Chinese game plan

This refers to the editorial ‘Naked expansionism’ (July 7). The more the government is indulging in rhetoric and symbolic action against China, the more it is flexing its muscles. China is keen to keep the border cauldron boiling with the insidious objective of projecting to the world that India is a tinderbox, so that potential investors who are contemplating to shift to India shall shelve their plans. China may have mutually agreed to disengage at the LAC, but it could be a stratagem to confuse India, as it has been doing for ages. It is naïve to expect that the China imbroglio shall be resolved soon. China wants India to join the league of nations like Pakistan and Nepal that are playing second fiddle to it.

Deepak Singhal, via mail

Salami slicing

The editorial ‘Naked expansionism’ (July 7) reveals Chinese hunger for hegemony in the comity of nations. Chinese monetary handouts to vulnerable countries make them easy prey to the shameless expansionism of the Dragon. The Ladakh incursion is a militaristic and strategic warning to all the neighbouring as well as regional countries to beware of the Chinese designs. The bigger economic powers of the world have been unable to contain China because every move by it is well-planned and executed, including ‘salami slicing tactic’ of two steps forward and one back.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Custodial torture

Apropos of ‘Time for a movement against police brutality’ (July 4), the writer has made a sweeping statement about the custodial torture by the police prevalent since long. What did he do to stop it when he was the police chief? Why was the evil not nipped in the bud? If the police are disallowed from using harsh methods, how will they deal with hardened criminals? But if allowed, the police tend to cross the line. A middle path is needed. It is easy to come out with suggestions after one’s retirement while doing little when in service. This is not to suggest that the police force needs no reforms. It will have to do much to refurbish its sullied image. But for a brutal act of a few individuals, let us not malign the whole force. The police have a difficult task to do, but they should strive to be more friendly and never brute.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), JALANDHAR

Why Aug 15 deadline?

Reference to ‘ICMR jumps the gun’ (July 6); such haste for a vaccine is inappropriate as its effectiveness will be questioned worldwide. The trials cannot be rushed because risk will prevail on those suffering from the virus and the possible side-effects of the vaccine. Moreover, if scientists are claiming that it is nearly impossible to make a vaccine so soon, how can it be launched by August 15? Is it a publicity stunt to coincide with Independence Day?

Drishti Doel, Jalandhar

Endless protests

Refer to ‘Unpaid for months, BSNL staff protest’ (July 7); ‘grouse does not give liberty to a victim to disobey the laws of the land’. The rampant increase in cases of protesters climbing water tanks or towers or creating ‘bandh chaos’ has acquired alarming proportions of disobeying law as well as damaging public property. Being an interest group, such protesters get their demands fulfilled sooner or later with all compensation, but the damage their protest does to the nation and humanity is often irrecoverable. Such damaging style of protesting needs to be contained administratively.

MPS Chadha, Mohali

Change is here to stay

In ‘Pandemic has ushered in the new normal’ (July 6), the writer has analysed the catastrophic situation caused by this global contagion. Undoubtedly, these happenings change the course of history. The pandemic has disrupted the socio-economic scenario on this planet and the survival of the human race will require a disciplined approach by adopting the ‘new normal’ habits which may include a combination of traditional and modern lifestyles. The advancements in science and technology must be harnessed for the welfare of humankind.

Vimal Setia, Faridkot

Absentee Rahul

Apropos of ‘BJP questions Rahul’s absence from defence panel meetings’ (July 7), it is shocking that a top leader of the principal opposition party has not attended even a single meeting out of 11 meetings of the standing committee on defence matters held so far. What is the point of wasting so much time and public money on these parliamentary standing committees? Rahul Gandhi has lost his moral right to question the government on defence matters when he had no time to give his views. A responsible Opposition leader ought to do much more than criticising the government on Twitter every day.

Ashok kumar, Jalandhar

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