Free to protest

Apropos of ‘Protest is not terrorism’, the decision of the Delhi HC with regard to the Delhi Police chargesheet is admirable. It not only underscores the loopholes in the chargesheet, but also emphasises the supremacy of the Constitution and fundamental rights. In its anxiety to suppress dissent, our state is forgetting the gap between the right to protest given to citizens and unlawful activities of terrorists. Protesting students were booked under the UAPA without strong evidence. Misuse of law is ruining the lives of many activists and protesters. The HC asserts that people protesting peacefully are an important element of a democracy. The State should exercise caution before levelling any charge of terrorism against them.

Asha Yadav, Yamunanagar

Upholding a right

There is a difference between the constitutionally guaranteed right to protest and terrorist activity, the Delhi High Court observed as it granted bail to three student activists arrested more than a year ago in connection with riots in northeast Delhi that followed protests against the controversial citizenship law. The court noted that UAPA, an anti-terror law, could not be casually applied. The High Court remarked that the chargesheet lacked any specific factual allegations that would constitute offences under UAPA. Scathing judgments by courts are notable, but not a fix for the problem. It is time to uphold the right to protest.

CK Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai

Character-building

Apropos of ‘Pilferage of character’, to curb this vulturous behaviour, character-building has to start in the early years. The likely solution to the problem was given in the article ‘Above board and beyond’. We need to introduce perseverance, art of empathy and critical consciousness at an early stage. Also we as parents, teachers and mentors have to lead our younger generations by example, as David Bly said, ‘Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.’

PS Sodhi, Bengaluru

Belligerent China

Refer to ‘A year after Galwan’; China has been continuing its aggressive designs at LAC for many decades. Its stubborn behaviour and belligerent attitude is not likely to change ever. The deceitful Galwan clash has only increased the trust deficit. Not only in a tactical situation, China has been trying to dominate in many other fields in such a manner that India’s interests are enormously harmed. India must have a firm long-term policy to counter Chinese designs which are obstructing India’s development, especially in strategic and economic spheres. The trade balance tilts to boost Chinese economy whereas they hurt us. Corrective measures are required to be urgently initiated in multi-directional sectors with the active cooperation of all political parties, organisations, traders and the citizens.

Subhash Vaid, New Delhi

Relief for teachers

With regard to non-academic duties given to teachers in Haryana, it is a welcome step that the Director Elementary Education has issued orders to the District Elementary Education Officers not to assign any non-academic duties to the teachers henceforth. It has also been ordered to withdraw such teachers already engaged in such duties. It is a good decision to follow the provisions of the RTE in letter and spirit. It will be desirable if such a step is also taken by the Director Secondary Education to withdraw all TGTs and PGTs or heads of the institutions from non-academic duties. That will enable the teachers to pay attention to classroom teaching, especially in this digital age which is impacting the classroom.

S Kumar, Panchkula

Old-age pension

Elderly people in Haryana have a reason to cheer as the Chief Minister has increased the old-age pension to Rs 2,500 per month, with effect from April 1, 2021. Haryana has taken the lead in looking after its older population. The Punjab Government should follow suit and equalise pension with that of Haryana.

S Chaudhary, Mohali

Fake Covid tests

‘More than one lakh fake Covid tests conducted during Kumbh mela’ proves the negligence of the officials concerned. When private agencies are involved, it is the duty of the government department concerned to check the authenticity of the test. India will develop only when the Central and state governments will not think about their respective parties, but think about the country. Allowing mass gathering during the pandemic is the biggest mistake of the government. The reason for the second wave is the negligence of the government.

Mahak Arora, Chandigarh

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