Strengthen Sikhs

The Akal Takht Jathedar’s message to Sikh couples to adopt the four-child policy needs to be debated. The editorial “Faith in numbers” (March 20) has rightly recommended other options to strengthen the Sikh community. The late Khushwant Singh has described the Sikhs as the first people to face the invaders.

Though comprising a tiny minority in the country, they made a major contribution in the freedom movement. The need is to rein the withering Sikh character and bring back into the fold people who have discarded the Sikh way of life as laid down in our scriptures by doing away with the Sikh identity.

AS Anand, Ludhiana

Overpopulation fatal

The Akal Takht Jathedar’s suggestion of four children per Sikh couple is not in the interest of the Sikhs because overpopulation brings degeneration and may be fatal. It is well known that an increase in the population of some species have led to their extinction. Dinosaur is one such example.

SUKHJINDER SINGH RATIA, via email

Joke on armymen

This refers to the Oped article “The security imperatives for the next PM”. Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi has given a reminder to the nation regarding the state of the armed forces, lack of security strategies and trust deficit in military-civil relations. Earlier, General VK Singh, former Army Chief, had brought these points to the notice of the government, without much success. Such a sorry state of national security will demoralise the soldiers. Future wars and conflicts will appear without much notice. Men will be killed without achieving any security or strategic objective. The 1962 war is an example. It has been rightly said that the Department of Ex-servicemen is a joke. Instead of assisting them, it takes them to courts to harass them.

OROP (one rank, one pension) is a recent joke on the veterans. It has been granted after a struggle of more than 30 years, return of hard-earned medals and blood signature campaigns. Many veterans have died waiting for it to happen. Who is responsible for this painful injustice?

“Kee mere qatl ke baad usne jafa se tauba,

Haay us zood-e-pashemaan ka pashemaan hona”— Ghalib.

Col. Mangat Shanker (Rampal), (Retd), Sanawar (Kasauli)

Abolish death sentence

With reference to “SC commutes Bhullar’s death penalty to life term” (April 1), giving birth and taking life are in the power of God and this principle is accepted by all religions. The people who kill are sinners and their own religions also do not condone such acts. The State gives the death sentence in cases of serious crimes in order to maintain law and order. But true justice is not possible as people have differing opinions on one issue. The United Nations Organisation has suggested that the death sentence be abolished. It is known that witnesses, lawyers, judges and executioners suffer and do not have sound sleep for nights. The executed person’s family too suffers. Such punishment has not reduced the number of murders.

Dalip Singh Wasan, Patiala

Politicians must retire

The country needs young leaders who personify enthusiasm, morality and diligence. The old should guide them with their invaluable experience. There should be a retirement age of around 65 and some minimum educational qualification for politicians. People with criminal background should not be allowed to contest elections.

chirag taneja, Jhajjar

Calendar controversy

This has reference to the news of March 13 about BJP’s objection to the 2014 calendar of the Himachal Pradesh government during the time of Lok Sabha elections because it has a picture of the Chief Minister distributing rations. A similar  objection had been raised in November 2012 during the Vidhan Sabha elections because of PK Dhumal’s picture.

I have, for years, been suggesting to the state authorities to publish the calendar without any picture, like the Army’s calendar.

In November 2012, I had moved a petition before the Himachal Pradesh High Court for the publication of the HP government calendar without any picture. The high court had forwarded it to the HP government for favourable consideration. But to no avail.

As a result, the calendar for 2013 was drafted belatedly in January, only after Virbhadra Singh had become the Chief Minister.