Opinion Letter to the editor

• The Sri Rama Sene that assaulted women at a Mangalore pub consists of nothing but goons. If they were serious about preserving Indian culture,they would first and foremost have adopted other means for registering their disgust with the ways of the world. It is imperative for the authorities to proscribe this gang and severely punish the perpetrators of the assault. Many of us may be concerned with changing social norms or “permissiveness”,but we can’t for a moment forget the distinction between means and ends. Sri Rama Sene’s means proved their ends were distinct from what they claimed those to be.

Nuanced bill

• Faculty reservations at Indian institutes do need subtler approaches. Faculty appointments should privilege the quality of a candidate over all other qualifications or disqualifications. The forthcoming Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in posts and services) Bill,2008 should contain provisions to de-reserve such vacant seats,which may then be offered to the deserving candidates.

— Bhaskar Sen

Ghaziabad

Words matter

• Terrorists are an undeniable threat to society but,Arijit Pasayat,the Supreme Court judge who created a controversy by labelling terrorists with animals,should have conveyed his message differently. An apex court judge’s words,especially in high profiles cases,don’t remain confined to the courtroom but are heard or read by millions,some of whom would also be law students.

— John Alexander

Nagpur

Unreal world

• This refers to Dhiraj Nayyar’s ‘Republic of control’. Justice Kaul’s judgment is a landmark verdict favouring the creative development of this generation. Films serve as mere entertainment and an escape mechanism,and thus the Union health minister’s attempt to ban smoking on screen is unnecessary.

— N.V. Unnithan

Mumbai

Responsible actions

• Speaking of freedom,is it not worth remembering that we live in society,and that in society conventions and customs are a key to our behavioural norms? Freedom,however,does not permit people to go by their whims and fancies alone,without taking into account other people’s views. Yet,social policing by an individual or a group should by no means be allowed.

— Khagendra C. Das

Mumbai

In preparation

• With the general elections round the corner,it becomes the duty of the major political parties to put their respective alliances in order. It would be in the national interest that the verdict be not fractured. Those heading the Congress and the BJP will need to step up their efforts. As far as the Congress is concerned,Sonia Gandhi should endorse Manmohan Singh as PM since he is universally respected.

— Parimal Y. Mehta

Mumbai