Kamalesan’s case an aberration

With reference to ‘A chance for the Army to look within’; without properly reading a court judgment, most of us jump to a conclusion of our own making out of ignorance. The media has compounded Lt Samuel Kamalesan’s dismissal by its overenthusiastic interpretation. Since the days of the British Indian Army, military officers of all faiths have been participating in religious functions in their respective formations without demur. Giving a communal colour to an established practice is the worst disservice to the nation. Tampering with the Army’s age-old time-tested traditions and a knee-jerk reaction to an isolated aberration would only be counter-productive.

GS Anand, Panchkula

Follow Air Force/Navy model

Refer to ‘A chance for the Army to look within’; should the Army do away with the colonial-era practice that suited the British policy of divide and rule, of having regiments based on religion and caste? The writer points out that tomorrow there may be a demand to have a Yadav or Ahir regiment. Unlike the Army, the Air Force and the Navy do not have religious places like mandir or gurdwara within the unit premises. Should the Army follow the Air Force or Navy model? Coming to the case of Lt Samuel Kamalesan, though his act of disobedience is unpardonable, it has started a churning within the Army that will serve a long-term purpose.

Wg Cdr CL Sehgal (retd), Jalandhar

Working towards multipolarity

The renewed diplomatic engagement with Moscow carries significant geopolitical weight. The summit’s core agenda — boosting defence ties, insulating bilateral trade from external pressure and exploring cooperation in different fields — reflects India’s drive for strategic autonomy. Equally important are ongoing talks to address the widening trade deficit. As Western sanctions complicate global supply chains, India’s steady engagement with Russia reiterates its long-standing commitment to multipolarity.

Rukma Sharma, Jalandhar

Balance economy with ecology

Refer to ‘Relaxing Himachal’s land rule will risk ecology’; the article rightly echoes the ecological and sustainability concerns of Himachal. However, the argument for absolute rigidity in Section 118 overlooks the grim fiscal reality confronting the state. A calibrated relaxation of this provision is not a sellout but a survival strategy. A tightly regulated limited window for outsider investment in safer zones can offer much-needed revenue support. Linking such investments to green-impact fees and 70% local employment will further safeguard Himachal’s interests and ensure that development does not come at the cost of ecology.

Chanchal S Mann, Una

Why Sanchar Saathi rollback?

This is with reference to ‘App of discord’; the government’s failure to educate the Opposition on the benefits of Sanchar Saathi app and its pre-install facility in mobile phones seems to have downplayed its efforts to bolster cybersecurity. And the doubting Thomases highlighted their points effectively. Is it that by pressurising the ruling dispensation, the Opposition has deprived the citizens of protection against cyberfraud? If the app was actually in the interest of citizens, then a rollback was not warranted. Of late, the government has been taking decisions in a hurry that have to be subsequently withdrawn.

HMS NAGRA, Faridabad

Farmer made scapegoat

The Supreme Court has hit the nail on the head by rejecting the notion that a farmer is to be blamed for pollution in Delhi-NCR. Farmers burn the stubble out of compulsion, not choice. The ground reality is that after harvesting paddy, the farmer has little time left for sowing the next crop of wheat. Without costly machinery at his disposal for stubble management, he is left with no other alternative. Farmers are ready for crop diversification but are not sure if they will get the sufficient procurement price. This issue needs to be addressed by the governments.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar