M A I L B A G

Spreading the message of love & justice

I fully endorse the views of Justice Rajinder Sachar in his article “Abolish death penalty” (July 5). Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, has observed in his novel “Resurrection”: “For many centuries, people considered to be criminals have been executed. Well, have they been exterminated?” The award of death penalty for murder is, in fact, based on the pre-historic and pagan concept of justice.

No one commits murder just for the heck of it. The consequences are quite known to everyone. Many a time, the murderer is himself at the receiving end till he is forced to commit the crime. The number of murders and convictions depend upon the temperament of people of a particular region and production of witnesses in court by the prosecution, respectively. General conclusions cannot be drawn.

The need of the hour is to spread the message of mutual love and justice among the younger generation to eliminate the negative thoughts of hatred, greed and revenge.

A few decades back, in Punjab, a murderer was acquitted by the court but the brothers of the victim, shot him dead on his coming out of the court room, yelling: “The Judge may acquit you, but we won’t”.

S.S. BENIWAL, Chandigarh

II

Justice Rajinder Sachar is absolutely right in saying that “sometimes it is miscarriage of justice”. When the victim cannot be compensated after death what a man cannot give, what right he has to take?

Death sentence is regarded as the most deterrent punishment to set right an extreme wrong as well as to deter future wrong-doers. However, most surveys released the world over contradict it.

No doubt, more than 118 countries have abolished death penalty either in law or practice. Hence, life sentence is better than death penalty. The quality of legal advice, based on money power, enables the rich to avoid death penalty, making a mockery of justice to all.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

Governors’ removal

Apropos of the editorial “Why this fuss?” (July 3), in a democracy, we agree to disagree. Here the Opposition has a role and the Government, a responsibility. The unceremonial removal of governors on ideological basis is not a very convincing argument. After all almost every public servant has political leanings. This being his personal privilege should in no way interfere with the discharge of his duties as per the policies and programmes of the government of the day.

If one is found wanting, there are legal and constitutional provisions to set things right. Those in power should set a healthy convention in the larger interest of the nation. The Opposition shall certainly reciprocate.

S. SWAROOP SHARMA, Dharamshala

II

A hue and cry is being raised on the removal of those Governors who were appointed by the NDA government. In fact, these Governors should have resigned the moment the UPA Government took office.

KHUSHHAL THAKUR, Chandigarh

Of human rights

Reference “Liberal Congress traditions at stake” by Kuldip Nayar (July 8). It is fortunate that Indians are not taken in by the “Rightists”. The very idea of “human rights” in India is conceived in the sin of attempts to patronise anti-national elements and Pakistan’s moles and to indulge in legal quibbling to extricate them from the clutches of the law-enforcing agencies.

The ploy of the “human rights activists” to communalise everything is too blatant and brazen as not to be perceived by even an ordinary person. “Human rights” movement is a political cabal pandering to a worst type of policy. It is because of this that people never believe their version of a happening. What is wrong if the terrorists are hanged by a nearby pole? After all justice by deterrent punishment is more important than merely the niceties of law.

The decision to do away with POTA has, no doubt, sent a wave of jubilation among human rights activists but the law-abiding citizens, who value human life, are shocked by the anti-national and short-sighted policy of Dr Manmohan Singh’s government.

Police reforms are long overdue. Not to save the terrorists but to help common man get justice. Everybody is equal before law. Special privileges cannot be granted to terrorists. If the letter of the law has to be a little distorted for the sake of justice and the good of society, it is no violation of human rights.

CHAMAN LAL KORPAL, Amritsar

In tune with our national ethos Apropos of the editorial “Feel good: India shines on Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi” (June 15) and the letters on the subject, the service rendered by the train supervisor and the doctors travelling in the Shatabdi Express is commendable. They came out in flying colours in upholding the best traditions of ‘Sewa’ befitting our national and religious ethos. I would like to recall a similar incident while travelling by the Bombay-Delhi Rajdhani Express a few years ago. A first-time expectant mother had pain at about 9 p.m. An announcement was made in the public address system for a doctor to attend on her. I immediately went to the coach and found the lady in distress. After due examination, I advised a suitable position for the lady. I also gave her some medicines for immediate relief. The night journey passed off smoothly. In the morning, while alighting at New Delhi Railway station, the parents of the patient profusely thanked me for the timely help. But I felt satisfied because I could be of some help to a needy patient in an emergency. I wish more and more people follow such examples to retire people’s faith in the insensitive system. Brig (Dr) H.S. SANDHU (retd), Panchkula