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MERCHANTS OF VIOLENCE

The mayhem in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi by followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh reflects their total disregard for the law. Such godmen create a huge following through education and welfare schemes for the deprived sections of society disenchanted with the apathetic government. Punjab and Haryana are dotted with such deras and some of their chiefs are even important members of political parties. These self-styled dera gurus will continue to thrive and throw their weight around till the governments stops ignoring their illegal activities for the sake of their own electoral interests. Tarsem Singh, Mahilpur

II

The widespread violence after verdict in the Gurmeet Ram Rahim rape trial has exposed the nexus between deras and politicians. How could such a large crowd gather in Panchkula despite imposition of Section 144? These “desh premi” politicians are least concerned about the nation and security of its people. Bureaucracy and police also play into the hands of their political bosses, disregarding the court instructions. The Khattar government has completely failed in protecting the state’s people. SS Saacha, SAS Nagar

III

Men, women and children are sleeping on roads for a rape convict who they revere as god. Will they ever do this for the country? If India has to develop, people need to wake up. These self-proclaimed godmen won’t help the country progress. By worshipping such babas, people are just filling their coffers. Abhinav Grover, Amritsar

IV

The Haryana government was again caught napping. Police have shown its incompetence in handling such situations. It is sad that the army has to be repeatedly called in to deal with internal disturbances. Either there was complete failure of the state’s intelligence or its inputs were deliberately ignored. The chief minister, the home minister and the DGP should resign or be asked to do so. By ordering the attachment of properties, the courts are doing what the administration should have done. Liquid assets of the dera should be attached to give compensation to those hit by the violence.

Niranjan Walia, Jalandhar

V

It is shocking that the Haryana government failed to enforce Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), leading to mayhem in Panchkula and elsewhere. The Khattar government gave primacy to its political compulsions than following the rule of the law. Had the government acted in time, the situation will not have turned so violent.

Ketan Kumar, Jalandhar

VI

Vote bank politics and lust for power means that our politicians are usually unable to handle sensitive situations like the one that erupted in Panchkula on Friday. Yet, the judiciary has again proved that there is still some strength and viability of our public life. The Punjab and Haryana high court has acted boldly and also enhanced the reputation of the judiciary by its order that Dera Sacha Sauda will compensate for all the destruction that his followers caused in Panchkula on Friday. Ranbir Singh Pannu, Amritsar

MERGER OF PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS PROMISING

The proposed consolidation of public sector banks might help in leveraging the synergies among the highly diversified portfolios of banks. Another likely benefit can be compressed transaction costs in addition to the geographical diversification and penetration into new markets. Yet, the inherent strength of individual banks and the concerns of employees must be taken care of while chalking out this mammoth exercise that the NDA dispensation must not rush through. A specified time frame must be there to make it a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

Akash Kumar, Jagraon

CONG FACES BIGGEST EXISTENTIAL CRISIS

The Congress is facing the biggest crisis since it came into existence. Leadership crisis, lack of ideology and no innovative or substantial agenda has made the party lose the common man’s faith. The party seems incapable of providing substitute for the BJP’s strong leadership and organisational skills at ground level. Jairam Ramesh’s recent revelation has indicated that the party veterans are now sincerely concerned about the spate of defeats in assembly elections after 2014 general elections. Even the combined opposition appears incumbent to pose any serious challenge to the resurgent BJP. Raising traditional, irrelevant issues, populist measures, and minority appeasement will only lead to self-destruction. Karan Singh Vinayak, Chandigarh