letters to editor
FIRING ON FARMERS
The death of five protesting farmers in police firing in Madhya Pradesh is unfortunate. In Kashmir, security forces remain mute spectators in front of stonepelting civilians, but they have no hesitation in opening fire on farmers. Circumstances leading to the police action should be thoroughly investigated and the guilty should be punished. Sukhdev Singh Minhas,
SAS Nagar
II
Tamil Nadu farmers protested fiercely in Delhi for more than a month and a half, Maharashtra farmers launched a statewide agitation a few days back, and now five farmers have died in police firing during a protest in MP. Elsewhere in India, reports of farmer suicides have become a regular feature, with Punjab leading at the moment. The government’s indifference towards those feeding us is appalling. Hardish Kaur Sandhu,
Amritsar
UK TERROR ATTACKS
Repeated terror attacks in the UK show how its policy of opening its doors to radicals from other countries has boomeranged. Decades earlier, Khalistani militants were offered asylum, and many Kashmiri and Pakistani radical elements have also been protected by the UK, in spite of India’s appeals for their extradition. It’s high time these so-called liberal and democratic countries have a second thought about offering asylum to fugitives from South Asia and Middle East. PS Kaur
ANTIROMEO SQUADS
Anti-Romeo squad goons carrying out moral policing to extortion in UP are none other than former members of chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s Hindu Yuva Vahini. They are executing what the Yogi has indoctrinated them with all these years. His elevation to the CM’s post has emboldened them to take law into their own hands. Now, as Adityanath cannot afford to treat them with kid gloves, he should either get rid of them or get ready to pay for their misdoings. Satwant Kaur, Mahilpur
RECIPE FOR DISASTER
Chandan Mitra’s piece ‘No alternative to the Salwa Judum’ (HT, June 7) is completely off the mark and a sure recipe for civil war. Maoist movement is the result of decades of repression, victimisation, injustice and deprivation of poor people. Unless the government strives to restore rule of law and democratic processes with efficient justice delivery system and development programmes, any crackdown will further push poor tribals onto the path of armed struggle. Dr Vitull K Gupta,
Bathinda
TRAFFIC HAZARD
Traffic jams have become a chronic ailment of all cities. Encroachments on roads and at public places are to blame for this problem. Municipal authorities are keeping mum owing to political considerations. Dr Ranbir Singh Pannu,
Amritsar
BEEF POLITICS
The BJP’s move to increase its footprint in the northeastern states seems to be coming to naught because of its opposition to beef consumption. Party leaders in Meghalaya are resigning in protest against the government’s notification for a ban on cattle trade for slaughter. Its leaders in Nagaland and Mizoram are also not happy with this law. Minorities in Goa, Kerala and other parts of the country are already up in arms over the beef ban. The BJP-led government at the Centre must keep diverse and pluralistic character of India in mind while formulating its policies. Tarsem Singh, Mahilpur
SANCTITY AT STAKE
The Golden Temple is considered to be the holiest of all Sikh shrines. It’s regrettable that for past many years its sanctity is put at stake on the Operation Bluestar anniversary. Radicals raise pro-Khalistan slogans and create ruckus inside the shrine. The SGPC remains a mute spectator. The Sikh sangat should condemn it. Sanjay Chawla, Amritsar
PUNJAB’S HERITAGE
Punjab cultural affairs minister Navjot Singh Sidhu calling the Virasat-e-Khalsa Heritage Centre a white elephant is uncalled for. The holistic purpose and importance of the project should be considered rather than focusing on which government undertook it. If such heritage sites are not appreciated in the state, where else will these come up? Lakhvinder Singh