Decriminalise defamation

With reference to ‘Criminal defamation’; even seasoned leaders are not above delivering speeches that can hurt others’ sentiments or dent a political opponent’s reputation in the hope of reaping political dividends. But it is high time that this practice be discouraged. There are some reasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of speech. Some measures to ensure that political speeches are not inflammatory or derogatory are required. Politicians should act responsibly and desist from making defamatory statements against one another in public. However, the defamation law needs to go. The aggrieved party in such cases should instead seek civil remedies.

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Subhash Vaid, New Delhi

Check misuse of law

Refer to ‘Criminal defamation’; there is a need to strike a balance between the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 of the Constitution and the right to reputation derived from Article 21. A person’s reputation cannot be sacrificed for the sake of allowing free speech. Further, there is a need to make sure that politicians do not take undue advantage of the criminal defamation law to settle scores with their rivals. In order to check the rampant misuse of this law, complaints should not be registered in the absence of prima facie evidence.

Gaurav Badhwar, Rohtak

Protect autonomy of ED, CBI

Apropos of ‘Tackling corruption’; no matter how many anti-graft drives are undertaken by any government, corruption can never be curbed in this country. It runs deep at various levels across government departments. These days, on the pretext of tackling corruption, Opposition party leaders are being targeted. The ruling dispensation has set a dangerous precedent by compromising the autonomy of such Central probe agencies. It is clear that the BJP-led Centre’s focus is on increasing its footprint in different states and not actually reining in graft. Most people can see through the BJP’s attempt to take down Opposition leaders under the guise of action by such Central agencies.

Ravinder Singh, Jalandhar

Weaponisation of agencies

With reference to ‘Tackling corruption’; former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren is yet to be proven guilty in the land scam case. But his arrest does renew a debate about the weaponisation of Central investigation agencies, such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), to target Opposition leaders. It seems like Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who has already been issued multiple summonses by the ED, could face arrest soon. Why is it that Opposition leaders are being selectively targeted in such scams? After Soren, it seems like the BJP is trying to get Kejriwal now. The action against Opposition leaders by agencies like the ED seems like a political ploy by the saffron party to strategically obliterate the Opposition’s presence in the states that are not ruled by the BJP.

SS Paul, Nadia

Paper leak Bill very stringent

People engaged in malpractices like the leaking of question papers for exams meant for recruitment to Union Government jobs could face up to 10 years in jail and a fine of at least Rs 1 crore, according to a new Bill tabled in the Lok Sabha. While the Bill, which is meant to bring “greater transparency, fairness and credibility” to the public examination system, is a step in the right direction, it has to be reassessed. Such a law might act as a deterrent to those involved in such malpractices, but it is too stringent. Ten years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 crore is not something that a common man or an average government employee can afford. Keeping in mind the suffering of the innocent kin of those convicted under such a law, the stringency of the legislation should be reviewed.

Mohammad Taukir, Bettiah (bihar)

Educate students about saints

Apropos of ‘Haryana Govt unveils bonanza for NGOs propagating saints’ teachings’; it is commendable that the government wants to promote the teachings of great saints from our past. It is imperative to educate people, especially the youth, about the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Guru Nanak and Kabir, as it will imbibe wisdom and values in them. While celebrating the birth anniversaries of such saints, focus must be laid on the views they held and the profound philosophies they introduced to the world. Students at schools should also be taught about such revered personages.

Sidarth Shukla, via mail

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