Letters to the editor

This is an appeal to all MPs and MLAs to exercise their conscience vote.

Insult to women

8226; This is an appeal to all MPs and MLAs to exercise their conscience vote. The current presidential election poses a grave challenge to constitutional government and democracy. We express our deep concern at the manner in which the dignity and integrity of the highest office in India has been compromised, with the UPA selecting a candidate who is allegedly implicated in several financial frauds and who is also accused of shielding her brother, G.N. Patil, for his alleged role in the murder of Vishram Patil. The manner in which the Mumbai High Court has castigated the CBI for shoddy investigation in the case makes Pratibha Patil8217;s candidature even more unacceptable. It is an insult to the women of India that her candidature is being projected as a symbol of women8217;s empowerment.

We hold no brief for any party or candidate. However, we feel strongly that our elected representatives owe it to the nation to reject such a candidate.

8212; Rani Jethmalani, Madhu Purnima Kishwar 038; others, New Delhi

Whip of abstention

8226; THE BJP, led by Sushma Swaraj, is going about the presidential election in a rash and immature manner. With no real content in their accusations, she and her cohorts are only making fools of themselves. In order to be on the front pages, they are raising extraneous issues like whether the UNPA8217;s decision to abstain from the presidential elections can be construed as a whip to its members. Everybody knows what a whip is and the UNPA8217;s advice is obviously not a whip but a piece of advice which each member can heed or ignore, according to his conscience. By visiting the Election Commission and other high offices in Delhi over the issue, with the sole intention of capturing media attention, the BJP has only covered itself with false glory.

8212; S. Kamat, Alto Betim

Battling suicide

8226; THE suicide of yet another woman in uniform, Captain Megha Razdan, shows that all is not well within the Indian army. The army has responded, saying that the suicide rate within the army is lower than the national average 8212; 7.5 per 100,000 within the army as opposed to 11.5 outside. But no one can deny that these cases of suicide are the result of unbearable stress, strain or exploitation. So it is important that the army authorities conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into these cases.

8212; Pritpal Singh, New Delhi