Question Hour must

Refer to ‘No Question Hour in monsoon session’ (Sept 3); Question Hour is an integral part of a sitting session of the Lok Sabha, exclusively devoted to questions that MPs raise about any aspect of administrative activities of the government. The ministers concerned are duty bound to answer to Parliament either orally or in writing, depending on the nature of the questions. Questions raised are one of the ways by which Parliament can hold the executive accountable. The cancellation of Question Hour has generated resentment among Opposition MPs, because they see it as a ploy to muzzle their voice. It is a must for dynamic parliamentary democracy. Zero Hour cannot be a substitute, as it is held after Question Hour. Moreover, Question Hour is mentioned in the rule of procedure, Zero Hour is not.

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Tarsem S Bumrah, Batala

Violation of rights

Apropos of the editorial ‘Upholding civil rights’ (Sept 3), picking up anybody and putting them in jail, denying even bail, in the name of UAPA, scuttles the constitutional idea of freedom, equality, justice and law. Misuse of such draconian Acts to settle political scores is not a new thing in our country. It marks an authoritarian regime, which terrifies its citizens in the garb of peace and normalcy. The Blackstone’s ratio that it is better that 10 guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffers is no more a guiding principle with the police or politicians. Rather, the regime’s revengefulness is engulfing many innocent activists.

Abhimanyu Malik, Jind

Unfair detention

Refer to ‘Upholding civil rights’; the grounds for detention under the NSA provided nothing that indicated any attempt by Dr Khan to disturb peace. He was kept under detention in violation of his rights. Does it not threaten secularism? The administration is liable and must be held accountable.

Geeta Thakur, Shimla

Punjabi left out

Refer to ‘Hindi, Dogri among 5 official languages in J&K’ (Sept 3); it is strange that Punjabi is not being included as another official language, though most of the people there speak Punjabi. I visited Jammu to attend a conference on Indian languages organised by the National Translation Commission in January and found that a majority of Jammu residents were speaking in Punjabi. Dogri has since been considered as a dialect of Punjabi in Punjabi literature, but now if it has been considered as one of the Indian languages, the translation of books must also be discussed.

Vidwan Singh Soni, Patiala

PUBG ban a boon

The ban on PUBG was long awaited, and hence a good decision. The eighth most successful mobile game in the world, it had become a morbid obsession with both children and adults. The showcasing of violence and spending money lavishly to be a pro-player has been put to an end by this ban. This might hurt the players, but in the long run, it is only for their well-being!

Mandeep Kaur, Jalandhar

HAU entrance test

CCSHAU-Hisar has decided to hold the entrance test for PG courses in basic sciences on September 9. All state universities of Haryana are conducting final-year graduation exams from September 4, under special instructions from the UGC and the state government. Aspiring students will be deprived of a golden opportunity to appear in the HAU entrance test, owing to the clash of exams and admission counselling dates of the HAU. The authorities should look into the matter and postpone the PG entrance test to October, as has been done by Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Sayujya Sharma, Hisar

India high on innovation

Apropos of ‘Global Innovation Index’, gone are the days when India used to be known as a nation of snake-charmers. It is now making inroads into several significant domains. India’s position in the top 50 nations on the index bears testimony to the fact that it is leading in innovation also. It is hearting to acknowledge that India ranked first among Central and Southeast Asian countries. Compared to last year, India climbed four spots to reach 48 from 52. India is now the third-most innovative lower middle-income economy in the world.

Rahul Chouhan, by mail

Bravo, girl!

It was very satisfying and heartening to read the news report, ‘Dad toiled hard…’ (Sept 3). A 15-year-old girl bravely took on two snatchers and saved her mobile phone and herself. She fought resolutely. This should be a lesson to our youth, especially girls. Martial arts helped her. Let the winds of change blow. Girls should start taking self-defence classes.

Mohinder Singh, Patiala

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