Letters To The Editor

The Bill passed by the Lok Sabha to stop demolition of unauthorised buildings for one year is not only unethical but illegal.

Unethical Bill

• The Bill passed by the Lok Sabha to stop demolition of unauthorised buildings for one year is not only unethical but illegal. The effect of this Bill, when notified, would be to allow illegal encroachments and deviations from approved building plans to continue without any sanction or approval. It is ironical that the power to frame laws has been misused to legitimise the violations of law largely under pressure from the traders’ lobby. It will be pertinent to recollect that the same lobby had stalled the notification of the Delhi Rent Control Bill duly passed by both houses of Parliament, thus depriving house owners from getting a fair return from their legal properties. The present exercise is ultra vires of the Constitution and should be struck down by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile the MCD should ensure that buildings once demolished do not come up again during the interim period nor new ones are allowed to come up in the absence of demolition drives.

— J.M. Manchanda Delhi

Khot out

• The very fact that Maharashtra’s additional chief secretary, Ashok Khot, is still not arrested in spite of the Supreme Court turning down once again his appeal, amounts to compounding the contempt of court by the

Story continues below this ad

Maharashtra government and the police, who were faxed the SC order on Friday, May 12, when Khot was very much in Bombay (IE, May 13 ). Now he is in Delhi, exploring “a legal remedy to get justice” (IE, May 15). Is there any justification for the government machinery to wait for the voluntary surrender of a convicted person? We have many convicted criminals who defy arrest by going underground or sometimes even leaving the country. Is the government supposed to wait for such criminals to surrender voluntarily or is it expected to hunt for the absconders with all the resources at its disposal, including the red alert to the Interpol if necessary?

— Sameer Kumar New Delhi

• In an era when money and muscle power calls the shots, the Supreme Court’s timely decision of a month’s imprisonment for Maharashtra’s transport minister, Swarupsinh Naik, and Additional Chief Secretary Ashok Khot, for contempt of court, should act as a deterrent to those politicians and government officials who have the audacity to disregard court orders. Politicians should realise that their mere position and social status does not give them a right to interfere with the administration of justice.

— Aires Rodrigues Panaji

Ascetics at helm

• It was very soothing to read about the spartan life styles of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and V. Achuthanandan (The Sunday Express, May 14). It is almost impossible to believe that such politicians exist in the present wretched system. Both politicians are symbol of fortitude and forbearance. I wish that the current breed of politicians, who worship Mammon, try and emulate these two ascetics.

— Vikas Alwar

Gag order

• One cannot understand why the BCCI is restricting players from commenting on Sourav Ganguly. We are living in a democratic country and everybody has the right to speak. Today many Indians want to see Sourav Ganguly in the Indian cricket team once again. If such comments from players ensure that he does come back, it is for the best. The BCCI should know the adage: the people’s voice is the voice of God.

— H.S. Sarkaria Amritsar

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India3 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

View all shorts

Live Blog