Letter of the Week Award
To encourage quality reader intervention, The Indian Express offers the Letter of the Week award. The letter adjudged the best for the week is published every Saturday. Letters may be e-mailed to editpage@expressindia.com or sent to The Indian Express, B-1/B, Sector 10, Noida-UP 201301.
Letter writers should mention their postal address and phone number. The winner receives books worth `1,000
Beijing bonhomie
Although the Chinese president doesn’t usually receive foreign dignitaries outside Beijing, Xi Jinping set aside protocol and personally welcomed PM Narendra Modi in his hometown. Both Modi and Xi are powerful, new-generation leaders. They understand the importance of good bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between the two fastest-growing economies. Modi’s China visit could reduce the trust deficit and boost Sino-
Indian ties.
M.C. Joshi, Lucknow
Well courted
This refers to ‘Freedom of speech is not absolute, says SC’ (IE, May 15). The Supreme Court’s assertion that “freedom of speech has ‘constitutional limitations attached to it’ and this right cannot be exercised to attribute obscene expletives to historically respected personalities” has come not a day too soon. Too many vilify well-respected personalities under the cover of freedom of speech for cheap publicity.
V .Chandramohan, Mumbai
In a welcome ruling, the apex court has banned publication of pictures of ministers, except the PM, president and CJI, in government advertisements. It has thus upheld the basic tenets of democracy, where there is no room to take credit for what an individual has done while performing his duty.
Arun Goyal, Patiala
Juvenile protest
This refers to Abantika Ghosh’s ‘New JJ Act on the way, but debate continues’ (IE, May 15). The ministry’s decision to amend the juvenile justice act to “take proper care” of juveniles aged between 16 and 18 involved in heinous crimes must be welcomed. Since these well-informed juveniles deliberately get involved in such incidents, it is necessary to make them realise the gravity of their offence, especially when the apex court has also expressed concern. One wonders why NGOs and social activists are opposing this sensible move. Why can’t they think of the constitutional rights of the victims, too?
S. Kumar, New Delhi
Judging judges
With reference to Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s article, ‘Whom do you trust’ (IE, May 14), nobody must be a judge unto himself. For the judiciary to “deserve” independence, it needs an impartial and independent oversight mechanism. An independent constitutional body to expand the variety of voices that can influence administrative decisions, without destroying judicial independence, is needed.
Sidhartha Jatar, Pune
