Apropos of ‘Congress scores another own goal’; the ‘banian’ protest by the Indian Youth Congress workers violated the decorum of an important global event in which representatives from over 80 countries participated. Such a demonstration suggests a lack of political discipline. Transforming the role of the Opposition from obstruction to being constructive and offering policy alternatives can effectively contribute to nation-building. A strong and principled opposition upholding national interest by cooperating on crucial matters of security, unity and integrity above narrow partisan gains can protect against authoritarian drift and help prevent the collapse of democratic institutions.
Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh
Congress calling BJP’s bluff
With reference to ‘Congress scores another own goal’; the narrative pushed by a subservient media that the IYC protest at the AI summit in Delhi was a blunder reeks of bias. Isn’t showcasing a Chinese robot dog at an AI Summit a bigger blunder? What about filing fake cases against opposition CMs? Shirtless demonstration is a form of defiance and cannot be labelled as ‘anti-democracy’. The Congress and Rahul are calling the BJP’s bluff, and the media is playing defence for the ruling party. PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat gets prime time, while Opposition’s responses are barely reported. When will the media stop being the BJP’s PR wing? The Congress is batting well; it’s the BJP that’s on the back foot.
Capt Amar Jeet (Retd), Kharar
CBI’s image dented
Apropos of ‘Breather for AAP’; the trial court’s exoneration of former Delhi CM, his deputy along with 21 others in the excise policy case has put the CBI in the dock. Allegations of corruption against the AAP top brass lead to the toppling of the Kejriwal government in Delhi, where the BJP desperately wanted to make a comeback after 26 long years. Over-activism by the CBI in trumping up charges against the AAP leadership has dented the reputation of the premier investigation agency. How will the irreparable damage to AAP leaders be mitigated?
Deepak Kaushik, Kurukshetra
Trade not the only panacea
Refer to ‘Trade corridors can rebuild Punjab’; economist W Arthur Lewis considered trade as the ‘engine of growth’. Experience from the developed world advocates the building of domestic economy on priority basis before plugging to international trade channels. Therefore, trade is not the panacea for revival of a disturbed economy like Punjab. Amidst the present economic crisis in the state, the diversified farm sector along with medium scale non-farm sector should be strategically linked with international trade. No doubt, a vibrant agricultural infrastructure came into existence thanks to the Green Revolution, but the state failed badly to turn agricultural surplus into trade-driven industrial sector.
Jaskaran Singh Gill, Phagwara
Mockery of justice
Apropos of ‘Punjab’s 30,000 undertrials & the case for reform’; the article is the grievous truth of thousands of prisoners who are languishing in jails without facing trial. It represents a mockery of justice for the undertrial prisoners. The government, on the one side, gives a chance to hardcore criminals to surrender before law-enforcing agencies as done in Chhattisgarh, whereas thousands of prisoners are languishing in jails without trial in Punjab. Most of the prisoners have no financial resources to fight their cases and everybody knows that it takes years for the falsely accused to prove their innocence.
Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana
Oppn parties must come together
Refer to ‘Cong questions Kejriwal clean chit timing, alleges AAP-BJP collusion’; while every imaginable thing is possible in today’s politics, the AAP and Congress, by indulging in slugfest, are ensuring a smooth path for the BJP, which is already on a political rampage. The INDI alliance will be further weakened by giving such misleading statements. Until all parties contain their own ambitions to cement their bloc, the BJP juggernaut cannot be stopped in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat — wherever elections are to be held shortly.
Hira Sharma, by mail
