Without debates in Parliament politics will deteriorate further
Sagarika Ghose in On one side of the see-saw (Bloody Mary, September 11), has rightly stated that an artificial consensus prevails in Parliament with no genuine ideological exchange and no battle of ideas.
If one cares for the country, one should have the courage to speak his/her mind and if the anti-defection law is hampering informed debate in Parliament, it is time the law is amended. Without a healthy exchange of ideas through debates in Parliament and assemblies, politics will deteriorate further and the voices of the people will not be heard any more.
Parthasarathy Sen, New Delhi
The crime and not the culprit's age should decide the punishment
With reference to This verdict can set a precedent (Our Take, September 11), after the brutal gang rape on December 16 last year of a paramedical student by six men in a moving bus, the tremendous public outrage gave the impression that things were finally changing for the better.
However, on the contrary, women are still being abused and the number of cases of abuse has gone up even after a tough law was framed. The law should also be tough on juveniles who indulge in heinous crimes and while punishing them, the nature of the crime, and not their age, should be the determining factor.
{{/usCountry}}However, on the contrary, women are still being abused and the number of cases of abuse has gone up even after a tough law was framed. The law should also be tough on juveniles who indulge in heinous crimes and while punishing them, the nature of the crime, and not their age, should be the determining factor.
{{/usCountry}}Ramesh Sinha, via email
To check crimes, respect women and implement the laws strictly
This is with reference to Justice, served 9 months cold (September 11). Laws alone cannot prevent incidents of rape and molestation. In a democracy, the legal process is bound to remain a lengthy one as every accused person is given a chance to prove his/her innocence.
The fear of punishment as a deterrent to crime is not always effective. The portrayal of women in movies should change. A combination of respect for women and the effective implementation of the law will check crimes against women.
OP Kapur, Gurgaon