Crackdown has derailed talks

With reference to ‘Govt vs farmers’; the sudden U-turn by the AAP government towards the demands of farmers has raised eyebrows. The midnight operation at protest sites was perhaps prompted by political compulsions. The demand to allow free movement of vehicles on Shambhu and Khanauri borders had been pending for long and was not met by the Punjab Government despite court orders. The AAP government could have become a mediator between the Centre and farm unions. But this quick action has left farmers in the lurch, paving the way for greater confrontation. The timing of the crackdown has derailed ongoing talks.

Anil Vinayak, Amritsar

Farmers vs consumers

Apropos of ‘Govt vs farmers’; the core issue of legal guarantee of MSP for all crops pits farmers against consumers. It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. ‘Demand and supply’ is the underlying principle of any business. The farmer buys everything in retail but sells his produce in bulk, whatever his compulsions. The real challenge lies in bridging the gulf between what the consumer pays and what the producer gets. The right to protest may be a constitutional guarantee, but it is not a licence to create problems anytime, anywhere.

Rahul Bharadwaj, Bengaluru

‘Dangerous’ HC verdict

With reference to ‘A disturbing verdict’; the Allahabad High Court’s decision is unfair and dangerous. It allows criminals to escape punishment just because of legal loopholes. When a child’s safety is compromised and criminals roam around scot-free, it means our society has failed to protect its children. Sexual violence is not just a crime, it destroys lives. Survivors bear immense suffering, with the legal system often unaware of their mental agony. If we accept such judgments timidly without questioning them, we normalise the crime and silence the victims. We must speak up against any wrong decisions by courts; staying silent would mean more suffering.

Suber Singh Parihar, Nadaun

Wrong precedent

The high court’s verdict in the attempt to rape case in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, not only undermines the severity of the crime against children but also sets a wrong precedent that could weaken the fight against child abuse. At a time when society should be striving for stricter laws and quick relief for victims, such a perverse judgment raises serious concerns about the protection of vulnerable children. Sexual crimes, particularly against minors, inflicts lifelong trauma. This ruling also risks eroding public trust in the legal system and discouraging victims and their families from seeking justice. The safety and dignity of our children must remain paramount, and no legal technicality should dilute the seriousness of such offences.

Bholla Singh Sidhu, Amritsar

Progressive form of penalty

Apropos of ‘Making community service a credible penalty’; the provision of community service in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, represents a shift towards restorative justice. It lays emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into the mainstream rather than punishment being merely a punitive measure. It holds offenders accountable for their acts and also reduces the burden on prisons. This marks a progressive step towards an inclusive and constructive approach to justice in India, not only benefiting the offenders but also the community.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

NEP’s implementation crucial

Apropos of ‘How NEP bridges the education-employment gap'; the degrees held by our youth do not align with the demands of the industry. The New Education Policy can bridge the gap between education and employment to a large extent. But a lot depends on the proper implementation of the policy, which is a Herculean task. The government must keep monitoring the outcomes. Educational institutions have to develop new mechanisms to evaluate pupils’ cognitive skills. Teachers need to be trained to evaluate the students’ skills through innovative techniques. Moreover, there should be transparency in the evaluation process.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur