Letters to the editor: Stop diktats by religious extremists

Stop diktats by religious extremists
Apropos of “Govt must assert itself”, it is because the government will not assert itself that the culture of intolerance, fanaticism and Talibanisation by religious extremists is pandemic. The casualty is creative freedom – art, culture, music – and of course the rule of law. When we have elected representatives and officials to maintain and enforce the law, why are religious heads and fringe elements allowed to exert their influence through fatwas and such other unconstitutional orders? The earlier the government deals with these elements the better, lest the situation goes out of hand, as in neighbouring Pakistan and Afghanistan.

—KP Rajan, Mumbai

II
The decision by Pragaash, the all-girl band, to stop singing, will be a setback for Kashmir which has been seeing an improvement in civil life. To say that music is against the teachings of Islam and allowing girls to sing and dance brings dishonour to the community, is to trample on the right to expression. Allowing such threats to go unchallenged would amount to ceding vital civil space to religious extremists. It also ignores the glorious history of Muslim musicians that has enriched culture in the subcontinent. The state government must investigate the matter and those responsible for the threats should be taken to task.
—Bhagwandas, Pune

Arrogance of power
Apropos of “Speak up, Joshi tells Nariman”, UPA-II has received one more blot on its progress sheet with the resignation of solicitor general Rohinton Nariman. The resignation comes just 18 months after Gopal Subramanian also quit the post due to differences with the government. That was when the government was facing severe criticism over the unprecedented 2G spectrum scam. It suffered humiliation when the Supreme Court took over the supervision of the CBI inquiry into the case. Its position was so hopeless that even a legal luminary like Subramanian found it difficult to defend it and for this he was made the fall guy. Now, another honest and competent legal advisor has put in his papers, but little is known about the circumstances that led to his departure. The UPA-II has the dubious distinction of being at loggerheads with nearly every statutory and constitutional body, whether it is the comptroller and auditor general, attorney general, solicitor general, chief election commissioner, or the central vigilance commissioner. This shows its arrogance. The Parliament should probe the circumstances under which Nariman resigned. This could bring out more skeletons from the UPA’s cupboard.
—VS Mani, Bangalore

II
Eminent jurist Rohinton Nariman has put in his papers as solicitor general, apparently over a point of law with the Union law minister. This is a matter of concern as his predecessor Gopal Subramanian also quit, reportedly over differences with the then Union law minister Kapil Sibal, when the 2G scam broke. Nariman’s exit comes even as the TDSAT case is inconclusive. This sends out the wrong signals on government functioning. A harmonious atmosphere within the law ministry will help resolve cases quicker.
—Deepak Chikramane, Mumbai

Probe Suryanelli case
On the Suryanelli gang-rape case, just as there can be no smoke without fire, the victim could not have possibly named PJ Kurien, the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, again unless there is some truth. In fact, the 1996 incident that happened at the Kumily Panchayat guest house, had to be taken up by the Supreme Court when it was sought to be hushed up in the lower courts. So, when the girl and her family members are seeking a re-investigation into the incident, it is only proper that the case be re-opened, irrespective of the powerful figures who may be involved. This would send the right signals to those who believe they are a law unto themselves, that the truth will catch up with them some day.
—HP Murali, Bangalore

A (law)jam
The way in which the government promulgated the ordinance on sexual assault appears as if a mountain has delivered a mouse. The ordinance has left out many of the proposals made by the Justice Verma committee. The government has not given any convincing explanation for leaving out so many crucial aspects. It is also unclear why the ordinance was promulgated in such haste, when the provisions cannot be applied to the Delhi case. Making legislation without proper consideration and discussion will only result in bad laws. Sadly, today we have adopted a copyist attitude that leaves several loopholes. During the colonial days, laws were made in such a way that they could be interpreted for the maximum result. There is a popular joke told that when a person enquired about the rule, he got a reply: “You tell me the person, I will tell you the rule”. But after 65 years of independence, we still follow the old pattern. A plethora of ambiguous and voluminous laws is the bane of our legal system. It is hoped that the government will redraft the law, giving due consideration to the recommendations of the Verma committee without forcing another agitation on the issue.
—EM Adithyan, Edapal (Kerala)

An avoidable debate
Apropos of “Modi’s rise may cost BJP key allies”, the media is needlessly debating whether Narendra Modi should be the BJP/NDA nominee for prime minister. It is best that this matter is left to the BJP’s parliamentary board and the NDA to decide at the appropriate time. To provoke dissent at this juncture is not warranted. That the Janata Dal (U) will not accept Modi is as clear as the sun. But the BJP can prepare itself to deal with the situation in case the JD(U) decides to pull out of the alliance. The fact is that the country requires strong leadership. Modi’s critics should take note of the change of heart by the UK, which is now ready to do business in Gujarat, and it should not be long before the US follows suit. Gujarat has moved ahead since the unrest in 2002.
—VN Ramachandran, Vadodara