Amend TA rules

Apropos of ‘Anurag Thakur is Capt in Territorial Army’, the Army is apolitical, how can a politician and minister be in TA, take part in active politics and propagate his party’s agenda in elections? A serving soldier on leave took part in Kisan Ekta Morcha, where his father was protesting, was charged under the Army Act. Thakur took part in election rallies and led the crowd to chant ‘Goli maro saalon ko’. Why should he not be charged under the same Act and court-martialled? Why a different yardstick? How can active politicians be allowed to serve in TA? If he is allowed, why are active soldiers not allowed in active politics? When in Opposition, will Thakur be allowed to raise slogans against the government wearing Army uniform? TA rules must be amended to stop this misuse of the Army.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Mohali

The victim card

Apropos of ‘TMC attacks EC as Didi lands in hospital; Oppn calls it drama’, whatever the cause of her injury, it has given sufficient fodder to media outlets which are running the story ad nauseam. As politicians enjoy such low credibility and are adept in cooking up stories, voters do not take them seriously. This episode may be a classic case of the crying wolf. Voters are disillusioned and hope that the parties shall get down to brass tacks and shy away from politics of the pot calling the kettle black, and playing the victim card.

Deepak Singhal, Noida

Attack on Mamata

It is still a mystery whether the attack on Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was a conspiracy or a strategy to garner public sympathy for the upcoming elections. But what is the point of Z plus security if the CM can be attacked in the presence of security personnel? Is Mamata Banerjee’s security force so weak in Bengal that the CM gets attacked and none of her security personnel takes quick action?

Nandani jangir, Panchkula

Keeping it together

Apropos of ‘Keeping couples safe’, caste and communal prejudices are not only deeply entrenched and buttressed by misogyny in our society, but also are nurtured on a daily basis by our communal and casteist leaders, social organisations and tradition-bound families. In such a hostile environment, young men and women who defy socio-cultural mores and tie the nuptial knot, regardless of caste and community considerations, are helping dismantle barriers and are promoting social harmony. By ensuring shelter and safety to such runaway couples, the court is also contributing to the slow process of transition in society towards harmonious social ambience. These marriages are harbingers of social change.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

Curfew is back

Refer to ‘One year of pandemic’; a year later, India is back with night curfews and lockdowns amid a steep rise in Covid cases across states, including Punjab. The present surge in cases is not due to Wuhan or international arrivals, but because of our own complacency. The decline in test and contact tracing by the health authorities, throwing open large congregations by the administration and people’s casual approach in adhering to safety protocols are among the reasons.

Anil Vinayak, Amritsar

Letting them down

‘Time can’t heal some scars’ is a touching piece. Is it not a shame that Taro Devi who lost her husband in the nation’s service was forced to live in a dilapidated house till the writer found out and helped her? The wives/families of the PoWs and war heroes deserve better treatment from our great nation that spends crores on building statues and lakhs on its ‘netas’.

Aswant Kaur Gill, Tarn Taran

No-trust vote

Refer to ‘55 vs 32 : Khattar govt easily sails through no-trust vote’; it was expected even before the motion was taken up by the House in view of the whips issued by three parties in the Assembly. The government will stay in power till it has the support of the JJP. But does the government have the right to stay in power when its support base has been eroded in the state? Morals and ethics have no meaning for modern-day politicians. The Central government committed a blunder in passing the three farm Bills in a hurry, bypassing all discussions/negotiations with the parties concerned and now the deadlock will create only more ill will for those in power, be it the Centre or states. Renegotiations should begin to end this chaos.

Suresh Verma, Chandigarh

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