End stalemate

Apropos of ‘Matter of shame’, the CM has done well to reiterate his government’s commitment to take action against those who disturb peace. At the same time, he has urged the PM to intervene for an early resolution of the farmers’crisis to prevent any further escalation. For now, the BJP has seized the moment to target Punjab’s Congress government and demanded President’s rule. But the BJP, too, must heed the dangers of the widening gulf between restless farmers and mainline parties. Already in Punjab, the BJP doesn’t have a significant electoral presence and has lost a vital interlocutor after its split with the SAD. The Congress, though it swept the local bodies polls, has no reason to be complacent. Neither a state nor the nation gains from this political stalemate. As people’s representatives, politicians should speak to the farmers again. The unnatural political silence must be broken.

SK Singh, by mail

Onset of anarchy?

In the name of protest, the incident of manhandling and stripping a member of the Legislative Assembly of Punjab is, indeed, a disgrace (‘Matter of shame’). Punjabis are considered to be large-hearted. While it is not another act of mob-lynching, the unruly behaviour of the protesting group has ashamed the people of Punjab, Punjabiat and democracy. The MLA from Abohar is a democratically elected representative of the people of his constituency. Are we, as a society, on the brink of anarchy and jungle raj?

KK Sood, Nangal

GDP and social welfare

Apropos of ‘India not out of woods, real GDP growth to be 7.5 to 12.5 per cent: World Bank’, economic growth has raised living standards around the world. However, modern economies have lost sight of the fact that the GDP merely measures the size of a nation’s economy and doesn’t reflect a nation’s welfare. Yet policymakers and economists often treat the GDP as an all-encompassing unit to signify a nation’s development, combining its economic prosperity and societal well-being. As a result, policies that result in economic growth are seen to be beneficial for society.

Ekta Sharma, by mail

In the name of religion

Reference to ‘22 held for attempts on policemen’; with respect to religious sentiments, one is appalled to see the misdeeds of the participants during Holla Mohalla celebrations. The sword-wielding self-proclaimed worshippers and protectors of religion came across as goons. A Sikh is expected — if at all — to carry a ‘kirpan’and not a lethal sword. Let me also share that it is heartening to see that at Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in Delhi, or any local gurdwara, one does not see even a single worshipper or any sewadar without a mask. Wish one could say the same about the Golden Temple! Be it ‘Maha Isnaan’at the Ganga, Holla Mohalla, or any other large religious gathering, these have to be suspended till things improve.

SPS Narang, New Delhi

Benevolent Nijjar

Apropos of ‘An outstanding legal mind imbued with a vision’, a friend of mine was working in a government department as a head clerk and his promotion was challenged in the high court by another clerk by hiring a well-known advocate. My friend had heard about Justice Nijjar who was practicing in the court then, but could not afford to pay his fee. He mustered courage and went to Nijjar’s residence but was reluctant to enter the office. He caught Nijjar’s attention and explained his dilemma. Nijjar heard his case and promised to fight the case free of cost. He later won the case.

KS Dhami, California

Living up to legacy

I am member of a club which bears the consensual title of ‘Tribune Club’. Its members share a common taste, of subscribing to The Tribune, hence the name of the club. The members are of the view that this is the only paper which is not owned by any business house or individual. The paper has remained independent, transparent and apolitical during its long history of 140 years. But of late, a slant is conspicuous in the views, opinions and writings. Some writers that regularly appear dispense a particular ideology. But it is welcome. Everyone has a right to dissent and also of freedom of expression. Ironically, if some reader endeavours to contradict these writers, the same does not find place in the paper. On March 29, I mailed my views to the letters column on Keki Daruwalla’s article, “Who we are kidding here?” I wanted to puncture the hubris of this erudite writer because he slapped the epithet of ‘non-intellectual elite’ to all those whom he regularly criticised.

But sadly my views were not published. The Tribune vociferously projects itself as a supporter of right to dissent and freedom of expression. But it was not so in this case. May I ask why it is so?

Kiran Sharma, SunderNagar (HP)

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com