Editor
I am writing to express my deep appreciation for this article by Arun Srivastava: “PRIME MINISTER SHOULD GIVE UP HIS EGO AND REPEAL LAWS” (ST, Jan 6, 2021). Unfortunately hard-heartedness, or heartlessness is often misunderstood as firmness. Yet the two are total opposites. For, as Gandhiji said, firmness comes from love. But Mr. Modi’s government does not appear to love the ordinary Indian citizen or the underdog.
In general theocracies do not work. When capitalistic they become even more dysfunctional. For God and mammon were never meant to go together. Love of money hardens the heart like nothing else. Ethical forms of patriotism and nationalism should translate to love for the underdog and the ordinary citizen — not love of power or money!
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email
Mawkhar church affairs
Editor,
Apropos the news report, Charge sheet against Mawkhar church fraudster likely this month (ST Jan 6, 2021), as a member of the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church I am deeply saddened that a matter in which church funds meant to be used to assist the poor and downtrodden was instead used by some devious members to feather their own nests. This is unprecedented but what is worse is that politics seems to be playing a dirty role to protect the fraudsters. When religion and politics mix things can get very ugly and this is exactly what has happened in the present case that was detected since 2019 but has come nowhere near closure. May I ask what is it that hinders Meghalaya Police from timely investigation and charge-sheeting the culprits in this case? We as church members need to know what is it that the police are looking for. As far as I know, all documents and books of accounts have been provided by the Church authorities to the police. How long does it take to establish guilt? At this rate will anyone ever be booked for any crime in Meghalaya? It makes us frustrated and pessimistic about the very existence of a police force that is not known to play by the rules.
What also is baffling is that the pastor-in-charge at the time of the commission of the crime who had since that time not attended church services is now being admitted back by the Synod and will probably be given a new assignment. What sort of justice is this? Does forgiveness in Christianity not mean that the person has to first repent? And what about the unjustified suspension of Rev K Pyrtuh by the same church merely because he differed with the Synod on the issue of Aadhar Cards? Rev Pyrtuh has been an RTI activist and has his own methods of serving a social cause which to the church may be unorthodox but I can say without any doubt that his actions are what Christ would have commended.
It’s a sad state of affairs when murky goings-on within the church are to be decided by secular institutions that are given to all kids of predilections. I sometimes wonder which way Christianity is headed and whether Christ approves of what is happening in Christianity today.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Has NGT allowed coal mining?
Editor,
Meghalaya is back to the same old ugliness of vehicles being stranded on the way to Guwahati courtesy the hundreds of coal trucks that now block the way for other vehicles to proceed. The MDA government has allowed free transport of coal via Assam and beyond and we the public have to pay for this mess. What is the NGT doing? Has it allowed coal mining to resume in full swing? If not then how can coal be illegally mined and transported without anyone protesting? Does Meghalaya operate with rules that are different from those laid down by the Indian Constitution and the law courts? If I recall correctly the apex court had clearly stated that coal cannot be mined without a Mining Policy and we don’t have that Policy as of now, so under what law is coal being mined? Is it not a case of the State Government itself allowing the illegality to thrive? If the Government is itself indulging in illegalities then who can hold it accountable?
An apathetic public that is too afraid to take on the coal lobby is what has emboldened them. Ministers make a cut from check gates without flinching. Meghalaya is destined to remain a failed state.
Yours etc.,
TR Mynsong,
Nongpoh