The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : New Year revelries

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Friday, Jan 04, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

New Year revelries

The molestation of two women outside a five-star hotel by a mob of about 70 men in Mumbai is shocking and despicable. The incident raises serious questions on New Year’s Eve celebrations on the streets. But for the initiative taken by a couple of media photographers, the situation could have taken an ugly turn. The police have ample evidence on hand to nab the culprits as they have their photographs. What is needed is stringent action against the guilty.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,

Srirangam

* * *

The police must take drastic action. The reluctance of the victims to register a case should be no reason for the culprits to walk free.

V. Ramaprasad,

Tiruchi

* * *

The incident is undoubtedly a shame. But it is also time to reflect on the factors that are increasingly leading to such incidents.

V.T. Joshi,

Bhopal

The incident was indeed tragic. There is no doubt that the perpetrators of the act should be punished. But it is wrong to blame the police. The women should not have risked going out on New Year’s Eve when many people on the streets are drunk and not in control of themselves.

It is better not to run a risk rather than expecting the police to offer protection everywhere. We too are responsible for our safety and security.

Safiya Sameena,

Vijayawada

* * *

The menace of New Year revelry has spread alarmingly across the country. Two women were molested outside a hotel and five persons killed in a road accident in Mumbai, and a software engineer died in Chennai.

The law will, of course, take its course and the cases will be closed with the passage of time. Another day dawns on the horizon but the morning sun glooms over those running helter-skelter in hospitals and police stations.

R. Gopalan,

Chennai

* * *

The revelry in Chennai which ended in a tragedy was avoidable. Aren’t there better ways of ushering in the New Year than dancing and drinking in posh hotels? Such celebrations are borrowed from the West and were unknown to earlier generations. Any culture which, instead of making life more pleasant, imperils people is best avoided.

G. Ramalingam,

Chennai

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