Judge’s virtues matter

Refer to ‘Empowering HCs’; to perpetuate an error is no virtue, but to rectify the same is the compulsion of judicial conscience. The Supreme Court rightly deleted its directions barring a judge from handling criminal cases, following the CJI’s intervention. The apex court reiterated the importance of judicial accountability and institutional integrity. A judge must enjoy a good reputation for probity. According to eminent Irish jurist Eugen Ehrlich, “There is no guarantee of justice except the personality of the judge”. A judge’s character ultimately determines the quality of justice dispensed. If any judge lacks attributes like legal acumen, honesty, commitment and fairness, public trust in the judicial system gets eroded.

Anil Bhatia, Hisar

Prevent exploitation of masses

Refer to ‘Wake-up call’; RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has raised relevant issues pertaining to healthcare and education. Both issues are directly related to the welfare of the common man. Parents are compelled to arrange a huge amount of money to send their child even to a playway school, leave aside higher education. Similarly, in the medical profession, less-qualified doctors can be seen exploiting unsuspecting patients. When a patient’s condition deteriorates, private hospitals refer him/her to a government hospital. The ministries concerned should take necessary steps to prevent exploitation of the middle class.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Ways to circumvent high tariffs

India should tread the path of tariffs judiciously and carefully and not succumb to US pressure at all. New Delhi should increase the tariffs on the goods much needed and desired in the US, like finished pharmaceutical products (tablets, injectables and syrups), active pharmaceutical ingredients; electronics and information & communication technology goods; energy products such as crude oil, natural and refined fuels, coal, etc. There should be a cap on the quantities to be exported to the US. Exporters should be given subsidies. New suitable markets must be explored.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Asim Munir’s N-threat

The nuclear threat by Field Marshal Asim Munir during a visit to the US cannot be ignored as the usual hyperbole of a Pakistani military leader. The script must have been duly endorsed by the US administration and President Donald Trump. The global community must take a serious note and seek an explanation. The UN must intervene to ensure the safety and security of its member nation states and disarm Pakistan to avert the persistent threat to humanity. The IAEA must ensure the control of all nuclear energy sites in Pakistan and initiate their neutralisation if they are meant for mass destruction.

Jai Prakash Gupta, Ambala

Balancing act needed

The Supreme Court’s directive for the immediate relocation of stray dogs to shelters has sparked a national debate seeking a balancing of public safety concerns with animal welfare. The court’s direction must not be misused to justify animal cruelty or mass culling. While loss of human lives accruing from rising incidents of rabies cannot be overlooked, the implementation of the judicial order is crucial. The ruling places a huge responsibility on municipal bodies to create adequate and hygienic shelter facilities for dogs. Animal shelters become mere dumping grounds if proper funding, trained staff, vaccination programmes and adoption drives do not accompany their relocation. Stray animals are a result of human negligence, and not enemies to be subjugated.

Baani Bhabha, Ambala

Chola rulers denigrated

Refer to ‘What the PM didn’t say about Cholas’; the Chola rulers have been denigrated by the writer. That the imperial Chola forces “killed, raped, and plundered” on their way to get holy water from the Ganga is questionable. Rajendra Chola is one of the greatest rulers India ever had. I do not say this out of linguistic solidarity; I have studied this period in Indian history deeply. Dragging the Cholas into a contemporary political reference is uncalled for.

Shyamala B Cowsik, Pune