Rahul’s questions merit answers

Apropos of ‘A question of grace, timing’ (The Great Game); why should Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, not ask pertinent questions concerning national security? His posers regarding America’s purported role in the ceasefire deserve candid answers. Was it graceful on PM Modi’s part to skip two significant all-party meetings convened to take stock of the situation after the Pahalgam massacre? Why is “valuable” advice being given only to the Congress? Should we not ask Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh some soul-searching questions — Why were security arrangements not in place at a tourist spot like Baisaran? Why are the terrorists responsible for the ghastly act still at large? The dictum, ‘Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion’, is practically being proved true.

PK Sharma, Barnala

One voice of all parties

Refer to ‘A question of grace, timing’; politicians of all ideological shades should exhibit a sense of responsibility in these critical times. It is relevant to remember the admirable role that Atal Bihari Vajpayee played first as an Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha and then as a sensible and popular Prime Minister. The decision to send multi-party delegations for global outreach should be welcomed. Shashi Tharoor, Salman Khurshid and Manish Tewari are Congress leaders of high calibre who can candidly put forth the country’s stance against terrorism before the world. To remain firmly united with one voice, we must show an accommodative spirit.

Raj Bahadur Yadav, Fatehabad

Make India economically strong

Refer to ‘Don’t spare Pak allies’; Pakistan’s ‘friends’ need to be suitably sensitised to India’s distress on their support to terror. It is a reminder that India needs to substantially augment its manufacturing capabilities in order to reduce dependence on cheap Chinese products. Mere slogans like ‘Make in India’ is not enough. Concrete action is required to boost the manufacturing sector and correct the trade imbalance so that China desists from openly supporting our hostile neighbour.

AP Singh, Ludhiana

Fanatical attitude

Refer to ‘A fractured dialogue’; language is a means of communication among the masses. When language becomes an impediment within a nation, it must ring alarm bells. Integrity within diversity is our motto. The service sector, whether public or private, must understand the role of proper dialogue to understand clients and their needs. By unduly emphasising on a regional language, they should not condemn the use of the national language. All states should adhere to the NEP guidelines, which stress on flexibility of language. A fanatical attitude on the use of a regional or national language is regressive. A sorry state of affairs persists in several states.

Mukhtiar Singh, Malerkotla

Urban spaces vs agri land

The Punjab Government proposes to acquire 24,311 acres of land in Ludhiana for developing urban estates when much urban space is lying unused in the state. Instead of changing the archaic rent Acts and putting the existing infrastructure to use, the government is planning to create new urban areas. The grid pattern being adopted by the authorities is flawed. It has compartmentalised housing according to income groups; this will isolate people. We need to rethink on whether we really need so much of planned urban space at the cost of agricultural land, which produces food for the masses and is a source of livelihood for many farmers.

Parshant Mittal, Chandigarh

Wastage of public money

With reference to ‘SC allows Delhi Govt to withdraw seven cases filed by AAP against Centre, L-G’; while it is the prerogative of the government to pursue or withdraw cases filed by previous governments, but cases already referred to a Constitution Bench should not be allowed to be withdrawn. The court’s decisions can have wider implications beyond politics. Cases are admitted only if prima facie there is some substance in the complaint. Allowing withdrawal means no accountability, and wastage of public money and precious time of the courts.

Kamal Arora, Panchkula

Letters to the Editor