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

Pathribal outrage

The editorial “Pathribal Outrage” (January 28) gives the impression that the Army is heaping atrocities on the civil population. I endeavour to clear the haze around such insurgency-related operations conducted by the Army.

The operational plan is based on the Intelligence inputs given by the civil police as the soldiers have to operate in unknown areas and against unknown people. Even the bodies are identified by the police. Armymen are not trigger-happy, but they are humane. The Pathribal operation was jointly conducted by the police and the Army.

So is it not strange that the CBI in its enquiry has indicted only the Army officers and gave a clean chit to the civil police? Our countrymen undoubtedly have more faith in the defence forces than the civil 
organisations.

COL KULDIP S GREWAL (RETD), Patiala

Honesty prevails

Recently, the President reacted to the Sanjiv Chaturvedi case and rewarded him with exceptional remarks. This move is a relief for all honest officers. But I think that justice has been delivered partly.

The President must severely punish all officers who were involved in spoiling his ACR. Their services must be terminated and pensionary benefits dissolved. They do not deserve mercy. It will be a lesson for all who play with the careers of upright officers just to please their political bosses.

I wish the corrupt leaders are dealt with the same treatment.

Tejbeer Singh, via email

Banking on marks

The result of the common written examination was declared by the IBPS a few days ago. It is surprising that the IBPS has kept very low cut-off marks in the written test for an interview call. It is just 61 marks out of 200 for the general category and 26 marks for the ST candidates. The sectional cut-off marks of bank PO exams are worse. How will a person who has failed to get even 25 per cent marks in the written test do justice to the scale I post?

ANKIT PATHANIA, Palampur

Unfair to men

A few days back, a detailed advertisement by the NCW was published in various newspapers. Indian laws seem to favour the fairer sex. The laws not only provide them with social security but also help them gain an edge against men.

One of the laws pertains to punishment on the use of derogatory language at the workplace. I agree that it is required, but having worked in a corporate company, I have witnessed female trainers and managers bullying subordinates and hurling insults over trivial issues. In such cases, whom should a man approach? We have a women’s cell in almost every office, but there is no such redress forum for the men. If women are harassed sexually, men are abused verbally in conference rooms. In case the matter is reported, the boss generally says: “Avoid.”

A recent judgment of the court instructs husbands to detail their full salaries to wives. Yes, it should be done. But a statement must be added that wives have no right to object if the husband transfers some amount to his old or ailing parents. A daughter-in-law should be declared an equal offender if her in-laws are made to stay in old age homes.

Last year, a retired IPS officer from Haryana was in the news for being reportedly tortured by his son and daughter-in-law for years and we also saw a glimpse of the daughter-in-law allegedly slapping him in a verandah. Did any institution stand up for the rights of the old man?

Ever since the inception of Section 304B, offering and accepting dowry has been a crime. Then why is only one party bashed up? Advocates too seem to have put their ethics on sale. Instead of defending the truth, they defend their clients.

These days, sexual abuse is another tool that is misused. We see young women getting cosy with influential people for favours and later a complaint is registered in the name of sexual assault. Nobody tries to look at the other side. It has been reported that half the rape cases and sexual assaults are fake and manipulated.

Even if the accused are later aquitted by court, no one can restore the honour of that family.

Deepjot S Thukral, Ambala Cantt