Show flexibility

Refer to ‘Pay heed to apex court’; the court’s suggestion to put on hold the implementation of farm laws may not cut ice with the protesters because of their position of all or nothing. The government would never repeal the laws, thereby setting a precedent which would make governance and bringing in new laws untenable. Farmer unions need to be flexible in their approach. Contentious clauses need to be resolved with checks and balances. With the possibility of protests getting infiltrated by vested interests, their act of inconveniencing the public by blocking vehicular movement might take away sympathy from their cause. The more they prolong the negotiations, the more the chances of their strength getting whittled down.

Ashok Goswami, New York

Middle path

Reference to the turbulent developments in the farmers’ stir over the past few weeks, it is clear that the need to adopt a middle path. The Centre must think wisely about the welfare of the section that forms the backbone of society. Braving the winter chill may affect the health of the farmers, many of whom are elderly. The farmers should also cooperate. The Centre must work towards proposing rational and quick amendments.

Anmol Kaur Mongia, Mohali

Undermining Parliament

With the recent decision of the Central government not to convene the winter session of Parliament, it seems the government is unwilling to listen to both the public and their representatives. It is ironical that in the world’s largest democracy, this representative system of governance itself is coming under pressure. All over the world, parliaments are functioning, whether it is the UK or Canada. But when public rallies are allowed, elections are allowed, every public system is working, not allowing Parliament to function is a sad moment in parliamentary democracy.

Jatinder Masoun, Ludhiana

Is democracy dying?

Owing to Covid-19, the session of Parliament ended in March. The monsoon session was cut short with some legislation passed hurriedly and the Question Hour being done away with. Now, there will be no winter session. Undoubtedly, the pandemic is still here and precautions are paramount. But there are many important issues such as Covid-19, security scenario, farmers’ agitation and the slowdown of economy which need to be discussed. Covid cannot be the pretext to not hold the session, as every activity where the BJP’s interest is involved is being held even without observing the SOPs. Undermining the legitimacy of institutions and norms across the board to confuse the public is a tactical move to undermine democracy.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

Strong message

Refer to ‘Two judges forced to retire, HC wields the stick’; the action against judicial officers has sent a strong message regarding zero tolerance against indiscipline, decency and other factors in the subordinate judiciary. People consider courts to be the temple of justice. They come to the courts in the hope that they will get justice. This decision has strengthened the trust of the people in the judicial system.

Shakti Singh, Karnal

Women’s safety

It has been eight years since the heinous Nirbhaya crime took place. The public came out to protest against rape and other crimes against women. There were amendments to laws and committees were formed to ensure the safety of women. Even after taking such strict action, there is no change in society. According to a report by the NCRB, the police registered 33,977 rape cases in 2018, and in 2019, there were 87 rapes in a day! The total cases registered in 2019 of crime against women were 4,05,861. I don’t think we are bringing a change with regard to the safety of women. There is not even a single place where they are safe.

Narsingh Chauhan, Chandigarh

Loan fraud

The news of Rs 525-crore fraud against a consortium of banks by two firms from Gujarat points to the time-honoured adage that if you get cheated again by the same agent, it is your fault! Several cases of frauds against banks come to fore time and again. Cases of doubtful collaterals, falsified books kept by borrowers and misutilisation of loans point to the fact that the banking system has neither learned neither from its mistakes nor from that of others. Ironical too is the observation that public sector banks are more vulnerable to frauds. The RBI should devise ways to insulate the banking system from loan scams and frauds.

Rakesh Sudan, Kurukshetra

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com