India’s diplomacy shines through

PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow underscores India’s resilient diplomacy amid the Ukraine conflict. Strengthening Delhi-Moscow relations across various sectors, Modi’s engagement signals a firm stand on bilateral cooperation despite global tensions. His poignant reminder to President Vladimir Putin about the futility of war, especially after a missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, highlights India’s role as a responsible global player. This visit also conveys a clear message to the US-led Western bloc: India’s strategic partnership with Russia remains steadfast, even under the shadow of sanctions. Modi’s emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy reiterates India’s pragmatic stance, ensuring it remains a crucial, independent voice in global affairs. New Delhi’s nuanced approach solidifies its position, making it indispensable to both Western and Russian interests.

Gurdev Singh, by mail

Maintenance a right of women

The Supreme Court ruling affirming maintenance rights for Muslim women under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is a momentous step towards gender justice. Justices BV Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih have rightly underscored that maintenance is not charity but a fundamental right of all married women, regardless of their faith. This verdict echoes the historic Shah Bano ruling, in which the apex court had upheld a divorced Muslim woman’s right to maintenance. Despite subsequent legislation, the court’s decision reinforces the enduring applicability of Section 125. By ensuring Muslim women’s entitlement, the court champions equality and strengthens their social and economic security. This ruling sets a precedent — one that will ensure progress and inclusivity. Let us celebrate this stride towards a more just and equitable society.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

Shed bias to get House in order

Refer to the article ‘Presiding officers must run Parliament sans bias’; the writer has rightly observed that India’s parliamentary traditions are being trampled upon by the presiding officers at the behest of their party. It would be naive of us to expect the presiding officers of Parliament — Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Upper House Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar — to perform their duties without bias. Unfortunately, when the presiding officer demonstrates his allegiance to the ruling party, democracy begins to degenerate into autocracy. Gone are the days when the Speaker would distance himself from the party he originally belonged to and run the House in such a way that every member got an equal opportunity to participate in the lawmaking process.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

Big relief for Punjab’s farmers

The stepmotherly treatment meted out by the Haryana Government to the rest of the nation is beyond the pale. From intentionally disrupting the water supply to Delhi to installing barricades at the Shambhu border, the steps taken by the state government have spelt trouble for local industrialists, residents, farmers and commuters. In this backdrop, the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s direction to the state to remove the barricades from the border is welcome.

Jakir Hussain, Kanpur

S+4 policy will ease parking woes

The Haryana Government’s fresh approval for the construction of stilt-plus-four (S+4) floors in residential areas will generate much-needed car parking space, easing the woes of the residents. As a result, the lanes in those localities will no longer remain congested. Besides, the policy will also help address the need for proper housing. But it is imperative that comprehensive construction norms are put in place to safeguard the interests of all residents.

Tarzan Sharma, Barnala

Pause and pray for the departed

The middle ‘Death doesn’t move us anymore’ rightly noted that most of us remain unmoved when someone passes away. Attending cremations, last rites or bhog ceremonies of the deceased has been reduced to a mere formality. Values like empathy and concern for our fellow human beings have been lost in the mad rush to the top. We must not become so hardened that the demise of a fellow citizen does not faze us anymore. Remember, we are never too busy to pause and say our prayers for the departed soul.

Beant Singh, by mail

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