letters to editor

MAMATA BANERJEE’S SCARY HISTRIONICS

A bizarre drama unfolded in West Bengal when chief minister Mamata Banerjee sat on a dharna at the Kolka ta police residence. Later, she called off th ed ha rn a saying the apex court order (contrary to what she was protesting against) was a victory for democracy. This eccentric behaviour of the CM is confusing. One shudders at the thought of such a person being portrayed by the media as one who may pose a serious challenge to PM Modi for the country’s top position.

Dr BN Anand, Mohali

A STATE VS CENTRE FIGHT

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hogged the limelight from the Union interim budget by starting the ‘Modi hatao, desh bachao’ dharna. She has played her cards well to create a constitutional crisis and shield her corrupt accomplices. And now by ending the dharna, she has started a fight between the West Bengal government and the Centre. Deeksha Kharbanda,

Chandigarh

STOP ORGANISING SUCH DHARNAS

The Supreme Court has ordered Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBl) in the Saradha chit fund scam. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee should now stop organising rallies to gain sympathy and creating an atmosphere of fear in the state. On many occasions, she has tried to portray that the state is separate from the nation and she is its ruler. Such acts have earned her discredit among the citizens. It’s high time that she starts behaving like a responsible CM.

Mahesh Chander

UNHOLY POLITICIAN-POLICE NEXUS

Apropos the editorial ‘The police are not a private army’ (Feb 6), the unholy nexus between police and politicians proves that the police is for the ruling party, not for the people. The All India Services (conduct) rules emphasise integrity, devotion to duty, high ethical standards and political neutrality. The few honest officers are given in consequential postings. Interaction between political leaders and police should not cross the proverbial ‘Lakshman rekha’. Some former police chiefs have pleaded for urgent police reforms, but they remain only on paper.

Usha Verma, Chandigarh

SPATE OF RAIDS BY CENTRAL AGENCIES

As the elections are drawing near, there is a sudden spurt of investigations and raids by the central agencies. These activities will either benefit the ruling party or the Opposition will make it an election issue, calling them vengeful acts. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has shown her feisty side by sitting on a dharna when the CBI wanted to question a senior police officer.

Gurcharan Kaur, Mohali

SAVE WEST BENGAL

Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar’s response towards the CBI inquest was a shameful act, leading to SC’s statement “giving the authoritative the authority to not arrest”. Mamata Banerjee first removed industries from West Bengal and is now beckoning them. She announced that the state was her private property; the Centre demands President’s rule. If this tug of war continues, soon West Bengal will demand special status.

Agrim Jolly, Zirakpur

KUDOS TO ISRO SCIENTISTS

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made the country proud by launching the latest high-power communication satellite, GSAT-31. This is the 40th satellite to the organisation’s credit. This will surely enhance the communication services in India and will also be of great help for the telecommunication companies. The ISRO scientists deserve the kudos.

Muskaan Gulati, Ambala

OPPOSITION’S RIDICULOUS DEMAND

The Election Commission of India claims that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are tamperproof but the Opposition thinks they are not. They demand 50 per cent EVM results should be crosschecked with VVPAT (voter-verified paper audit trail) slips. Though matching EVM with VVPAT machines will ensure transparency, the Opposition’s demand is ridiculous because it only questions the EC’s credibility.

Akram Shahab, Chandigarh

KAMDHENU AAYOG, NEW COW DEBACLE

The NDA-led government in an attempt to woo voters has introduced a new commission for cow protection and development, the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog. The commission will work towards conservation and development of cattle, including indigenous breeds. Though the initiative seems to be helpful for the farmers, the opposition sees it as a proRSS move to give the gau rakshaks free hand to continue with their lynching spree.

Anika, Palampur

SAVE GROUNDWATER TABLE

Groundwater table in Punjab has seen an alarming decline in the last five years, which is a threat to the environment. The increase in number of tubewells in Punjab and Haryana increased after the Green Revolution, but while on the one hand it helped save India from starvation, it led to groundwater depletion on the other. Tubewells should be the last resort for the farmers a nd their installation should be regulated by the government so that the situation does not go out of control.

Guneet Kaur, Yamunanagar

BRING BACK THE LOKPAL

Finally, the Modi government has taken a step forward with the Lokpal Bill. Undoubtedly, it was Anna Hazare’s fast that nudged the Centre to implement the anticorruption watchdog bill but it has remained ineffectual since inception. The Lokpal needs to be revived to deal with corruption in high places.

Vaishali Panda, Ambala