Here’s one that’s not for the tainted
The defeat of Jharkhand’s incumbent Chief Minister, Shibu Soren, in the by-election from Tamar constituency, at the hands of Jharkhand Party’s Gopal Krishna Patar is a slap in the face for corrupt politicians who do not care about the welfare of the people and are busy minting money for themselves. Let us hope that other corrupt leaders will learn a lesson from Soren’s defeat and mend their ways before they meet justice at the bar of democracy.
RJ Khurana, Bhopal
Words aggravate the crime
The report It was just a rape, says village elder (January 8), shows the high level of depravity that human nature has attained. Not just the 10 accused, but also their parents seem to be oblivious to the humiliation and mental trauma that the victim must be going through. The villagers want a bright future for their children. But it matters little to them if the boys ruin someone else’s life. The culprits’ families, which are openly supporting them, also need to be taught a lesson. After all, it is from them that the accused have learnt their values, or the lack of them.
Delnavaz Engineer-Sooi, Gurgaon
II
The attitude of the inhabitants of Garhi Chawkhandi village, to which the rapists of the 24-year-old MBA student belong, is shocking. If the elders who are supposed to instill values in their offspring have such a casual attitude to a heinous crime, it doesn’t surprise us why their children show disrespect to women and mistreat them. But the question to ponder over is how these people would react if, God forbid, one day their daughters are humiliated by some anti-social elements? Would they still consider it such a small issue?
Ranjana Manchanda, via email
III
The statement by the sarpanch of the Noida village that the girl’s rape wasn’t a big deal is outrageous and needs to be condemned by everyone. Can he justify the act in case women from his family are also subjected to such a shameful act by some rogues? The National Commission of Women, law-enforcement agencies or the judiciary must take necessary action against such people for their irresponsible statements which can motivate people to commit more such crimes.
PK Taneja, via email
III
The statement by the sarpanch of the Noida village that the girl’s rape wasn’t a big deal is outrageous and needs to be condemned by everyone. Can he justify the act in case women from his family are also subjected to such a shameful act by some rogues? The National Commission of Women, law-enforcement agencies or the judiciary must take necessary action against such people for their irresponsible statements which can motivate people to commit more such crimes.
PK Taneja, via email
It’s their problem, not ours
With reference to N. Chandra Mohan’s article Fuelling complaints (January 9), while it is accepted that the demands by oil workers were genuine, one cannot accept that the entire country should be held to ransom by their actions. By going on strike, do they allow any difference between themselves and terrorists who hold innocent people hostage to get their demands fulfilled? They should discuss their problems with the government instead of taking extreme steps that affect the common man. Why should the common man, who doesn’t have a say in the issue, bear the brunt?
Rajesh Nadkarni, Mumbai
The writing on the wall
Apropos of the report Kasab is Pakistani, admits Islamabad (January 8), Pakistan is besieged by its own lies in the war against terrorism, courtesy the fidayeen. The Pakistani information minister has said that the enemy is terrorism from within, not India. It is time for Pakistan to read the writing on the wall. Let the people across the border pray for better sense, wisdom and awakening to prevail on their rulers. World War II should have taught humanity that it is dialogue and not war that can solve problems.
Samir Banerjee, Delhi