Religion and politics

Refer to the editorial ‘Politics and spirituality’ (Aug 4); politics and religion have remained connected to each other for decades. Any event, be it a foundation ceremony or riots, related to any religious place is used by politicians for their vested interests. Nobody is interested in the principles of religion. It is said religion is regarded by common people as true, by wise as false and by rulers as useful. What about social distancing, which is necessary as a preventive measure for the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, during these ceremonies?

Vikramjit Singh, Amritsar

Not much of an issue

Refer to the editorial ‘Politics and spirituality’; the timing of the ground-breaking ceremony has been blown out of proportion. A large chunk of population is indifferent to the anniversary of the abolition of Article 370 and even the construction of the temple, when they do not know what is in store for them the next morning in terms of physical, mental and economic wellbeing. For all practical purposes, this has given enough fodder to the news channels to dissect the issue, other than Covid. People ought to heave a sigh of relief that these two burning and contentious issues shall be history, and hopefully the government shall get down to serious business which shall bring development and prosperity to the country.

Deepak Singhal, Chennai

Mind Delhi, Mr Kejriwal

Punjab toll due to spurious liquor is painful and definitely the state police are accountable. Remarks of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal that ‘so many people have died and all you are interested in is political meat from the incident’ is uncalled for (‘Capt lashes out at Kejriwal over CBI probe demand’, Aug 3). Kejriwal should mind his own business and look after Delhi instead of interfering in affairs of other states. He should not forget that many lapses have taken place in his state where the people have suffered badly. He should set his own house in order.

OP GARG, PATIALA

Get to bottom of it

Apropos of ‘Punjab govt in the dock’ (Aug 3), the hooch tragedy has unmasked the glaring inadequacies in the state apparatus. Passing the buck would tantamount to trivialising the tragedy. It is time to wake up to this grim reality. The ostensibly complicit political dispensation should come out of its slumber and order an independent inquiry by a sitting HC judge. Undoubtedly, the excise department has a fair share of the blame but a more pernicious aspect relates to the nexus between politicians and the police. The emergence of such a spectre in a small district like Tarn Taran reveals that the civil and police administration cannot be oblivious to this operation. Let’s hope that this tragedy serves as an eye-opener.

Sukhman, Chandigarh

Education mattered then

Refer to ‘The heyday of govt schools’; those were the golden days when holistic development of students of government schools was cared for. Now, the attention has shifted to ‘opulent’ schools rather than teaching methodologies, resulting in the degradation of quality education and widening of the gap between private and government schools. Efforts made to cover this gap are hailed. Revival in the education system can be brought about by diminishing the divide as well as restoring dedication and quality.

Deepti garg, by mail

Colleges alone won’t help

Refer to ‘11 new colleges to be opened soon’ (Aug 4); instead of opening new colleges on political and extraneous considerations, the Haryana Government should try to streamline the administration of existing colleges, both government and non-government. They are violating the mandatory provisions of Haryana Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service) Act 1979 and rules of 2006 framed there under in the matter of the constitution of college governing body, method of recruitment and service conditions of teachers. The higher education department has failed to take action. BEd and engineering colleges are already on the verge of closure due to poor quality of education and teaching. Degree colleges shall also fall in line soon. It is no longer realistic to relate job opportunities to our devalued university degrees. No knowledgeable employer these days reckons a university degree at its face value.

Anil Bhatia, Hisar

Incomplete project

An irrigation project was awarded to a company in 2014 under PMKSY at Nadaun in Hamirpur. Six years have elapsed, but even Phase 1 of the project is yet to see the light of day (‘Minister for time-bound completion of works’, Aug 3). This has resulted in cost escalation and has deprived the youth of job opportunities. Timely execution will ensure livelihood to the needy in the command area that envisages to cover about 3,000 hectares.

NK Pathania, Hamirpur

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