The judiciary
THE tussle between the government and the judiciary on the appointment of judges has become a political issue, with the main opposition party blaming the government for showing partiality (Cover Story, May 25).
Unfortunately, even after 70 years of achieving a fully functioning democracy, there is no transparency in the judicial system. Can a person advance in the higher judiciary through merit alone? Why is the Supreme Court not ready to make its appointments process transparent? In the Justice A.N. Ray case, the government overruled the Supreme Court appointment process on the basis of seniority of judges. Since then, the issue of transparency has been raised.
Neeraj Kumar Jha, New Delhi
THIS is with reference to the article “The erroneous decision”. The Indian judicial system, through time-tested methods, has focussed on getting the common man to know his rights. The need of the hour is to ensure that citizens have more faith in the judicial system. Hence, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu’s decision to dismiss the impeachment motion was a reasonable one.
A.J. Rangarajan, Chennai
India & China
THE Doklam standoff soured relations between India and China, so Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s informal talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan came as a whiff of fresh air (“A fresh start?”, May 25). It helped ease tensions on the borders. Unresolved border disputes are the biggest bottleneck India faces to cementing permanent relationship with its neighbour. India must understand the ground realities and henceforth act in such a way as to strengthen bilateral relations with China. Only this will help India’s interests in the long run.
K.R. Srinivasan, Secunderabad, Telangana
Rajinder Sachar
JUSTICE Rajinder Sachar will be remembered as a towering legal luminary who stood by the underprivileged (“Tireless crusader”, May 25). He espoused the cause of the downtrodden throughout his life. He opposed tooth and nail the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, which had become a tool to harass innocent Muslims. He gained global renown for his work with the United Nations.
He was a truly intrepid person who spoke his mind fearlessly. Implementing the recommendations of the Sachar Committee would be a true homage to the great jurist.
Samiul Hassan Quadri, Bikaner, Rajasthan
Ashok Mitra
ASHOK MITRA belonged to that generation of Marxist leaders whose only aim in life was to serve mankind (“A lovable rebel” and “Economist with a difference”, May 25). He led an austere life, and simplicity was a key trait of his personality. He was fond of literature, music and sports, especially cricket. Although he was a true communist, some of his writings did not suit the interests of his comrades, but that hardly ruffled Mitra. He was a true nationalist and secularist.
Jayant Mukherjee, Kolkata
THE articles gave a moving account of the towering intellectual personality and impressive life of Mitra. His dedication and commitment to the progress of ordinary people endeared him to friends and critics alike irrespective of their political hue. There was a time, particularly in the 1980s, when the print media carried his articles, which were a source of inspiration for the students and faculty of development and welfare economics in institutions of higher education. His life broke the myths that a bureaucrat could not become a social activist or an academic could not prescribe practical solutions to the economic problems plaguing society or that a politician could not become a realistic administrator capable of implementing programmes for the holistic development of the people.
B. Rajasekaran, Bengaluru
Rape
THE rape and murders in Kathua and Unnao outraged the nation (Cover Story, May 11). Modi’s stoic silence for weeks was baffling and in stark contrast to his eloquence when he addresses the diaspora and talks about his government’s achievements in glowing terms.
It is a sorry spectacle to hear the Prime Minister speak about the development he has brought in as though there was none at all until 2014. Unless the Modi government takes stringent action against this growing trend of violence against women and children, the situation will get out of control and will lead to a backlash during the general election in 2019.
N.C. Sreedharan, Kannur, Kerala
IT is shocking that even children below the age of five are not spared from the crime of rape. It is reported that every 10 minutes a rape takes place somewhere or the other in the country. The laws and the system are not victim-friendly but accused-friendly. The justice delivery system should be time bound.
Sravana Ramachandran, Chennai
Rohingyas
ROHINGYAS who fled from Myanmar have become “no man’s people” (”Refugees in limbo”, May 11). The process of their return is painfully slow, with Myanmar putting all sorts of hurdles in their way. It is reported that Rohingya villages are being “occupied” by the military and non-Rohingyas. The refugees do not have leaders who can take up their demands. The Big Five powers and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are not much interested in ending their misery. Unfortunately, India is keeping a low profile in the matter of the Rohingya refugees. However, it is not too late to offer more humanitarian aid to the refugees in Bangladesh. It should gently nudge the regime in Myanmar to resolve the issue with a human touch.
D.B.N. Murthy, Bengaluru
Lingayats
THE article “Legal complications” (May 11) correctly analysed the problems that have to be taken into consideration if Lingayats are to be recognised as a religious minority. In Karnataka, they are not only a major community in terms of their population but also politically and economically stronger than others. Although their lifestyle, practices and customs are the same as Hindus, the Congress government granted them a separate religious identity keeping in mind the Assembly elections. This was a politically motivated decision. The ruling party first decided to have the new religion and then constituted a committee for the recommendations.
Madhava Peraje, Hampi, Karnataka
Cold War
THE United States’ unease over China’s rise as an economic power during the Barack Obama regime has reached new heights with the “exceptionalist” mindset and the“protectionist” methods of the Donald Trump administration (“Looming Cold War”, April 27). The U.S. administration is now tormented by the prospect of a “two-lions-in-one-den” scenario.
Ayyasseri Raveendranath, Aranmula, Kerala
Gut health
THIS is with reference to “Feeding microbes for health” (“Science notebook”, March 30). It is well known that eating fruits and vegetables is the key to good health. They contain vital fibre and other necessary ingredients essential for good health such as antioxidants. Michael Pollan, a popular author of books on food, makes a simple suggestion: If it is from a plant, eat it. If it is made in a plant, do not eat it.
H.N. Ramakrishna, Novi, Michigan, U.S.
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