Alarm bells ringing

The editorial, ‘Ludhiana blast’ expresses fears and apprehensions of all patriotic, sane and sensible people of the country about the tragic incidents in Punjab. The alleged sacrilege attempts and the lynching of two persons have set the alarm bells ringing. The Ludhiana blast clearly underlines the deeper conspiracy of vested interests to create communal disharmony for petty electoral gains. The sinister intervention on the sly from across the border cannot be ruled out. It’s the ordinary people who suffer whenever social harmony is disturbed in this border state. The ‘big fish’ who wish to thrive by operating behind the scenes must be exposed and punished.

Raj Bahadur Yadav, Fatehabad

Stay vigilant

It is a matter of grave concern that a blast occurred inside the court complex in Ludhiana, in which a person was killed. And, this happened days after the sacrilege attempt at the Golden Temple. It is shocking that all this is happening when the Assembly elections are just round the corner. Troublemakers have become active and are disturbing the peaceful atmosphere in the state. People in Punjab need to stay vigilant as more disturbances cannot be ruled out.

Subhash C Taneja, Gurugram

Replace ‘flying coffins’

Refer to ‘MiG-21 crashes in Jaisalmer, Wg Cdr killed; more than 400 accidents have taken place involving MiGs, claiming 200 precious lives of pilots. MiG-21 is infamously known as the ‘flying coffin’. Many are of the 1960s vintage, upgraded from time to time. Still, we have about 100 such seemingly obsolete aircraft. It is time these are phased out and replaced with technologically advanced fighters. We cannot afford to lose our trained pilots in such accidents.

Subhash Vaid, New Delhi

Fatal liabilities

Once again, a MiG-21 has crashed, wherein a pilot lost his life, raising many questions. Why are these obsolete flying machines not being phased out? It is high time the authorities expedited the process. More than two weeks have passed and the next CDS is yet to be appointed in place of General Bipin Rawat, who also lost his life in a helicopter crash. Top priority must be accorded to military matters in letter and spirit.

Ravi Bhushan, Kurukshetra

Shrouded in mystery

It is unfortunate to learn about the death of the pilot in the crash during the training sortie of a MiG-21. While the customary inquiry ‘is being ordered’ to ascertain the real cause of the accident, one fails to comprehend the rationale behind using these ‘flying coffins’ despite these enjoying a dubious track record. Why can’t the govt/IAF urgently consider utilising some other domestic or imported fighter plane with better safety record instead of regularly putting the lives of our pilots at risk? But, what truly prevents them from doing so always remains shrouded in mystery.

Kumar Gupt, Panchkula

Decommission ‘Fishbed’

Apropos of ‘MiG-21 crashes in Jaisalmer, Wg Cdr killed’, these supersonic jets flying at a speed of around 2 mach may have helped India in the 1971 War, but it is time officials put a halt on its use. As many as 482 MiGs have crashed so far of the 872 procured from the Soviet Union in the late 1950s. In 2021 alone, this is the fifth crash of MiG-21 and due to this, it is also called the ‘flying coffin’ or ‘Fishbed’. In addition to outdated systems and airframe, it has landing and pilot seat ejection problems as well. It is time the government decommissioned these fighter jets.

Gurshan Sidhu, Mohali

All lives matter

The middle ‘Lest they are forgotten’ has refreshed sad memories of the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. Thousands of families lost their young members during these wars, which were perhaps avoidable. Let us not forget that the same number of families are ruined across the border as well. Sahir Ludhianvi conveys a beautiful and meaningful message: “Khoon apna ho ya paraya ho, nasle-aadam ka khoon hai aakhir, jang mashriq mein ho ya magrib mein, aman-e-alam ka khoon hai aakhir.”

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Elections can wait

In reference to the editorial ‘Milder Omicron’, whether the milder Omicron remains mild and under control only the Election Commission’s way of handling the poll will tell. Allahabad HC’s observation on whether UP polls should be deferred and an IIT-Kanpur study forecasting an Omicron peak in early February, when elections are also due in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, gives the EC much to mull over. If need be, it must consider deferring elections if a third wave gains pace. Elections, while absolutely necessary for a democracy, can surely wait to tide over a public health emergency. The EC mustn’t spare any effort to safeguard people from the risks invited by reckless electioneering.

Lajwant Singh, by mail

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