Break the silence to ensure that no sexual offender is roaming free
With reference to the editorial Silence is not golden (February 15), it is inspiring that musician Anoushka Shankar talked about the sexual and emotional abuse she suffered as a child. It is tragic that the ignominy and so-called loss of honour make it difficult for women and children to raise their voice against sexual abuse and often family members disturbingly turn a blind eye to such heinous crimes. It’s time we realised that only by coming out of the shadows of sexual abuse and not letting a sexual offender roam free can we ensure a safer world for children and women.
Rajan Kalia, via email 

Afzal Guru is not innocent
This refers to Nandini Sundar’s article No room for others (February 12). The writer claims that the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was unjust but she fails to give any plausible explanation to validate her argument. She mentions a few cases where it is ‘supposed’ that justice has not been done like the Gujarat riots and the Rajiv Gandhi assassination. But such an observation doesn’t make a case for Afzal’s innocence. If there weren’t sufficient and satisfactory evidence to establish Afzal’s crime, the Supreme Court would not have sent him to the gallows.
Kundan Kumar, via email 

Give priority to the common man
It is appalling that despite the Supreme Court questioning the indiscriminate use of red beacons and VIP security time and again, the reality on the ground remains unchanged (Beacons being misused says SC, wants govt to impose ban, February 15). The government should downsize VIP security and divert it for the safety of ordinary people, particularly women, in the wake of December 16 gang rape. Our political class must make the common man’s welfare its priority.
MC Joshi, Lucknow