Fraternal bonds

Refer to ‘Covid untouchability’(Nous Indica, April 24); to defeat Covid-19, we must indeed ‘build subtleties of respectful coexistence’. We need to respect the identities of one another in order to create good will and mutual trust in these crisis-ridden times. Feudalism as a socio-political and economic system died long ago, but our feudal mentality has survived and damaged the prospects of the broader unity of the common people. Our strength lies in national unity. We can win over coronavirus only through solid and sensible bonds of fraternal ties with our fellow citizens.

Raj Bahadur Yadav, Fatehabad

Mutual distrust

‘Covid untouchability’ (Nous Indica, April 24) dwells upon grave long-term economic, social, religious and political implications in the country, post lockdown. The ongoing pandemic has the potential to more or less redefine our civilisational sensibilities and value system. There are apprehensions that the widening gap between the upper and lower strata of society and the demonisation of the Muslim community due to the Markaz event will disrupt our social harmony and goodwill. This mutual distrust will help canny politicians to polarise votes for electoral gains. We should think beyond our differences.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

Not the time to lose it

Apropos of the editorial ‘Uncivil television’ (April 24), we are becoming less tolerant day by day, whereas in these testing times of Covid, all anchors, politicians and experts should be calm and composed while putting forward their viewpoints. Neither the media nor worthy members of the political class and officers should be biased. They must not forward or assert or take any action without proper scrutiny. Nobody should be indicted unless called for. In these circumstances, we should strive to be caring even towards those with whom we disagree.

Sunil Chopra, Ludhiana

Heckled media

Incidents of intimidation, social media trolling, imposition of draconian laws against journalists and media outfits is becoming the new normal (‘Uncivil television’, April 24). Prime-time shows of most TV channels have become Islamophobic and xenophobic, and are unable to question the government. Some news channels have become hate-spreaders, which is more deadly than coronavirus itself. But nothing can justify the use of force and violence against journalists. If journalistic ethics could get voice, they would cry, ‘Katal mera is tarah tukdo mein hua, kabhi khanjar, kabhi katil badal gaya’.

Naman Ghanghas, by mail

FIRs make no sense

In the cases of lockdown violations, the machinery of criminal justice for offence punishable under Section 188, IPC, has been set in motion by filing FIRs in different states, and over 1 lakh FIRs have been registered under this Section itself. It seems the police are in a competition to file FIRs under this section. The apex court, in various judgments, has clearly stated that an FIR under Section 188 cannot be filed by the police. When the courts are already flooded with cases, will the police be able to file chargesheets? Will the courts be able to hear these cases, and will the civil officers be able to appear in each of these cases?

Khushdeep Goyal, Patiala

In service of mankind

Refer to the middle ‘Salute the ethos of sewa, simran’ (April 24); service has been in the genes of the Sikh community, that too without any self-interest, and with high levels of self-motivation, which is rarely seen in the present world. They deserve a big applause.

Vandana, Chandigarh

Pakistan & pandemic

Reference to the April 23 editorial ‘Pruned terror watchlist’; Pakistan is making use of the coronavirus for keeping its terror infrastructure intact and, at the same time, escaping FATF’s review of steps taken so far in curbing terror financing. India will have to redesign its strategy to deal with trained terrorists, so that Pakistan has to pay an increased price for using terrorism as its State policy.

PS Kaur, by mail

Cap on quota

Refer to the editorial ‘Skewed quota’ (April 24); the SC decision in Chebrolu Leela Prasad Rao and others vs State of Andhra Pradesh and others, quashing 100% reservation for STs reflects the working of the judiciary in keeping a check on the arbitrariness of governments. The 50% cap for quota should be maintained and the decisions in MR Balaji vs State of Mysore and ‘Indra Sawhney and others vs Union of India’ should work as a precedent that in no case reservation should exceed the cap.

Gurasish Singh Chawla, Patiala

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