Opinion Speed of justice
President Pranab Mukherjees rapid negotiation of mercy petitions would indicate that he does not want to be remembered as a head of state who sat on pleas for years
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Speed of justice
* President Pranab Mukherjees rapid negotiation of mercy petitions would indicate that he does not want to be remembered as a head of state who sat on pleas for years (SC stays execution of 8 death row convicts,IE,April 8). But what is disturbing is the practice of sending the convict to the gallows,without preamble,the moment the mercy plea is rejected,as in the case of Afzal Guru. That,coupled with the secrecy with which it was conducted,paints a grim picture of our judicial system. The fact that Gurus family was not informed or allowed to see him before he was hanged also gave rise to the fear that this would be the standard procedure in future. So it is welcome news that the Supreme Court has stayed the execution of eight death row prisoners whose mercy pleas were rejected by the president.
Pachu Menon
Margao
Feathered friends
* THIS refers to Day of the turncoats by Inder Malhotra (IE,April 8). In politics,there are no permanent enemies or friends. Our politicians change colour as it suits them. Loyalty has no lasting meaning in our countrys politics. So it was not surprising to see Beni Prasad Verma sniping at his old friend,Mulayam Singh. The Congress has mastered the art of shifting political alliances in order to survive. It can readily accommodate all kinds of political migratory birds.
Bal Govind
Noida
Pawar to the people
* THE report Load shedding behind rise in births: Ajit Pawar (IE,April 8,2013) made for a sad read. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawars comments were in bad taste,even if they had been made in a light vein. Politicians make fun of the people who elect them,but they forget their comments could backfire in the elections. Two of the biggest problems Maharashtra faces are water shortage and lack of electricity. Water conservation is the need of the hour,we need more dams and irrigation facilities,and we must come up with innovative ways to save water so that a drought situation does not arise.
S.N. Kabra
Forest track
* IT IS shocking to learn that the forest owlet may be on the verge of extinction (Lost,found,vanishing from roots again,IE,March 19). Since its rediscovery in Maharashtra in 1997,the owlet had been spotted in the forests of various states. The birds habitat is under tremendous pressure,thanks to encroachment,forest fires and the use of chemicals and pesticides in farms,not to mention the destruction of habitat. The health of the forest owlet,which is at the top of the food chain,indicates the health of the forest. Urgent conservation efforts are needed to rescue the forest owlet,for the overall protection of the ecosystem.
Probir Kumar Bose
Navi Mumbai
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