Promote rational thinking

Apropos of ‘Terrorism rooted in rancour, distrust’; the challenge of radicalisation cannot be met by policing alone. Schools, colleges and professional institutions must strengthen value education, critical thinking and scientific temper so that young people learn to question dangerous ideas instead of absorbing them silently. Families and colleagues should take note of sudden behavioural changes and offer timely intervention. If society promotes rational thinking and discourages all forms of blind ideology, this rising threat can be contained before it damages the nation further.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar

PU needs good governance

Refer to ‘Punjab must defend its stake in PU’; governing a university is not a matter of political indulgence. The sole objective should be to strengthen the quality of higher education and research. A modern university requires governance systems that are transparent, responsive and academically driven. Revisiting the size, composition and functioning of the Senate is essential for improving academic standards and meeting global benchmarks. The Panjab University has a rich legacy. Ensuring excellence in governance will help the institution serve students, faculty and society better.

Harjinder Singh Thandi, Mohali

SC chooses constitutional elasticity

With reference to ‘Can’t fix timelines for grant of assent to Bills by Guv, Prez: SC’; the verdict is a harmonious restoration of the separation of powers. By declining to fix rigid timelines for the Governor’s assent, the apex court has chosen constitutional elasticity over judicial overreach. The rejection of “deemed assent” rightfully prevents the judiciary from usurping executive roles. The judgment strikes the right chord of federalism: Governors cannot use silence as a weapon. The court clarified that discretion is not a licence for perpetuity. By mandating that withheld Bills must be returned to the House, the SC ensured that the legislative voice isn’t stifled by gubernatorial veto power. This verdict walks a tightrope with grace — respecting the dignity of high office while reminding its occupants that in a democracy, constitutional duty cannot be ignored forever.

Gaganpreet singh, Mohali

SC reversing own judgment

With reference to ‘SC’s U-turn’; prior environmental clearance is mandatory before any project or industrial activity is started. Courts have repeatedly ruled that allowing projects to start without approval and regularising them later defeats the very purpose of environmental assessment. However, the Ministry of Environment provided a leeway for retrospective approvals but all notifications were struck down by the apex court in its May 2025 Vanashakti judgment. Now, a SC Bench has reversed its own judgment opening a way for ex post facto approvals. In a way, it is like rewarding violators at the cost of law abiders. The relaxation should be given only to public welfare projects like hospitals and educational institutes. Industrial, mining or other polluting units that cause irreparable harm to the environment need not be shown any mercy.

KR Bharti, Shimla

Exceptions in environment rules

Refer to ‘SC's U-turn’; the reversal of the Vanashakti verdict is detrimental for ecology. A clean environment is one of the most important essentials of human life. In an earlier ruling, the SC had said that ‘the grant of an environmental clearance cannot be taken for granted and as a mechanical exercise’. Developments in the past decades have underscored the need to carve out exceptions to environmental norms, e.g. in projects involving national security, or when an underserved area requires a healthcare facility or when a highway becomes a necessity to improve connectivity to remote areas.

Mona Singh, Amritsar

No job creation in two decades

Apropos of ‘Nitish’s new innings’; Bihari voters have once again expressed faith in Nitish Kumar’s leadership. Unemployment and migration did not reduce during his around two decades of rule. With hardly any sign of improvement in employment and increase in per capita income, people have still elected the same government to power. Time only will reveal the reason. The blame of 'vote chori' to elect double engine government by the opposition parties may get proved right in the due course of time.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd), Mohali