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Justice for transgenders

Apropos the news item “SC rejects PIL for inheritance rights for transgender kids” (July 1), transgenders are children born with a physical deformity of sex organs. They are like any other children born with other physical deformities. The transgenders are better equipped to get education and acquire skills, earn their living and lead dignified lives than other handicapped children. They lead normal lives in all countries, except India. The transgenders in India are an offshoot of a wrong social tradition sanctioned by the Hindu religion, whereby such children are abandoned by families at birth to be taken care of by transgender groups which make them illiterate beggars and criminals. This tradition is against the concept of natural justice, rule of law and social justice and is harmful to society.

The Supreme Court has done a praiseworthy job by recognising transgenders as the third gender and directing the government to treat hijras and eunuchs as socially backward people and offer them jobs and education on quota. The rejection of the PIL to give directive to the government to prevent parents from abandoning the third gender children and maintain a record of such children is a retrograde step. The SC must review the order.

Manga Ram, Faridabad

Selection of judges

This is in reference to the news regarding the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium to appoint four persons as SC judges. Normally, the recommendation is sent to the President through the Prime Minister. While the executive has a right to express its opinion on the recommendation, the opinion should be fair and just without any extraneous considerations. However, the executive has failed to follow the traditions in the case of Subramaniam. In a similar departure from tradition, Indira Gandhi bypassed senior judges in the matter of appointment of the Chief Justice of India. It was criticised by the people and the Bar. The present case is fit for the President to suggest a reconsideration.

Balwant S Sidhu, Jalandhar City

Accession issue

The article “Accession of J&K, a constitutional view” by Adarsh Sein Anand (July 2) gives a holistic view of the legal and constitutional aspects of the accession of J&K to India. But it would have been prudent to present the full facts. Along with J&K, the accession of Junagarh to India should also have been discussed. J&K was a Muslim majority state and the ruler was a Hindu whereas Junagarh was Hindu majority state and the ruler was a Muslim. Both the areas are now integral parts of India.

Dr Tirath Garg, Ferozepur City

Dentists’ plight

I am pained to see the miserable state of dentists in India. There are practically no jobs for them anywhere. Most hospitals advertise 40 to 50 jobs for an MBBS doctor, but none for a BDS graduate. The skewed number of MDS government seats of just around 200 all over India as compared to 4,000 to 5,000 for MBBS candidates is another constraint. However, the curriculum involves studying the subjects of both the courses while pursuing BDS, along with rigorous clinicals.

So, the dentists are left with no option but to start private practice which requires for a whooping initial investment. This has added to the brain drain as dentists are looking for better options abroad. The authorities concerned must look into the matter and either generate sufficient employment or modify the degree so that the dentists don’t sit helpless after putting in so much of heart and soul in their studies.

Dr AKASH SEHGAL, Pathankot

Drug mence serious

The drug menace has acquired alarming proportions and the state government appears to be taking actions which are just perfunctory in nature. The chain consists of financiers, smugglers, distributors, peddlers, consumers. The main actors seem to enjoy political patronage as none of them is apprehended. Only peddlers and addicts are arrested, that too without concrete evidence. Under these circumstances, no tangible results can be achieved. The indifferent approach to the problem by law enforcers is merely a waste of time, resources and energy. The government must come down heavily on the culprits by striking the problem from where it emanates. Superficial actions do not help eradicate the evil.

SC VAID, Greater Noida

Bribery rampant

When one goes to a government office for some work, one is told to arrange a certain amount of money for the work to be done. Or, a phone call or permission from the halqa in charge such as the leader or worker of ruling party does the trick. There is no goverment of the people, by the people, of the people. Today, the government is in a few hands.

Rohit Bhatia, via email

Bangladesh ties

The editorial “Building ties” (June 30) rightly mentions that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has shown a good gesture by making her first overseas visit after taking charge to Bangladesh. It seems to provide an opportunity for the two nations to work on their relationship. It can be expected that the meeting between Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina would help sort the issues related to illegal migrants from Bangladesh and international border and other territory issues.

Harpreet Sandhu, Ludhiana

Denied PO facility

The news “Jammu Tawi post office set for new home” (July 1) reports how postal operations are being downgraded in Jammu.

A post office which was functioning at Shakti Nagar in the west of the city was shifted to Bakshi Nagar some time back, ignoring the fact that it will be inconvenient to people, espically senior citizens, to tread a long distance to avail themselves of the postal facility. Strangely, Bakshi Nagar already has a post office. The authorities should shift the PO back to Shakti Nagar or the nearby locality of Rajpura in public interest.

Dr SN KAK, via email

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