Canvassing rules

Like government employees who are paid from the government exchequer, from a peon to Chief Secretary, are not allowed to directly take part in elections or canvass for any political party or an individual during elections, the ministers, MPs, MLAs, etc., also should not be allowed to do it. They are the representatives of whole areas and people, and not merely members of a party. They are supposed to watch the interest of the people of his/her area. Had these conditions been enforced, the prevailing alarming Covid situation in the country would have been somewhat lighter. Canvassing should be the job of a political party through members of the party and not elected persons.

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Sukhdev Singh, Patiala

Need national plan

Refer to ‘SC wants national plan to tackle Covid crisis’; the court has stated that a national plan is sine qua non to control the deadly disease. Because of the disease, not only human lives are lost, but also medical bills scale up massively. I was astonished to see huge gatherings of people without masks in West Bengal election rallies. Also, why during this crisis period, people were still visiting religious places? If I am healthy, my family will be healthy, society will be healthy.

Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad

Being America

We Indians are gullible and trust easily. We sent vaccines to other countries, as it is in our culture to help others. Last year we sent medicines to America. But now when we need vaccines, it is dithering on sending us raw material. The US calls India a friend, only to use us against China. History shows that the US sees its own interest first.

Narender K Sharma, Joginder Nagar

Lockdown in parts

A national lockdown can’t be ruled out. However, the Centre, once bitten, has left any decision on lockdowns to the states. It is not a political buck that is to be passed around; it could serve as a smart instrument in combating the crisis.

The challenge is in managing the pandemic with the least required disruption in economic activity. A better design for restrictions is essential. Lockdowns can give the government the breathing space to prepare. Ramping up of the health infrastructure must be taken up on a war footing. The Centre must join hands with the states and the Opposition to frame a phased scheme of restrictions that take into account specific requirements of various places, and sectors of the economy.

SANJAY CHOPRA, MOHALI

State failure

States are responsible for the steep rise in Covid cases and claim that it is the duty of the Centre to preserve the health of all citizens. Smaller countries are shocked to see the scarcity of medical oxygen in India. This had to happen. Our preparedness is sketchy. We are densely populated and lack scientific temperament. Religion always wins over science. How can we think of becoming a superpower?

Jasvinder S Humsafar, Maloudh

Congress party at resort

Refer to ‘Resort sealed after Congress bash in Bathinda’; when the mighty violate the law it is always the person who is forced to violate the law for the mighty who suffers. A politician arranged a party at a resort, violating Covid norms, and the authorities arrest the resort owner and seal the resort. Why no action against the party? Congress members violating Covid norms should have been arrested, too.

PS Bhatti, Chandigarh

Not the time for stir

Refer to ‘Khattar’s advice on Sec 144 puts question mark on stir’; banning the assembly of more than four persons is a better option than curfew and lockdown to tame the Covid monster. Rakesh Tikait and others of his ilk must shed defiance of logic and law in the guise of farmers’ agitation (since hijacked by political interests). There is no room for agitations in the current national corona emergency.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

IPL game-changers

Apropos of ‘Man of the hour’, Chennai Super Kings’ talismanic captain MS Dhoni knows how to pull out the best from his players. And why not, he has been doing this job for more than a decade. Jadeja’s excellence in the match against the Royal Challengers is an epitome of this. After a thundering performance with the bat, the left-arm all-rounder gave a jolt to the opponent with the ball, too. But it was Dhoni who kept guiding him from behind the stumps. After a pathetic season last year in the UAE, the Chennai Super Kings seems to have been back in form with four consecutive wins. It is imperative for the three-time IPL champions to regain their lost glory.

Tushar Anand, Patna

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