M A I L B A G

Check dowry deaths with a firm hand

ADITI TANDON’s report, “Most dowry victims in Punjab are poisoned” (May 28) and the editorial “Dowry deaths in Punjab” (May 29) are timely. Dr D.C. Sharma’s research report is a telling story of the heinous crime being committed by the in-laws of young married girls in a prosperous state. All the Punjabis, the state government, social and religious organisations and NGOs should join to tackle this menace. Punjab has already earned a dubious status of having the second lowest sex-ratio (876 females per 1000 males) among the major states. The sex-ratio in the age group of 0-6 years is lowest (789 females per 1000 males) in the country.

Such treatment to women in the land of Guru Nanak (who said, So kion manda aakhiye, jit jamme rajan?, i.e. why should women be condemned who gave birth even to the kings?) is really a slur on all those who kill their wives, daughters-in-law and on all the Punjabis in general.

Though there are Acts like the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Domestic Violence Act, they remain on paper. The editorial rightly stressed the need for strint implementation of the law, transparent governance and social awareness.

Dr RANJIT SINGH GHUMAN, Professor of Economics, Punjabi University, Patiala

II

The report and the editorial are eye-openers for the people in general and the state government in particular. The report highlights facts about dowry deaths during the last four years.

Physical violence, emotional abuse, economic abuse, intimidation, coercion and threats are some of the common forms of abusive behaviour meted out to women in our society. It is evident from the report that young brides kill themselves by consuming poison easily and conveniently.

Stringent enforcement of the law to root out dowry deaths is the need of the hour. Further, the society as a whole should try to curb this menace by attitudinal change.

Dr GULSHAN BIR KAUR, Patiala

III

Usually, dowry deaths had been related to burning or strangulation, but the result of scientific investigation by Dr D.C. Sharma reveals that 84.7 per cent of 176 deaths were not due to burning but poisoning. This painstaking study brings out the greed of dowry seekers in a worst form.

The civil society in Punjab must take up the challenge of dowry death by poisoning the women and launch a campaign against such deaths. The parents of all girls must warn them before marriage to be careful about this form of death. The state government should also issue a stern warning against such unnatural and brutal deaths and the judiciary must impose stringent punishment in such cases. Death by administration of poison is no less than murder and the same punishment should be awarded to the culprits even by making amendments in law.

PARDUMAN SINGH, Emeritus President, Social Security Assn of India, Amritsar

Big B is greedy

It is shocking that an icon of Amitabh Bachchan’s stature can stoop so low just to acquire a piece of land here and there fraudulently by misusing his political connections so ruthlessly. By doing to, he has tarnished his image in the eyes of his ardent fans (Editorial, “Big B as farmer”, June 4).

Amitabh is amongst the top 10 richest persons in India. Yet, his greed for acquiring materialistic goods has not yet been fulfilled. He is behaving like any other greedy politician. As an icon, he must have set an example to the common man of his simplicity and contended life.

RAMESH GUPTA, Narwana (Haryana)

Health hazard

Phagwara is situated on the left blank of a small canal. Water is occasionally released into the canal and the same remains dry most of the time. But now the Phagwara Municipal Council has started releasing sewer water into the canal from adjoining areas.

The stagnating water in the canal is emitting foul smell. It has become a breeding area for mosquitoes and flies. This is a big health hazard for the residents on both banks of the canal. The health problems of the residents of Rattanpura, Onkar Nagar and Phagwara town have been highlighted in The Tribune many times. The authorities concerned should take immediate corrective measures to prevent any epidemic.

CHAMAN LAL NAHAR, Phagwara