Open up the gates, Milords!

It is time our legal set-up emulated some of the Covid-19 warriors such as doctors, paramedical staff, police and other paramilitary forces, Army, and now, even the entire government officialdom. Doctors and the police have been performing duties since March, in much more challenging and perilous conditions, yet we have not seen any report from any quarters, where they may have refused to work. Of course, the physical working of courts entails its own peculiar risks, but new data shows that the case fatality rate in India is 2.8%, among the lowest in the world. It makes a strong case for resuming normal functioning of all courts, at least in this part of the country. Conversely, if we continue to shut the court rooms for a long period of time, and continue with video-conferencing for ‘extremely urgent’ cases only, the arrears of pending cases, already a mountain, will climb to unmanageable proportions. Moreover, whenever we open the courts, let’s say after one year, even then the probability of catching the virus by some of us will not be zero. The judicial process must march on, resolutely, for there are thousands waiting patiently for years to find justice at last. The courts are called ‘temples of justice’, which even an atheist is happy to visit! Therefore, your Lordships, please open up the gates and let us once again see this temple of justice function in its full glory.

Sudeep Mahajan, ex-AAG, Haryana

Think it through

Refer to the editorial ‘Reopening schools’ (June 5); according to a UNESCO report, over 154 crore students have been affected in 190 countries due to the closure of schools. Many schools across India have shifted to online teaching as the Ministry of HRD has asked them to complete the academic year through online classes. Access to digital resources in the hinterland is low and children in these areas are at a clear disadvantage. Even if the schools are reopened, it will demand new seating plans and bigger classrooms to maintain social distancing.

Kamaldeep Kaur, Zirakpur

Time not ripe yet

Apropos of ‘Reopening schools’ (June 5); time is not yet ripe for opening educational institutions as Covid cases are still on rise. Parents, teachers and students are worried about the loss of studies and their future. Children are fed up of being confined to their homes with no outing, interaction and physical activity. With the healthcare infrastructure already under tremendous stress and a vaccine still not in sight, opening educational institutions will be suicidal.

Gp Captain JS Boparai, Bhadsali

Jumbo’s death

Apropos of ‘We will investigate Kerala jumbo’s death: Javadekar’ (June 5), it was heart-wrenching to know about the horrific death of a pregnant elephant after eating a pineapple filled with firecrackers. One wonders what makes human beings commit such cruel acts against animals. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in the country, but more effort is needed on the awareness front. The guilty must be brought to book. It is an act of utter insensitivity which should be condemned.

Tushar Anand, Patna

The other side of doctors

Refer to the editorial ‘Ailing healthcare’ (June 5); if Covid-19 showed us the courage of our doctors, it also showed the sordid picture of doctors refusing treatment to patients, reluctance to work in the rural sector and aiming more for private hospitals rather than public. Thus, setting up more and more medical colleges and ensuring a higher level of medical education won’t result in affordability and availability of medical officers. The government must do more than just providing for infrastructure to tap medical talent.

Divya Singla, by mail

An endless struggle

Martin Luther King Jr, who led the civil rights movement in the US, is one of the iconic figures to speak up against racism and the atrocities on the blacks. His ‘I have a dream’ speech shows the way. However, it’s unfortunate to see that his dream still remains unfulfilled. The recent events in Minneapolis serve as a reminder how much progress is still needed to fight racism.

Saloni Kohli, Gurdaspur

Iconic film director

It has been an extraordinary time for Indian cinema with the deaths of iconic actors Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor, music director Sajid Khan, lyricist Yogesh and now the legendary director Basu Chatterjee. The feeling of grief among cinema lovers will not go away soon. He worked with mid-level artists bringing out complex emotions of the struggling Indian middle class With his demise, the film industry in India has lost one of its most affectionate chroniclers who was responsible for crafting an alternative cinema.

Ramesh G Jethwani, by mail

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