letterstoeditor

RAM MANDIR: LET’S GO FOR THIRD SOLUTION

Supreme Court’ s directive togo for an out-of-court settlement on the Ayodhya issue is a positive step in finding an amicable way to the tricky issue, but unfortunately, the effort seems improbable on account of contrasting stands of Hindu and Muslim communities. To debate whether there be a mosque or a temple at the site is futile as it may widen the chasm between the two religious groups. It will be far better to negotiate a third unprecedented solution by setting up a facility for the large public good, such as school, college, old age home or an orphan ge. Upant Sharma, Panchkula

II

The Supreme Court’s opinion for a compromise formula on the Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir issue should be welcomed. The speakers from both communities at a debate on a TV channel were keen on an amicable solution. They admitted that leaders like Subramanian Swamy and Asaduddin Owaisi were misleading the people and not allowing a compromise formula to come up. Common people from either faction want peace. Manjeet Singh Ishar, SAS Nagar

CBSE REVISES EXAM STRUCTURE

The CBSE is bringing out the revised examination structure for Class 10 from the 2017-18 academic session. The board has decided to follow up this system from Class 6 till 9th standard. Students have become complacent due to the no-detention policy and tend to take exams lightly. The new format could change that. Gauri Kalra

HIGH TIME FOR DEBT WAIVER

Apropos the news report, ‘Farm debt, Capt calls on PM’, (HT, March 23). The state govt had legislated ‘Punjab Settlement of Agricultural Indebtedness Act 2016’ in March last and nothing vegetative came out of it. The peasantry asks why ‘The Punjab Relief of Indebtedness Act 1934’, succeeded and why the latest legislation has remained a paper tiger. Captain should not procrastinate this time by throwing the ball in the Centre’s court. Ravnit Kaur Bajwa, Hoshiarpur

CLIPPING THE VIP WINGS

One of the most welcoming steps taken by the Punjab govt is to rid the state of the pompous VIP culture. The security of politicians has been cut. If the politicians feel unsafe, they should arrange it on their own. The menace of VIP culture is deep-rooted in India, so much so that even a councillor or a panchayat member considers himself or herself above the common man. Zaibby Mann, Dhuri NANAKSHAHI CALENDAR Over a decade back a Nanakshahi calendar in line with the widely accepted Christian calendar was released after a great research. But after the SAD took over, the BJP prevailed upon the Badals to follow Hindu Bikrami lunar calendar in the disguise of a revised Nanakshahi calendar. Under the Bikrami calendar, Guru Gobind Singh’s birth falls twice in a year and is just missing in the next year. Can we hope for one more and last amendment by the SGPC since now there is no shadow of BJP over the out-of-power Badals, who control religious matters of Sikhs? Mona Singh

CONCERN FOR FARMERS

More than 3,000 farmer suicides have been witnessed in the past three years. The hailstorm and unseasonal rain has also affected the condition of the farmers severely. The nationwide farm loan-waiver plan is one hope given by the government to the indebted farmers. With the decline in the condition of the farmers, this should be done at the earliest. Rajabinda Bindra, Kharar

CHEMICAL OVERUSE

The formation of Special Task Force to curb drugs in Punjab is a welcome move. Another issue that needs to be taken care of is overuse of insecticides and pesticides, affecting the health of people as well as that of animals. The new government must limit the use of fertilisers and chemicals. There should be provision to ration fetilisers in proportion to the landholding. Navneet Seth, Dhuri

MODI AND HINDUTVA

The PM Modi-led BJP’s stupendous success in the UP assembly polls reflects his growing stature. However, it is imperative to highlight that apart from the development agenda, the Hindutva brand of politicking was largely exploited. The newly anointed CM of UP has his task cut out as he tries to bring about development and improve law and order as he goes on with his trademark vitriolic divisive rhetoric of Hindutva. Will the PM be able to rein-in this firebrand Hindu hardliner, only time will tell? Dr Amit Modgil, Ludhiana

HOPE FOR EMPLOYEES

Punjab government’s engaging an army of advisers and OSDs has given hope to the employees who are awaiting their arrears. Now, they think that government has no reason to call the state economy under stress and deny them their rightful dues. Hopefully, the exit of 6th Pay Commission chairman will not delay the release of salary arrears. The FM should be sympathetic towards employees. Deepak Kumar, Panchkula

DIGITAL INDIA PUSH

Digital India campaign has accelerated the growth and let the government serve the people in a better manner. It has brought the already globalised world closer. The campaign was started in 2015 and is fast reaching the distant corners of the country. Megha Kochhar, Mohali