Caste factor

Apropos of ‘Annihilating identities’ (Nous Indica); no one can win elections by depending only on the votebank of his own caste, he also needs the support of other castes or social groups. The success of the BSP in UP exemplifies the point. At the initial stage, it won the hearts of only the SCs and found it hard to win a single seat, but when backward communities like Kurmis and Rajbhars and a section of the Muslims decided to back it, the entire political scenario was radically transformed. It is time we look beyond caste identities and acknowledge merit in promising people, irrespective of their social background.

RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

Conflicting ambitions

Channi’s elevation raises hope of empowerment of the oppressed classes (‘Annihilating identities’), but the puppeteering in the Congress leaves no room for doubt that he may become another use-and-throw Jitan Ram Manjhi. Conflicting ambitions derail democracy. Votebank politics thrives on exploiting caste, regional and religious identities; annihilating them is a distant dream. Nevertheless, Channi would do well to make hay while the sun shines. He particularly needs to strive for the uplift of disadvantaged women.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Is it for real?

With reference to ‘Channi: Regular jobs for Class D staff’; Channi is giving hope to improve education and employment opportunities for Class D staff, but at the same time, forces one to think if the new CM is just another pawn of the Congress to influence voters. As the party high command forced Amarinder Singh to resign for the party’s good to win the next elections, how can we trust them to do good for the welfare of the state when the focus is only on elections? Every year the government makes promises to give employment and to set up new educational institutes and hospitals, but no one takes the responsibility to improve the existing ones that have limited facilities and are not well equipped. The game of politics is all about politics, but people vote in the hope of a better future, which remains unfulfilled.

Sakshi Sharma, Amritsar

Sinner and saint

Refer to ‘Death of a mahant’; India has been a country of saints and sages for centuries. A saint’s life is free of greed and desire. One who lives a spiritual life separates from worldly possessions. But how does one define a modern saint, in whom the worldly aspect is more? The past over a decade, we have seen greed and lust among prominent so-called saints. Their political hold is also strong. Many politicians are even seen in ashrams. Several ‘saints’ are in jail for their criminal activities. Now, there is no saint like Kabir nor is there any human messenger like Mother Teresa. When a dispassionate life is greedy, what to expect from others?

Sikandar Bansal, Shimla

NDA training standards

Reference to the SC order regarding women’s entry into the NDA, it would be disastrous if the training standards are lowered to accept women for gender parity at the cost of national security. In the Olympics, why have separate teams for men and women in hockey and football? If women are equal physically, let us root for only one team comprising men and women. The NDA is the prime institution that produces future military commanders to lead our soldiers from the front to attack enemy posts. Will women be able to do it? What will happen if defeated and captured, they become POW of, say, the likes of the Taliban. The US had a bitter experience in the Gulf War when two women were captured by the enemy and sexually assaulted. After that no woman soldier was inducted into the war zone, especially not in Afghanistan.

GS BHULLAR, Jalandhar Cantt

India must rely on itself

After the end of Cold War, China has emerged as a formidable power centre in Asia. Quad was formed to counter China’s growing presence and influence in the Indo-Pacific trade region. To bolster Quad, AUKUS has been formed. Quad and AUKUS members are positioning themselves to put pressure on China. India being nearest to China geographically has more at stake than any other country. Quad and AUKUS are okay, but India should not totally rely on them. A strong India militarily is the answer. And India is moving in that direction.

Ashok bahl, Kangra

Abundance of Dy CMs

Parties in Punjab are wooing voters with the promise of appointing Deputy CMs from a particular caste and religion. But the public should think twice before casting their votes as these promises will serve no purpose. There is no constitutional post of Deputy CM. Generally, the post is used in a coalition government to satiate the ego of a minority partner. Will concerned parties give enough powers to their Deputy CMs in decision making? These posts will only burden the exchequer.

Rajesh goyal, by mail

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