EVIL PERSONIFIED

Beating up of an Air India staffer by Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad is condemnable and unpardonable. Legal action must be initiated against him for his barbaric attitude. When the power goes to one’s head, one becomes an evil personified, as has happened in the case of this reckless MP for whom travelling by economy class was below his dignity. Prime Minister Modi must get this episode thoroughly investigated and take measures to rein in such wayward leaders. Dr Deepak Kaushik,

Kurukshetra

II

Violating anyone is a criminal offence and accused should be dealt as per the law irrespective of his status. Being an MP doesn’t give a person the right to assault people for whatever reason. Our elected representatives are supposed to safeguard people’s rights and not to violate them. Beenish Qureshi, Jammu

III

Almost all Shiv Sena leaders are known for their firebrand attitude but MP Ravindra Gaikwad has crossed all limits by beating up an AI staffer. The parliamentary committee dealing with such issues must take a stern action against the erring parliamentarian. Arvinder Kaur, Mohali

IV

It was surprising to watch on TV Shiv Sena MP proudly owning that he did hit an Air India staffer with his sandal. Should he be given a medal for the ‘bravery’. Now, the matter is before the Lok Sabha speaker. What examples our leaders are setting to our children!

V GS Bhasin, Amritsar

Manhandling an Air India official by Shiv Sena MP is reprehensible. The Lok Sabha speaker should recommend his dismissal from the House for the rest of his term because such rogues do not deserve a place in law-making bodies. On the other side, police should make a strong case against him. Prime Minister Modi should also make it clear to its strategic partner to tame its maverick hoogligans. Subhash Vashisht,

Ludhiana

SECULARISM MISUNDERSTOOD

Secularism means equal rights, duties and justice for all citizens of country, and appeasement of none. Unfortunately, the post-Independence era is marked by the vote bank and appeasement politics in the garb of secularism. The anguish against the rulers for exploiting people for votes resulted in a gradual growth of the saffron brigade. But, exploiting the religious sentiments of voters will not work either. The general elections2019 will bean acid test for the idea of secularism. Karan Singh Vinayak,

Chandigarh

RUMBLINGS IN CONG

Apropos news report ‘Within week, rumblings audible in Capt Cabinet, party over posts’ (HT, March 24). All these disgruntled elements should realise that they are where they are because of Capt Amarinder’s efforts and the faith of people in him. Capt Amarinder should not tolerate defiance and indiscipline. Capt Amar Jeet Kumar,

Mohali

PARLIAMENTARY SECYS

During his last tenure as chief minister in 2002, Captain Amarinder had appointed a battery of parliamentary secretaries and chief parliamentary secretaries, giving way to litigation. His successor surpassed him. The Punjab and Haryana High Court last year declared these posts as unconstitutional. The new Punjab regime also wants to revive this lifeless skeleton, obviously under pressure from the legislators. The CM has said that his intention was to groom legislators for the posts of ministers in due course. He is right here, but he should give training sans perks and additional status. Surinderjit Singh Sandhu, Amritsar

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

In response to article by Sunny Hundal, it is true that political scale has tilted rightwards as there is gradual waning of the Left ideology. No doubt, Left discourse based on egalitarianism and altruism is wholesome for mankind, but slowly it segued into hatred for bourgeois and blurred boundaries of nations. Now, when the world is grappling with scourge of terrorism, people want leaders with unequivocal views on nationalism and ambiguous ‘Left’ does not resuscitate bleeding nations. If Left does not understand the rise of nationalism, not bigotry, worldwide then it is bound to be hoisted by its own petard. Dr Abhinav Sharma,

Ludhiana

NAMING CHANDIGARH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The issue of naming Chandigarh airport was again raised in Parliament last week. Without elaborating which member said what, I, as an octogenarian, humbly suggest that the airport be named as ‘BRS International Airport’. Here, BRS stands for initials of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. HK Aggarwal, Mohali

INSULT TO ROMEO

The UP government’s anti-Romeo drive to curb harassment of women is a welcome step. But, it’s improper to invoke ‘Romeo’ to denote roadside eve-teasers. Romeo is the protagonist of William Shakespeare’s famous play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which is about two star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. Hence, by any stretch of imagination the lead hero of this play can’t be termed as a female molester. This is an insult to a great piece of literature. Hemant Kumar,

Ambala City

MORAL POLICING IN UP

In India whenever a new government assumes office, in order to be in the public eye, it launches attention-grabbing campaigns. The anti-Romeo squads in Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh are harassing young couples for no offence. Up to what age our prudish leaders, especially those singletons, expect young people of both genders to remain segregated? The intermixing of opposite sexes promotes cordiality and better understanding.

Satwant Kaur, Mahilpur