What’s in news

What’s in news
The dispute over 3 Idiots is purely a private one among the beneficiaries, producers and scriptwriters (‘Aamir, Bhagat in ugly 3 Idiots script spat’, DNA, January 2). But the electronic media has being going overboard with it for the past three days as if it is of national importance. Don’t the channels have a social responsibility to discriminate between serious and frivolous issues?
—S Rajagopalan, Chennai

Need for strict action
Apropos ‘Indian stabbed to death in Australia’, (DNA, January 4), despite our government having taken up this issue with the Australian government. There’s no stop to the incessant harassment of the Indians by the Australian racists. External affairs minister SM Krishna must send a strong message to Australia that India’s patience is running out. Condemning the attack does not solve the problem. Now the time has come to view this issue seriously and be firm with the Australian government.
—Jitendra Kothari, via email

Severe punishment necessary
It is very heartening to note that 18 medical students, who ragged their juniors, have been booked under the stringent Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1999 (‘18 students held for ragging’, DNA, January 4). Now it is necessary to ensure that they are punished in such a way that it would serve as a deterrent for such misguided elements. It is high time that these acts indulged in by fiendish minds are stopped with an iron hand.
—Chandramohan, via email  

Matter of trust
It is a very shameful thing for the police department that cops were present at a party thrown by Chotta Rajan (‘Prakash Wani denies partying with Chhota Rajan gang’, DNA, January 2). Mistake by one of the officers creates a negative image of the police in the in the public mind. Home minister RR Patil should look into the matter and determine if there are any links between police and the underworld. Can we feel secure if we have such people in the police department?
—Jayesh Shrikant Rane, Mumbai

II
What is new about the presence of a few policemen at the new year party hosted by an underworld don?  The fact that many politicians, and quite a few men in khaki, have always had connections with the gangsters is known to everyone. It has always been a symbiotic existence. Not much harm will be done to the erring policemen, because they will be shielded by their guardians, and partners-in-crime, in the government.
—VV Vijayan, Mumbai