Opposition unity

‘Churning within Oppn’ and ‘Congress leadership not right of one individual: Kishor targets Rahul’ call attention to the fact that Opposition unity is the need of the hour, but the Congress will have to shed the self-illusion that it is born to lead. It should not rest on its past laurels, and must give due space and recognition to the regional satraps. Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar and other political bigwigs can play a dominant role in presenting a stronger and more effective alternative to Modi in the 2024 General Election. But all involved will have to overcome their narrow and short-term gains that can jeopardise our democracy. It is the wish of every awakened Indian.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

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Congress key player

Mamata Banerjee is digging her own political grave by going around for a united front by ignoring the Congress to fight the BJP. Regional parties have no power to fight national parties, which have a grassroots base in every state. She should keep her ego aside, as the Congress is the only national party which can fight, and is an alternative to the BJP.

Bhagwan Thadani, Mumbai

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We let down PoWs

Apropos of ‘Untraced PoWs remain a tale of neglect, apathy’, no words can explain the distress and pain of the families of these unfortunate soldiers who have been left to fend for themselves in miserable conditions and at the mercy of the enemy by successive governments. Every year the nation celebrates the heroic acts of our soldiers to appropriate their legacy, but does anybody feel the ordeal of these soldiers and their families? It only indicates indifference towards a grave human rights predicament, wherein this sensitive issue has not been followed to its logical conclusion. Did we not fail to leverage a very favourable situation after the 1971 War? Why and how we as a nation forgot these soldiers?

GP CAPT JS BOPARAI (RETD), BHADSALI

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Sirsa on wrong side

It is strange that Manjinder Singh Sirsa, former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee, who was vocal for Sikh cause and the farmers’ agitation, and recently lodged a complaint in Mumbai against Kangana Ranaut’s statements, has suddenly switched over to the BJP. He now describes the BJP as a party which thinks about the welfare of the Sikhs. His act has betrayed the Sikh sangat and forces one to think about the degradation of our political and religious leaders. Sukhbir Badal and the jathedar of Akal Takht claim that Sirsa joined the BJP under pressure from the Centre. This excuse is not acceptable.

Sukhdev Singh Minhas, Mohali

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Make up mind

One man thinks, three laws are passed by both Houses and the President gives his approval. A lot of agitation happens. Again, the same man thinks otherwise, the same laws are reversed, approved by both Houses and the President relents. Are the members of Parliament there only to raise hands? Are they not supposed to apply their mind? Who is accountable for the loss of hundreds of lives and the loss of crores of rupees as revenue and indefinite man-days? Is it a one-man democracy?

SS Bhathal, Ludhiana

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Adjourn sine die

After passing the Bill on the repeal of the farm laws, no serious business is taking place in Parliament. The Opposition has boycotted the Rajya Sabha, which is being repeatedly adjourned. Only few members are seen in the Lok Sabha and the discussions are drab and unimportant. It appears that both the Government and the Opposition are not interested in the functioning of Parliament, hence it is best to adjourn sine die the Houses to save public money.

O Prasada Rao, by mail

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Not this green

This refers to ‘Green tax on electric vehicles opposed’. The HP Government must remove the green tax on the purchase of electric vehicles as it is against the policy of the Union government. Also, this will lead to low sales of these vehicles. The state government must ensure proper infrastructure development for these vehicles as there are no charging points at petrol stations of the state. The transport department must initiate immediate action.

Ritish Pandit, Sunhet

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Judicial propriety

Refer to ‘HC cracks whip on lower judiciary, 2 judges retired’; the decision will send a message of zero tolerance to subordinate judiciary which will also curb corruption, indiscipline, complacency and other factors. The common people consider courts as temples of justice. This decision will boost the confidence of the people of both Punjab and Haryana to get justice from the judiciary. It is very important to maintain this trust.

Shakti Singh, Karnal

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