Letters to the editor

Ghaziabad

Fear of equality

• Since the Union cabinet has finally cleared the Right to Education Bill, it is time to probe as to what had stopped our leaders from providing free education to all this time. Constitutionally, it should have been implemented in the ‘60s. But it did not materialise. Lack of resources was often cited as the reason. But the failure can be explained as a bigger political conspiracy. Leaders apprehensive of preserving their status and power pass their burden on to the common man, but prevent him from reaping the benefits that they themselves enjoy. Let’s hope the bill passes the Parliament test.

— Rajeev Kumar

New Delhi

Gently he went

• Anil Kumble’s sudden decision to retire ends an era of wonderful cricket. Kumble’s extraordinary track record has ensured him a place in the cricketing pantheon. But the fantastic statistics can hardly overwhelm somebody like him. Kumble, the icon, will be a role model for spinners technically. But it is cricket itself that must keep his gentleman’s legacy alive.

— Narayan B. Iyer

Mumbai

Violence Inc.

• Recent events seem to have sent out signals that the man behind the MNS chauvinism and hooliganism will escape the legal consequences of his words and actions. That is sad and scary news for India. VIPs and politicians are not the only people held hostage by the power-hungry few. Individual citizens must also live in fear of personal injury and loss. As a Maharashtrian, I strongly condemn the culture of casual and hideous violence that the MNS has unleashed. But I also feel that counter-violence is not the answer to this.

— Hasan-ul-Huzaibi

Pune

Policy discretion

• Last year, a stiff penalty of Rs 500 was introduced by the Delhi government against littering. One wonders whether urinating in public is included as an offence since men persist in it even when public urinals are located nearby. Laws with unrealistic penalties (such as of Rs 500 or Rs 1000) never get implemented. Rather, a sustained campaign against such nuisance, and a realistic and realisable fine of, say, Rs 50, have better chances of success.

— Alpana Patwardhan

New Delhi