letterstoeditor

NEED FULLTIME DEFENCE MINISTER

The mutilation of the bodies of two of our soldiers by Pakistani forces is condemnable. The ministry of defence, which is critically involved in securing the borders, is being run on ad-hoc basis. A full-time defence minister who can concentrate on policy decisions is the need of the hour. Wg Cdr JS Bhalla (retd)

II

In the wake of Pakistan’s unpardonable crime of mutilating bodies of two of our soldiers, defence minister Arun Jaitley’s statement that the army will retaliate and teach Pakistan a lesson was expected. It is baffling that at a time when tensions have escalated on the border, a full-time defence minister is missing. Is there no capable BJP MP who can head the ministry?

Tarsem Singh, Mahilpur

TIT FOR TAT

The government should understand that the issue of Jammu & Kashmir has to be dealt with a multi-pronged approach. Cordial diplomatic relations are important, but in the present scenario, it needs to take a back seat. We continue to honour the Indus Water Treaty despite Pakistan’s barbaric actions. India should immediately stop water flow to Pakistan. This tit for tat policy may knock some sense into Pakistan. It is high time that we withdraw the most-favoured nation status to Pakistan. We should treat them in the manner they deserve and language they understand. Col JS Chandoak (retd), Chandigarh

II

The pain that martyred soldier Naib Subedar Paramjit Singh’s family has to suffer is unimaginable. On the other hand, the Prime Minister chose to visit Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth in Dehradun rather than Constable Prem Sagar’s house in UP. For how long will our soldiers pay for inaction on part of the government, which is not allowing the soldiers to give a befitting reply to Pakistan? Certain people fear that in case an attacking stance is adopted by India, Pakistan may use the nuclear option, which is cowardice on their part. Capt Amar Jeet Kumar, SAS Nagar

III

The act of mutilating of bodies of our soldiers is being repeated by Pakistan without any strong reaction from the Indian side. It seems Pakistan knows that Indian leadership is capable of only verbal attacks. The politicians are more interested in consolidating their votes than to give a befitting reply to cowardly acts of Pakistani forces.

SS Saacha, SAS Nagar

ORDER INQUIRY

BJP MP from Gujarat KC Patel has alleged that he was honeytrapped by a Supreme Court lawyer, who blackmailed him. Keeping in mind actions of the MP, it doesn’t seem he deserves to be a law maker. A high-level inquiry should be conducted to get to the bottom of truth. The guilty, irrespective of being powerful and influential, must be brought to justice. Satwant Kaur, Mahilpur

NO QUOTA PLEASE

The case of Justice Karnan should force the politicians to reconsider the policy of castebased reservations. Sacrificing merit for vote-bank politics has wreaked havoc. People from lower castes should be provided with all facilities and be given a level-playing field. The competition should solely be based on merit. Only meritorious should be allowed to hold the positions of responsibility. Caste-based reservation policy is against the principle of equality, guaranteed by our Constitution.

AK Sharma, Chandigarh

AUTHENTICITY OF EVMS

The Election Commission of India shouldn’t waste its time and energy to assure politicians about the EVMs being foolproof from tampering or hacking. 10 EVMs should be collected from different areas in all the states. 10 persons from engineering, academic, judiciary, business, background should be called to prove that the EVMs are faulty. This exercise will silence those who indulge in blame game. Jagdish Singh Jassal, Panchkula

ABSURD AADHAR

This is with reference to the report, ‘Not just drought, Aadhar a worry for Karnataka dairy farmers’ (HT, May 3). It is unfair to put the condition of Aadhar card to get subsidised fodder for hunger-stricken animals in drought-hit areas. The government is failing in its duty. People should donate money to make arrangements for the supply of fodder in drought-hit areas. Animal welfare bodies could generate funds too. Everything can’t be left only to the government to do. Dr Soshil Rattan, Amritsar

CONSISTENT WORK

The Haryana government appears to be serious to ensure qualitative development in school education. It is all set to start a pilot project in 100 schools where Class-1 students will be keeping their bags and books in a pigeonhole alloted to them. However, teacher preparedness, introduction of special pedagogical methodology, establishing strong relationship with students and parents and soliciting assistance of the stakeholders are some of the key concerns. The government should not work in patches as it does more harm than good. Dr S Kumar, Panchkula

COMMENDABLE COPS

The national media has made Jammu and Kashmir Police the Rahul Dravid of security forces. The Jammu and Kashmir Police is an underestimated force for its personnel are the bravest of all police forces in the country. It is performing normal policing while fighting terrorists. Whoever dies in the line of duty is a martyr, be it from the armed forces, paramilitary forces or state police. The Kulgam cops killed in the line of duty should be commemorated as martyrs. Akshay Parihar, Doda