Gun culture needs to be nipped in the bud
A two-wheeler rider from Usgao was reportedly seriously injured in an early morning shoot-out by assailants riding a bike at Bethora junction in broad daylight on the busy Margao-Belgavi NH bypass. The victim was shifted to GMC Hospital at Bambolim where his condition is learnt to be stable. Police have recovered a 7.65 mm bullet from the site and suspect that a country-made gun was used. In this connection an offence under Section 307 (attempt to murder) and Section 3, 25 and 27 of Arms Act was reportedly registered against three accused. Be that as it may it must be said Goa is slowly becoming a state where the crime rate is on the rise. Goa is witnessing several incidences of murders, kidnapping, rapes, thefts, etc. If not nipped in the bud, the gun-culture could also invade the state. This is a dangerous trend. Many criminals from other states consider Goa as a safe haven to get away from long hands of the law. Police needs to thoroughly investigate the shooting incident and find out how the assailant could get the firearm. If not, Goa could go the way of Bihar, UP and other states where scores are settled by using a gun.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Uphold equality of law in Nation
The recent violence in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal state of the non BJP ruled state we see the BJP men and women party workers protesting to bring the lawbreakers to justice.
The National Women Commission also went to the extent to recommend to the President for President’s Rule. Last year the same type of incident occurred in a BJP ruled state of Manipur there was no protest from party workers, no recommendation from the NCW even the media was banned and this is how good governance plays out in a double engine Sarkar.
Why do we play such politics for the sake of power and money at the cost of human lives? The women were paraded naked, murdered but the government saw no evil.
This is how we are teaching our new generation that if you don’t belong to my party, the law acts this way. This has become a new modern emergency type of imposition. What is the use of boasting to be a super power nation or a fast growing nation but our people are going to be treated like this? We tell the world that we are the largest democratic nation that is now establishing a new Ramrajya rule. On this women’s day, let’s remember the hundreds of women killed in violence or caused injustice that the Good Lord save our next generation women. The law should be applicable to all in a proper way.
Gregory E D’Souza, Siolim
Sharif’s decision is no surprise
In the February Pakistan elections, when contrary to expectations, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML–N) suffered shock losses in the central Punjab province, the writing on the wall was clear for the beleaguered former Prime Minister: he was no longer on the front foot. So, despite an uncomfortable alliance with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Sharif’s decision not to assume the mantle of the Prime Minister for the time doesn’t come as a surprise. A dominant personality like Nawaz Sharif may not be cosy to the idea of running a coalition government with all its attendant nitty–gritty. He chose to be a kingmaker of sorts. Pakistan’s economy is in the doldrums for long.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) may or may not agree to an extended fund facility to Islamabad after already helping it with two loan tranche. Nawaz Sharif’s brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rightly accorded top priority to talks with the IMF. Nawaz Sharif is also wary of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party that enjoys a considerable presence in the National Assembly and is bound to breathe down the government’s neck. Islamabad is also looking down the barrel on the international front; its relations with nations except China is nothing to rave about. Overall, Nawaz Sharif’s reluctance to helm the country’s fortunes at this hour, though understandable, does not bode well for his status of a leader.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Voters wooed during election time
Cometh the elections, every party leader comes out with spate of projects and welfare measures to woo the voters. Like our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the TN Chief Minister, M K Stalin too has come out with various projects to woo the voters. Whether these projects will see the light and benefit the common man, is a matter to be seen. Both at the Centre and TN State, they are yet to fulfill their earlier promises made by them. We are sure, this election too is not going to be any different.
N Mahadevan, Chennai
Provide reservations for economically backward
The Gomantak Bhandari Samaj has demanded for an exclusive 20 per cent reservation for the Bhandari community across various sectors, including education and legislative assembly. The current OBC reservation stands at 27 per cent. The Bhandari Samaj underscored the need for a 20 per cent reservation, citing their substantial representation within the OBC populace. The proposal allocates the remaining 7 per cent for other communities.
The reservation policy has worked well so far, bringing millions of people from disadvantaged communities into the economic, social and political mainstream. The reservation policy has also led to increased caste consciousness and politicisation of caste identities in India. Some political leaders are using this to demand reservations for more and more communities or castes.
We should realise that the reservation policy only distributes available education and job opportunities. The more important point is to increase these opportunities. An obsession with the reservation policy as the only or main solution to the problem of poverty and unemployment diverts our attention from the pertinent issue of economic development. The country should ensure that nobody is hungry, poor or unemployed, irrespective of caste, religion or region.
Reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) is consistent with the need to maintain efficiency in administration. Putting people from the marginalised communities in important positions of responsibility itself is receptive to the needs of those communities and to the need for inclusion. Reservation is a measure of affirmative action to bring equality to those who have suffered hundreds of years of discrimination.
The Constitution does not postulate that people belonging to the marginalised groups are inefficient while those from other groups are competent. The government must exclude the creamy layers from the reserved groups and provide reservations for the economically backward people from all castes and communities, including the religious minorities. This would make the reservation policy more inclusive, fair, and democratic.
Reservations have their own merit – inclusion. The extent of reservations should be within sensible limits. The limit imposed by the Supreme Court at 50 per cent is sensible in Indian circumstances. The formula is fair and balanced as it allows for the inclusion of marginalised groups and merit-based competition among all candidates. A good scope for open merit creates an incentive to excel, which is necessary for a country’s progress.
Newton Mendonca, Aldona
