Terrorism in J&K

As expected, there hasn’t been a significant improvement in curbing the acts of terrorism in J&K since its inception as the Union Territory, which may lower the morale of the security forces. The attack on an unguarded bus, leading to the death of three cops, is unfortunate and indicates lack of preparedness and intelligence inputs, that too on a significant day (20th anniversary of the Parliament attack), which security agencies seemed to have forgotten. Such acts are a serious blow to the peace process.

RS Kishtwaria, Palampur

Kashi corridor

Reference to ‘Raising poll pitch, Modi inaugurates Kashi Vishwanath corridor amid chants’, the project is admirable in its scale and in the apparent efficiency of implementation, as it was needed for a better pilgrimage experience. The visual spectacle that accompanied its inauguration, in the run-up to the UP elections, also proclaims the remarkable success of a political project. It is quite clear that by refreshing Hindutva with muscle power and such projects, redefining it in terms of nationalism and self-respect, the BJP is throwing down the gauntlet, steadily and purposefully. It needs to be picked up by the other side to make a tough political fight.

EL Singh, by email

State of Congress

Apropos of ‘Sidhu heads Punjab poll panel’, the formation of a mammoth poll panel is the height of the Congress high command’s indeterminate policy of appeasement. It is neither going to contain the maverick Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief nor bring around the other discontented leaders. Dilution of power hierarchy is no solution to power hunger. It is a sure way to self-destruction. To be a viable political party, the Congress high command will have to assert itself and put the state organisational structure in its proper place.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Row over Gogoi

Reference to ‘2 TMC MPs move privilege motion against ex-CJI Gogoi’, the TMC MPs have rightly submitted a notice to move a privilege motion against former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. The eligibility criteria for membership of the Upper House are different from that for the Lok Sabha, as more maturity is expected from members of the ‘House of Elders’. Such remarks lower the dignity of the House in the eyes of the public.

Upendra Sharma, by email

Booster shots

Indian genomics consortium conducting sequencing — INSACOG — has rightly recommended a booster dose for those over 40, first targeting the high-risk and high-exposure individuals against Omicron. This advice needs to be heeded by the government because there isn’t any vaccine supply problem. Obviously, jabbing the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated is the topmost priority. Every country that has mandated booster shots has done so on the basis of scientific advice. The same urgency should be shown by the Government of India too.

MS Khokhar, by email

Soldiers’ families

‘Tribute to a silent soldier’ is an aide-memoire for the common people about the sufferings of the family members of our brave soldiers, who are deployed at the borders or non-family stations. The hardships of scattered families, especially of jawans and officers, can best be appreciated only by those who suffer. Such families, at times, have to undergo traumatic suffering at the societal level. The government must own up responsibilit for them.

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Bank deposits

Apropos of the editorial ‘Safe deposits’, cooperative banks were formed with the objective of lending to the rural masses, but some of these indiscriminately lent to risky sectors such as real estate, jeopardising the savings of depositors and their trust. The RBI Governor’s note of caution to the public, though well-intentioned, is not practical. Depositors, especially senior citizens, invest their savings in the nearest bank, due to the convenience of operation. They expect the central bank to ensure that their deposits are safe and are repaid in full in the unforeseen event of a bank failure. A solution may be to provide unlimited DICG (Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee) cover on all bank deposits, with the premium borne by the banks concerned. Else, the government may witness the public shifting their deposits to safer avenues such as post offices.

V Jayaraman, Chennai

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