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

Judiciary exposed

In the article “Living with the nightmare” (November 8), Justice Sachar has truthfully provided a peep into the judicial system. Many citizens with secular credentials had been wondering as to why the courts had not taken suo motu cognisance of the unfortunate anti-Sikh riots of November, 1984. It appears that the judiciary was under pressure from majoritarianism as well as Congress populism.

Gurvir Singh Nabha, Patiala

Truth of courts

Rajindar Sachar, a former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, has spoken the truth about the higher judiciary being influenced by political bosses and for political considerations in his article “Living with the nightmare”. Time and again, it has been proved that the higher judiciary is influenced for petty selfish considerations. But, unfortunately, no remedial measures have been adopted to stop the unhealthy practice or check it. Future generations are bound to suffer for this lapse.

Baldev Singh, Kapurthala

Alarming disclosure

The disclosure of former Chief Justice Rajindar Sachar in the article “Living with the nightmare” that undue pressure was put on the then Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court while dealing with the situation that emerged out of the killing of Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, is alarming. That a person holding a constitutional post can be influenced by ruling politicians is dangerous for the independence of judiciary. It is rather surprising that the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi did not give an interview to committee members Justice SM Shikeri, a former Chief Justice of India, and Mr Govind Narayan, former Union Home Secretary, constituted to oversee the situation emerging after Indira Gandhi’s assassination.

This unpardonable crime by the political party will remain a permanent scar of shame on those who committed and encouraged it.

BR Kaundal, Mandi

Help terror-hit

It is a matter of pleasure that the government has announced an additional compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of persons killed in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. But the government should also consider the families of persons killed in Punjab during the terrorism period of the 80s and 90s. They are still awaiting financial help.

Ashok Kumar Mahajan, Sangrur

Denied justice

In a move to appease the 1984 riot-hit Sikh community just before elections in Delhi, the government has decided to pay them a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each. But even after 30 years of this grave tragedy, there is no justice in sight.

The Sikhs will never trade justice with monetary compensation. Barring paying lip service, the successive governments have done nothing to mitigate the suffering of those who lost everything in the riots. It would have been prudent if the government had decided to celebrate November 1 as ‘national justice day’as it celebrated October 31 as ‘national unity day’.

Sharat Ralhan, Ghaggar (Palampur)

Don’t open wounds

After the assassination of Indira Gandhi what happened on the night of November 1, 1984, should be treated with sensitivity and no political party should blackmail another on the issue. The editorial “Terror and peace” (November 11) rightly says that “the wounds are not open but the scars are shallow.” No one should try to again open the wounds and exploit the victims for their political gains. Our efforts should be towards dealing with terrorism against humanity and not a particular section.

Neelam, Chandigarh

Rehabilitate riot-hit

Three days of massacre of thousands of innocent members of the patriotic Sikh community, followed by 30 years of injustice, interspersed with an eyewash compensation of Rs 3.5 lakh to the next of kin of each victim, makes a mockery of our criminal-judicial system and secular governance. Instead of rubbing salt in the wounds of the surviving sufferers, by first announcing and then quickly withdrawing the enhanced compensation of Rs 5 lakh, emphasis should be on effective rehabilitation of the suffering families with higher compensation, jobs and accommodation.

All the guilty — the perpetrators of the genocide, their instigators, those in government who did not do their duty to provide immediate protection — should be identified through a fresh SIT investigation and punished. But it is like hoping against hope after 30 years of denial of justice when both the UPA and NDA (Akalis included) have been in power at the Centre.

Tejinder Singh Kalra, Mohali

Noise pollution

I am a resident of Nakodar and aspiring to be a civil servant. Whenever I try to study, loudspeakers playing in the local religious places or parties disturb me. Some religious functions continue late into the night. Once I called on the toll-free number 181, but the issue was resolved for that day only. Policemen told me that religious issues crop up if they tried to stop them.

While most people are disturbed by the noise, they have accepted to live with this nuisance, especially in small towns. The problem of noise pollution of small towns should reach the corridors of government.

Asish Bhalla, Nakodar

Chamba roads bad

The reasons for the frequent accidents in Chamba district are the pathetic conditions of roads, old buses, overloading, shortage of transport, unqualified drivers and irresponsible private bus services. Attention of authorities and citizens is needed to improve road safety conditions in Chamba.

Jayanti Dutta, Sarangpur (Chandigarh)

17 yrs on, no road

Construction work at the Tranda village road in Kinnaur which was started 17 years ago by the PWD still remains a far cry. The road was brought under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana in 2006 and was due for completion in May, 2007. The villagers, especially schoolchildren and old people, suffer daily as they have to trudge 4 km up and down steep hills to reach the main road.

Roop Singh Negi, Tranda (Kinnaur)