German option

Apropos the news item “Sanskrit to be third language in KV” (November 28), why has the German language been dropped as third optional? The government could have given the option to students to choose between Sanskrit and German. The change in the middle of the academic session will affect more than 70,000 students in more than 500 KVs of the country. This hampers the pace and time of students and teachers. There is no harm in learning a foreign language as it only helps students. — Nikhil Sharma, Bilaspur

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Option of language

Language is a mean of communication and we should not try to use it for political settlement as referred in the editorial “Sanskrit or German?” (November 27). The introduction of foreign language in the CBSE curriculum was done to increase the job potentiality of the youngsters. Some companies prefer candidates who have studied a foreign language. Is it not the responsibility of HRD to prepare them for their future jobs? It should keep give them the choice between Sanskrit and other languages. — Neelam, Chandigarh

Language politics

German, as a third language in KVS, is to be replaced with Sanskrit. Minister of Water Resources and Rivers Development Uma Bharti has proposed that English, in due course, be replaced with Sanskrit as a link language. Bharti's previous gem of wisdom was to heed the advice of saints instead of scientists in the Ganga river cleaning project. 

Language should unite us as a nation, not pull us asunder. After carving out Haryana from Punjab state, the second language of the new state was Tamil and not Punjabi, which is understood by every Haryanvi and spoken by a majority. Is it not an irony that our national language Hindi is despised by some southern states whereas  Haryana had ignored Punjabi to embrace Tamil, the language which hardly any one speaks or understands in that state? Language politics need to be shunned. — LJS Panesar, via email

J-K voters

I was glad to see the massive voter turnout in the recent Jammu & Kashmir assembly polls. Kudos to the people of J&K for their faith in the Indian democracy and shame to Pakistani-fed separatists and terrorists staying in the state. I wish the media does not highlight the foolish statements and   misdeeds of separatist groups. These so-called leaders and self-appointed custodians of Kashmir and Islam do not have the courage, capacity, calibre and mass base to win even a seat of the local panchayat. — Mumukshu K Thakur, Chamba

Baba culture

The article by Prof SL Sharma "Spiritual saviours or merchants of god?" (November 28) highlighted the baba culture in the country from the sociological perspective. It is a fact that poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, unemployment and social inequalities prevailing in society make the atmosphere conducive for so-called spiritual gurus to develop and flourish. It is the responsibility of the state to take steps to curb this culture. Quality education, especially in rural and underprivileged sections of society, is needed. — Dr Satvinderpal Kaur, Bathinda 

Merchants of God

Apropos the news item "Spiritual saviours or merchants of God?" (November 28), controversial gurus have witnessed high visibility as unholy godmen in recent years. Thanks to some politicians who patronise these merchants of god. Acharya Rajnish had even created the Rajneesh forum in the USA and for that reason, he was ousted from there. These gurus have the uncanny ability to connect with the masses as well as the elite. They excel in the art of double standards. — BR Kaundal, Mandi

Innocent exploited

Apropos the editorial “Tragedy of errors” (November 21), illiterate and ignorant people are susceptible to falling prey to the charm of pseudo saints and their ill designs. Deras are dens of corruption and crime. Poor and ignorant women are molested and raped and men looted and misguided in such camps. What a shame for the government to  witness a huge cache of arms, petrol bombs, acid syringes, grenade and pregnancy test strips and other obnoxious material from Satlok Ashram where Rampal built an incredible fortress. A well-guarded fort, having the capacity of seating one lakh men and food provisions stocked at least for one month and baba's private militia standing guard for him, are astonishing developments in a democratic society. The government should ban such deras and save poor and innocent people from getting exploited and ruined. — Balak Ram Dhiman, Nadaun

Image tarnished

The recovery of heavy cache of arms and ammunition from the dera of Rampal is a big challenge to internal security. Media photos showed men on the ashram roof brandishing sticks in the garb of flags. The image of deras has been tarnished and the last blow has been given by this event, compelling the high court to order a survey of all deras. Hopefully, the deras would have the only objective of spreading love among their followers. — Babu Ram Dhiman, Pinjore

Babas & netas

There is no shortage of godmen in India. MLAs And MPs are elected with the support of followers of such godmen. In return, the government never finalises the court cases of such babas. Cases against Asaram Bapu and Sirsawale Baba Ram Rahim Singh are in public view. — PN Gupta, Sangrur