Violation of Lahore Declaration

MR Arun Singh Chhetri’s letter (May 31) was quite educative as it recapitulated Pakistan’s repeated efforts to occupy sensitive parts of Jammu and Kashmir, eventually affecting the movement of our troops along specific routes so imperative for the security and integrity of our nation.

While Pakistan’s latest mischief is a flagrant violation of the Simla Accord of 1972 as also the recent Lahore Declaration, which it never took seriously, our valiant and dedicated armed forces can be depended upon for giving it a befitting response. Though the scenario typified by Pakistan’s perfidy is depressing insofar as it makes us acutely conscious of those who have always, now and in the past, taken our good-neighbourliness and friendliness too lightly, we should also feel sorry for our complacency and intelligence failure — whether at the field level or at the monitoring end.

Last, but not the least, I would like to make a suggestion. At this juncture, when the nation is fighting a crucial battle for its lifeline to the strategic sectors of our frontier state, must we evince our keenness to go ahead with the World Cup tournament in England? If the Western powers can boycott and withdraw from Olympic events in Moscow and elsewhere in protest against political developments and violent incidents, will it be out of place if we withdraw from the tournament even at this late stage to draw world attention to the perfidy and the diabolical and obnoxious designs of a hostile neighbour?

It will be a gesture in keeping with the spirit of the call given by the illustrious leader, Lal Bahadur Shastri, for a fast a week in the midst of aggression from Pakistan! This is the least we except of an able Prime Minister.

J. N. NARANG
Chandigarh

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Political crisis

The present discussion on political leadership goes far beyond the question of individuals and naturalised citizenship. It is really a systemic failure to generate local leadership after even a century of existence, recalling an incident during Sir Phirozeshah Mehta’s days.

Nearly a century ago when Sir Phirozeshah Mehta was told by some of his followers that “our people have many shortcomings, and hence the party suffered”, he is reported to have thundered: “They are our people, and we have to work with them. We cannot import people.”

The crisis of leadership has arisen because in earlier days it was generated by service and sacrifice, and politics was an opportunity to serve the public whereas today it arises mainly from three sources: brand equity of political families, mass appeal through media visibility gained by movie stars and sports people, and criminals who have lately discovered that rather than work through the proxy of political leaders, they should directly get into politics and share the booty of power and patronage.

The earlier day route of political leadership was local municipalities (e.g. Jawaharlal Nehru in the Allahabad Municipal Corporation, and Sardar Patel in Ahmedabad). Today it is reckoned to be too slow for impatient people.

The failure of the Constitution-makers to specify any qualification — a government office chaprasi has to have some minimum qualification while his political masters can be illiterate is another reason for this crisis.

This crisis of leadership will bedevil all political parties in the days to come unless they evolve a system of selection and training, and ensure that years of public service and transparency in personal finances is a must for occupying any office.

M. R. PAI
Mumbai

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Academic piracy

Apropos of a recent news item “Plagiarism in varsities” (The Tribune), it may be stated that academic piracy and dishonesty has demoralised the real teacher, scholar and academic on the campuses. He remains unnoticed and those who are indulging in academic fraud are thriving and parading themselves as scholars of eminence.

In HP University, professor plagiarised the M.Phil thesis of a student in the neighbouring university for his doctoral dissertation. This case was investigated and the teacher was found to be guilty of plagiarism, but the university is yet to take any action despite the fact that the Chancellor has a law background and is known for justice.

Only committees are formed now and then. Should we expect excellence to thrive in such institutions? Will the UGC and the chancellors, who are considered to be the guardians of these institutions of higher learning, save them from becoming dens of academic pirates.

S. P. TEJTA
Shimla

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Anti-Sonia drive

A very unfortunate controversy has been sparked off over the issue whether a person who is not an Indian citizen by birth should be allowed to hold the three highest executive posts — those of the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister. All this controversy centres round Mrs Sonia Gandhi, who is a potential contender for the post of Prime Minister.

It is undeniably true that she enjoys immense popularity among the masses only because of her being associated with the most distinguished Nehru-Gandhi family of India. But the impression is being built up as if the governance of the country is being entrusted to a foreigner, which is a matter of national shame and ignominy.

Her identity as a member of this distinguished family is being totally denied. But the reality is quite the opposite in the sense that she has strengthened the weakening Congress party. She has rejuvenated and revamped this party, and in the coming elections under her leadership the Congress is likely to retrieve its lost glory.

The outcome of the result will be a referendum on her being accepted or rejected to hold the post of Prime Minister. But power-hungry politicians not only in the Opposition but in the Congress too want to prevent her from rising to this level by hitting her below the belt. The scare in the Opposition parties indicates her overwhelming popularity.

Let the electoral battle be fought in a fair way. The stalwarts of the Opposition on the one hand say that she has no political experience and maturity, and on the other find in her the most formidable rival. She has already proved her worth, and it is the height of unfairness if she is prevented from making it to the Prime Ministerial post by resorting to abominable tactics.

The Prime Minister has stated that it is not in good taste to raise the issue of her foreign origin. Now he is also backing out by saying that this issue will be included in the party’s manifesto. Such waywardness on the part of the Prime Minister does not behove a leader of his eminence.

(Prof) R. L. Goel &
(Prof) R. S. CHAWLA
Ladwa