Rampaging army• The report on army jawans attacking a police station was shocking beyond belief. One is aware of the rot in several of our national institutions but — despite some stray reports of corruption and lawlessness — the Armed Forces were largely perceived to be an island of discipline. The latest incident in Kolkata involved a score of jawans led by a lieutenant colonel reportedly ransacking a police station where two army officers were locked up on the charge of molesting a few women. The detained men were forcibly released. They acted like a gang of mafia thugs. The incident underlines the degeneration seeping even into the defence forces. The anguished nation, already sick of a widespread and blatant disregard of accepted values and traditional decencies, will not rest content until the defence minister and the army high command order a immediate suspension of those guilty of the Kolkata crime.—M. Ratan New Delhi Rights beginning• THE Supreme Court has pulled up the Union and state governments for their apathy in the implementation of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). This is hardly an exception. Our failure in ensuring child rights is well documented. India being among those countries which have failed to prevent starvation and malnutrition of children in the world. To top this is the horrific violence and abuse that children face from every quarter — parents, teachers, police and, of course, from people in their neighbourhood, as the Noida incidents reveal. A slap to a person rightly qualifies as a crime of hurt, but thrashing children as punishment is tolerated in society. We talk about our demographic advantage, but forget that the majority of children here are from poor families in backward northern states. There are many powerful groups working for the rights of women but not for children, who can’t even speak for themselves. The UPA government should now universalise ICDS with strict accountability, enact the Right to Education Bill and strengthen commissions for child rights in all states. — Pranav Sachdeva DelhiIndefensible• THIS refers to your editorial, ‘In whose defence’ (IE, December 29). Not only should the DRDO and DAE be subjected to independent and external audit, even the ISRO, CSIR, GSI and all the other scientific organisations under the Government of India must be closely scrutinised. It is time to account for the huge expenditure incurred in maintaining these white elephants, with nothing or little coming out of them over the last 50 years. The scientists have just got away with talking big and earning promotions and laurels for themselves. All vital technology continues to be imported, be it in defence or in industry.— G. Mookerjee KolkataBorder lines• A RECENT visit to watch the closing ceremony at the Wagah border, Punjab, was disturbing. Egged on by cheerleaders, both the crowds shout their respective patriotic slogans, each side trying to outshout the other in a voice match of sorts. This is a pity, as the solemn occasion of lowering flags could have been utilised better. For instance, crowds on each side of the border should watch in silence and dignity the other side’s ceremony. This is an opportunity to build a bridge of understanding between the two peoples, who have so much in common. A short cultural programme too could be arranged showcasing each other’s rich cultural heritage. It’s hoped that in view of the improving relations between India and Pakistan, jingoism would give place to a more dignified ceremony.— D.B.N. Murthy , Bangalore
