual existence of the human race. In a culturally enriched society, where the inadvertent killing of even a small insect under the feet while walking is considered a sin, I wonder about the brutalised mentality of those who indulge in disgraceful and cruel misdeeds of female foeticide or infanticide. As the arrival of a new bride is celebrated by a welcome reception, wherein guests and relatives rejoice with mouth-watering dishes, singing and dancing, let the arrival of a newborn daughter be celebrated in a similar way.

KK Sood, Nangal