M A I L B A G

We must save our unborn daughters

Megha Mann’s piece, “Stop murdering the girl child” (Sept 26), was timely. The skewed sex ratio, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, must be corrected. Our society, social setup and mindset are all responsible for the skewed sex ratio.

In the country, there is great bias between boys and girls. Even in the educated and high profile families, dowry is sought from bride’s family. Why do people become greedy at the time of marriage of their son? They demand everything from the bride - good looks, education, highly paid job plus dowry. Even Indians settled abroad have not overcome this greed. Girls’ parents are always under pressure to fulfill the unreasonable demands.

In such circumstances, parents go in for female foeticide. Unless we overcome the dowry menace, we cannot check female foeticide.

Dr SANJU JINDAL, Jagadhri

II

Census figures negate the popular perception that the well off and highly educated citizens ensure a positive juvenile sex ratio. On the contrary, higher income levels and access to technology also influence sex selection.

Ironically, while poverty used to force female foeticide earlier, prosperity is now encouraging it. This shows people’s deep-rooted bias against the girl child. Age-old rituals like cremation by the son and the dowry system weigh down heavily against women and these perpetuate the gender imbalance.

There is a need for strict monitoring and enforcement of the laws like the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act and the Prohibition of Sex Selection Act, 2002. A change in the societal mindset is also necessary.

GAURAV JULKA, Ferozepore City

Ban on bandhs

The three articles on bandhs by V. Eshwar Anand (October 11), Justice Rajindar Sachar (October 12) and B.G. Verghese (October 13) are informative. Admittedly, nobody has the right to call a bandh and hold the people to ransom. What the Karunanidhi government in Tamil Nadu had done on Oct 1 was a blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s orders. If a government itself violates the majesty of the law, action must be taken against the Chief Minister.

On Oct 1, life came to a standstill in Tamil Nadu. Buses and autorickshaws did not ply in the state not because their unions were expressing their solidarity with the Chief Minister but out of fear of the hooligans.

Dr DEV RAJ GUPTA, Ambala City

II

I agree that a government’s duty is to protect and not harm the citizens’ interests and if the government fails to do so, the judiciary should step in to uphold the Constitution.

While The Tribune’s effort in this regard is highly commendable, the media should come out more strongly against bandhs and protest marches of all kinds and highlight the miseries faced by the public. If a protest is in public interest, the political parties (or such other sponsors) will have to ensure that the normal life is not affected in any manner. Of course, this is easier said than done.

Dr VITULL K. GUPTA, Bathinda

III

The people do have the right to protest but peacefully. The government or the courts cannot take away this legitimate right from the people. However, while organising a bandh, the sponsors will have to ensure that this would in no way cause inconvenience to the general public.The responsibility is much more on the state government when it sponsors a bandh.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana

IV

I differ with Justice Rajinder Sachar about his views on bandhs. Of course, in a civilised society like ours, it is permissible to hold demonstrations against a policy perceived to be faulty. But the demonstrators cannot force the others to emulate them. And that is what happens in the case of a bandh.

The “grave inconvenience” to the public is the “inevitable hazard” of a bandh. And that is why, the bandh is totally unacceptable.

CHAMAN LAL KORPAL, Amritsar

World Food Day

Food, water and shelter are basic needs of a man. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has rightly observed World Food Day on Oct 16. The aim of observing this Day was to provide bread to each and every person, irrespective of one’s age group, sex, caste or nationality.

So, friends let’s join hands and uplift such humane social causes and serve all those who need us. Do it, it will purely improve the present situation.

JASPREET K. PAHWA, Ludhiana

Expand the scheme

The High Court Lawyers Welfare Fund Committee has launched a family pension scheme from October 2 for the widows of the High Court lawyers who die while in practice. It is a welcome step.

As it is a good welfare scheme aimed at helping the families of the advocates, the same benefit should be extended to the working lawyers of the lower judiciary, district and sub-divisional courts in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh UT.

BALDEV SINGH KANG, Advocate, Fatehgarh Sahib