Editor
It is shocking to learn that a Pakistani court on Tuesday sentenced former military ruler, Gen Pervez Musharraf to death for high treason. The case relates to subverting of the Constitution in 2007. The court found the ailing 76-year-old retired general, now living Dubai on self-exile, guilty of high treason by abrogating the Constitution and imposing extra-constitutional emergency in Pakistan in November 2007.
It may be recalled that Nawaz Sharif, whom he deposed in 1999, was elected PM in 2013. He initiated a treason trial against Gen. Musharraf and in March 2014 the former general was charged for high treason. But in a statement issued from a hospital bed earlier this month, the former Army general described the case against him as ‘baseless.’
The case against him was born out of personal vendetta as Nawaz Sharif initiated a high treason trial against him. It is a fact that Pakistan’s politics has bogged down in the quagmire of personal vendettas. If it is Musharraf today, tomorrow it would be Sharif. It is high time that Pakistani rulers stopped raking up the past of the former rulers and initiating cases in the court so as to exterminate such rulers. The time devoted to conducting cases by these petty leaders can be utilized for the betterment of Pakistan. Why can’t they understand the futility of such exercises? Their hearts are full of hatred and love has no place in them.
Yours etc.
TK Nandanan,
Via email
Food adulteration
Editor,
The illegal practice of adulteration of food items is increasing at an alarming rate in the city. The adulteration of food items is affecting people’s health. Despite being aware of the fact, the authorities concerned are allowing traders to sell such adulterated food items. All sorts of adulteration especially in food and milk are serious crimes. People’s health is worsening due to adulteration. They have to spend large sums of money on treatment.
It is very difficult to find a sector of food industry which is free from adulteration. From raw vegetables and fruits to milk and milk products to fish, meat and processed food–every food item is contaminated. Almost every day in the news papers, reports on food adulteration appear. Carbide, formalin, textile colors, artificial sweeteners, DDT, urea etc. are used rampantly for this purpose. The government should make laws that can stop this inhuman practice with immediate effect.
I request the concerned authorities to look into the matter and take serious steps to control this practice.
Yours etc.,
Pinaki Nandy,
Via email
Why target students?
Editor,
Whatever our beloved country is witnessing today is really worrying. Students of universities are being targeted by police across the country when they raise their voices against the controversial newly passed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Is it not appalling that young students of universities who are the country’s future are being labeled anti-national and are heartlessly being beaten, attacked by teargas and some even killed? According to latest news three students of Jamia University, Delhi have killed by Delhi police shamelessly only because they were protesting and raising their voices against the Act which has caused anguish in each part of the country and which seeks to target a particular community. What kind of message are we conveying to the upcoming generation?
It is high time for the Government to reconsider this controversial Act on account of the sharp reactions across the country on this Act. It must be noted that the protests against the CAA are spontaneous and cut across caste, colour, region and religion. People are doing it to save democracy and the soul of the Constitution. People’s voices should be not ignored; rather it should be taken to heart otherwise it will smack of cruelty and injustice which is not going to be accepted as India’s history bears witness.
Yours etc.,
Abu Ammar,
Via email