Editor,
The recent Supreme Court’s decision against canvassing for votes on ground of religion, caste, creed, community or language reminds us that in the public sphere, each individual is part of a stream of rational population with objective interests, not a separate entity with certain caste, religious, communal or linguistic baggage. So to say, in the public sphere, we are not like billiard balls (each ball corresponding to certain caste or religion, etc) which have no relation with other except in collision. It also reminds us of the profound union and integration as universal citizens in the public sphere in the country as envisaged in the Indian constitution. The ruling, when implemented would maim such political minds who otherwise wouldn’t shy away from adopting dubious means like increasing hatred or prejudice in their road to election victory.
But then again it does beg a question whether a sense of proportion is lost with this apex court ruling? Optically, I am inclined to say it does, considering the injustice and suffering of various disadvantaged groups. As it was highlighted by the judges who voted against the ruling, the Constitution itself is engaged with the injustice and allows for the disadvantaged groups to rally around their religions, castes etc. It remains to be seen how Supreme Court addresses the question on campaigning for various socio-economic issues specific to particular communities, or religious minorities, etc in our democratic set up.
Yours etc.,
TFL Mawlong,
Shillong- 14
Will justice prevail?
Editor,
The unprecedented timing of the police raid on a ‘ Guest House ‘ owned by the sitting MLA of Sohiong who is also the Home Minister in the Congress-led Government has raised a lot of questions and also demands for his resignation. On an equally obnoxious issue of rape of a minor girl in that same Guest House is the MLA from Mawhati who once led an underground outfit – the HNLC – against the Indian State. Both issues demand clear answers from the Government of the day. To sexually exploit an under-aged girl is not only a crime but an insult to the human dignity and that in a matrilineal society which every pressure group speaks of. Apart from the CSWO led by Agnes Kharshiing, where are the other MLAs, NGOs etc who love to brag about their love for the Khasi race. It is an insult to our democratic system and also an abuse of the Constitutional office which has empowered these legislators. There is nothing called ‘political vendetta’ when young people are physically and emotionally exploited and abused. The police as we know have their hands tied since to issue an arrest warrant on a sitting legislator like Julius Dorphang will require the Speaker of the House to make appropriate recommendations. The state police department’s reputation is now at stake. Can they be trusted to bring the matter to its logical conclusion? Is Julius Dorphang really gone AWOL? Or are the police finding it difficult to arrest him because he is lodged in the home of a senior Congressman who has always been his patron? We can only wait and watch to see if justice will indeed be done?
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong -3
Sluggish postal service
Editor,
I frequently send my research-based books – ‘Great Minds on India’ to USA, UK, Australia et al. No regrets when I send the parcels through private couriers like DHL or Fed-Ex. They usually deliver the books within 4-5 days. The delivery time has not exceeded beyond a week so far. But this time I have chosen the India Post’s Speed post to send the parcel. I felt quite sure that after the Modi Sarkar, postal efficiency must have improved. But my positive expectation hit rock bottom. My 8 kg parcel dispatched on 2nd December 2016 — which cost me Rs 6555, has not yet been received by the consignee in Houston. Well, keeping in mind the urgency of the parcel and also being skeptical of India Post, I have started dashing off the complaint emails from the 6th day of the booking. So far, I have sent four emails about the non-delivery to the Director General Postal Services, Delhi and also the secretary of the concerned ministry. Of course, these big officers have responded to my complaints but it’s like beating around the bush. Even after their high-level efforts the parcel has not been delivered yet. It all seems the wings of the Indian Speed Post has been further clipped.
Here what is most disillusioning is that this non-delivery has brought untold miseries to me and my people in Houston. Yes, a series meetings and events associated with the books which were fixed up by NRIs in collaboration with other literary institutions in Texas, have already gone awry. People there got know how inefficient the Indian postal department is. What a huge irony, when you hear of the high-pitch announcement of digitalization and the claim of the swiftness in communication of the Government! It has not yet made the sluggish postal department any smarter.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali
Shillong-2