Pakistan toes American line

Apropos of ‘Trump stirs the South Asian pot’ (The Great Game); why Pakistan was able to trump the India story is not difficult to understand. It is clear that whichever country toes the American line finds favour with it. Pakistan is taking full advantage of its geostrategic location. With China and the US wooing our western neighbour, it is surely the great game which is being played in South Asia between two determined rivals. A “vassal state” of China, Pakistan is being lured by the US with attractive offers. Is India ready to ape its belligerent neighbour? President Trump, in any case, is on a mission to promote his business interests and fulfil his Make America Great Again (MAGA) goal.

GS Anand, Panchkula

Pakistan falling in US trap

Refer to ‘Trump stirs the South Asian pot’; there is no need to feel offended by Donald Trump’s ‘dead economy’ remark. India is the world’s fastest-growing economy. If the US President still thinks that the Indian economy is ‘dead’, it is not our fault. Pakistan’s clamour for a Nobel Peace Prize for Trump is sheer foolishness. Our neighbour is not ready to see through the clever games of Trump, who is bent on making deals with different countries. New Delhi needs to tread judiciously — it should neither fall into Trump’s tariff trap nor feel offended by his remarks and actions.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Trump’s tantrums continue

There seems to be no end in sight to Trump’s bullying tactics and unpredictable behaviour. One moment he describes India’s economy as dead, the very next day he says that trade talks are still on and results will soon be seen. He hasn’t yet cleared the air on the imposition of penalty in addition to the 25 per cent tariffs. Trump is keen on a deal with India, but he doesn’t want to exhibit his keenness. Russia has been a tried-and-tested friend for decades. During Operation Sindoor, it was Russian S-400s, and not US Patriots, which destroyed Pakistan missiles and drones. India must choose its allies very carefully.

SK Singh, by mail

Crisis of justice

The verdict in the Malegaon blast case signals a crisis of justice both for the accused and the victims. Fourteen persons were arrested in connection with the case, but only seven faced trial. In a span of just 10 days, two of India’s most significant bomb blast cases have ended in acquittal. On July 21, the Bombay High Court had acquitted all 12 persons who had been held guilty of involvement in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts that killed 187 people. The ground of acquittal is similar: the prosecution had “utterly failed” to prove the charges. The verdicts reflect denial of justice both for the wrongfully punished and the victims who continue to wait for closure. This raises serious questions about flawed investigations, justice delivery system and anti-terror jurisprudence.

Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar

When cops violate the law

A retired SSP is among the five Punjab policemen convicted in a 32-year-old fake encounter case. It is unfortunate when uniformed men, who should inspire confidence and trust in the public, turn tormentors and killers. The rule of law is the governing ideal of our legal system and it exhorts that no one is above the law. If the officers who are duty-bound to protect citizens take the law in their own hands, whom shall the common citizen approach to seek protection and refuge? The wheels of justice must move fast to send a convincing message to society that the law reigns supreme.

Sunil Kumar, Phagwara

Misuse of people’s vote

Apropos of ‘Defective law’; there is an urgent need to strengthen the anti-defection law. When legislators switch parties without resigning, they betray the people’s trust. The mandate is for the individual who is aligned with a particular political party, not for opportunistic politics. The law must mandate immediate disqualification upon defection, with compulsory re-election. This would deter horse-trading and restore faith in democracy. The Speaker’s decisions must be time-bound and impartial. Until then, the public will keep watching helplessly their vote being misused for personal gains.

Naresh Kumar Nijhawan, Karnal