Letters to the editor

Neighbourly advice8226; It seems the military-supported governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh have become defensive of late, not so much b...

Neighbourly advice

8226; It seems the military-supported governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh have become defensive of late, not so much because of pressure from democratic forces within their own countries but because of the cacophony of democratic forces of the western world and noises from India. But it behoves the governments of both Pakistan and Bangladesh to immediately allow former prime ministers, Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, Khalida Zia and Sheikh Hasina, to pursue democratic politics within their respective countries. They must also immediately incorporate 8216;employment8217; as a justiciable fundamental/human right in their statute books, as well as make available prompt legal aid. They should also sign the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil 038; Political Right ICCPR so that citizens of either country may move the UN for remedy, in case their governments blatantly deny them their human rights.

8212; Hem Raj Jain, New Delhi

Judicious activism

8226; I Fail to understand the hue and cry over the so-called 8216;judicial activism8217; or 8216;overreach8217; by the country8217;s judiciary. Agreed that the responsibility for maintaining law and order lies with the executive alone. However, the executive has on occasion failed the Constitution, forcing the judiciary to step in. For example, take the water disputes between the states. One does not have to look far to understand why there has been a furore on the part of politicians over judicial activism: parliamentary elections are due in two years. With some 8216;uncomfortable8217; PILs and judgments lying with, or passed by, the apex court, the outcry is easy to explain. The fact is that the nation stands divided on a number of issues. Winning by impressive margins entails votebank politics of the kind currently being played out in the country.

8212; S.G. Shevade, Vadodara

TUs beware

8226; The activities of labour unions cannot be characterised as anti-industry per se, but the present scenario speaks otherwise 8216;CITU wants to ride the automobile sector8217;, April 18. The extremely politicised union leaders have failed to read the writing on the wall. Their adamant policies of opposing everything has not only stalled progress, it has harmed the future of those members who pay heavy fees to the unions. Today8217;s industrialists are neither exploiters, nor do they think twice about shifting their units elsewhere. If the present trend, going by Singur, Nandigram and Hindustan Motors, continues, West Bengal may have to face a large-scale migration of industrial units from the state.

8212; Naval Langa, Ahmedabad