letterstoeditor

NRC IRRELEVANT TO OUR LIVES

The BJP government’s plan to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Haryana is misplaced, especially as there is already a law to deal with illegal migrants. It is an attempt to divert people’s attention from the real issues, the economic slowdown and unemployment. The NRC is irrelevant to people’s lives. In Assam, the government spent big money on its implementation, but without the desired results. Instead of wasting money on the NRC, Haryana will do well to invest its resources on new hospitals and universities.

Bhupinder Kochhar

RETHINK NRC, BUT WITHOUT POLITICAL COLOUR

The updated NRC in Assam has excluded 1.9 million (19 lakh) residents. Many have alleged that facts have been tampered with. The NRC is not a foolproof solution to check illegal migrants. Now other states like, Haryana, UP and Jharkhand are keen on replicating the NRC. Blaming the BJP for its approach is not wholly-justified. Assam had raised the ‘foreigners’ issue years ago. Many people, out of fear, left the state but the issue was swept under the carpet. In a vast country like India, where political leaders divide gullible people to protect their votebank, such an exercise will create confusion. Let there be a rethink on the issue without giving it a communal colour or blaming the RSS for imposing its agenda on the Centre.

Usha Verma, Chandigarh

SOME POSITIVE SIGNS FOR J&K

The Modi government’s decision to scrap Article 370 has had quite an impact on Jammu and Kashmir and the country. Irrespective of what the Centre has to promise, it looks like normalcy is far from achieved. With the Supreme Court ordering the Centre to restore peace as soon as possible and the chief justice mulling a visit to the newlyformed UT, citizens of the state and across the country are developing confidence that peace would arrive soon.

Varun Malik, Chandigarh

PREJUDICED POLICY OPERATING IN J&K

Farooq Abdullah’s arrest under the Public Safety Act and the house-arrest of other political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir is inappropriate and undemocratic. To bring back normalcy, it is important that leaders of the region are allowed to move among people. A preconceived notion of unrest in the government’s mind should not prejudice its policies. If leaders are agonised and held unlawfully and forcibly, the repercussions of such a situation can simmer for long and may explode when they are let off.

Sanna Singh

TRUMP’S HOWDY MODI A POLITICAL STATEMENT

US president Donald Trump’s decision to address the Indian diaspora by ‘Howdy Modi’ may have many connotations. It will definitely help Trump garner support of about 40 lakh Indians for 2020 elections. The personal closeness of the Trump-Modi relationship and increased bonding in Indo-US ties will also be on display. It is hoped that Trump will stick to the script and may not waver as he sometimes does. The contribution of Indians to the economy of America is immense and also boosts India’s strength. The event should be fruitful for both the counties as well as the two leaders.

Subhash Vaid

UNWARRANTED UTTERANCES FROM UNION MINISTER

Union minister of state Santosh Kumar Gangwar has created a major controversy by saying that there is no dearth of employment in the country, but there is a paucity of quality people in northern India. This is an illogical, unwarranted, insulting and divisive statement intended to create a wedge and cover up the Modi government’s failures. In employment, its record is especially dismal with unemployment on the rise. This is happening in the backdrop of a serious economic slowdown and a looming recession. The economic situation is something that this government cannot escape from.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

DON’T DILUTE NEW TRAFFIC LAW

The Modi government is right in imposing heavy fines on traffic rule violators under the amended Motors Vehicles Act. For long, road safety has been ignored. On our killer roads, lakhs of lives are lost every year. The decision of a few states to dilute these hefty penalties is uncalled for. The government must take responsibility of making roads free of potholes and stray cattle.

Ranbir Singh Pannu,

Amritsar