The Hindu : New Delhi News : First things first

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Monday, Jun 22, 2009
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New Delhi

First things first

In an interview to a TV channel the other day the new Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily indicated that the Government might do a rethink on the controversial Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises private consensual sex between adults of the same sex. It would be better and more appropriate if the Minister pays attention to the grossly outdated sections of the Indian Penal Code which add to the miseries of the common man and gets them scrapped.

Talking of priorities, the Law Minister would do well to give top priority to the more urgent problem of disposing of lakhs of pending cases in courts across the country.

Dr. M. Hashim Kidwai,

Ex-MP, C-501, Rosewood Apartments, Mayur Vihar Phase I, New Delhi – 110 091.

Women’s raj?

It is difficult to justify the idea being floated to enhance the strength of the Lok Sabha by one-third to about 700 members to accommodate the proposed quota for women under the Women’s Reservation Bill. It is senseless to add maharanis to the large fleet of maharajas in Parliament. The public is already bearing a huge cost for supporting the elected representatives.

How far is it justified to burden the public Exchequer just to retain the male politicians afraid to be out of Parliament because of females replacing them? Legislatures should not be turned into employment opportunities for politicians. The Supreme Court should intervene if Parliament is proposed to be misused to serve politicians’ interest at the cost of the taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

Madhu Agrawal,

1775, Kucha Lattushah, Dariba, Chandni Chowk, Delhi – 110 006.

Live-in or not?

More and more couples are opting for “live-in relationships” these days than tying the nuptial knot. Lately some State governments are considering legalising such relationships. Also, courts are approving of them. But a “live-in relationship” is a very complex social issue. It can be better appreciated if we consider its different forms in a proper perspective.

The first situation is where it develops between two unmarried persons and, second, between one married and the other single. The third situation could be where both the partners are married and opt to live in without severing their nuptial ties. In the modern age, no one should grudge if two adult unmarried persons opt to live together without getting married. The second and the third types, however, constitute adultery and the law of the land does not approve of such relationships. Giving them legal sanctity would throw up a plethora of social and legal problems. The social edifice would collapse. The legal structure, founded on the moral principles of right and wrong, would be negated. Reports in the media suggest that some feminist organisations are espousing and endorsing such relationships. If such organisations continue to do so, they would cause disservice to women’s rights.

Lajpat Rai Garg,

654, Sector 6, Panchkula, Haryana.

Too much traffic

Almost every day newspapers report deaths and injuries caused due to road accidents. Too much traffic on the roads is the main culprit behind these accidents. No government or political party has the will to streamline the traffic or de-congest the roads. They are busy offering cheap rice and atta at Rs.2 and 3 a kilo respectively or free colour TV sets, for doling out these sops ensures a stable vote bank.

Nowadays even walking on the roads is akin to walking in a war zone. Infrastructure such as roads, bridges and parking areas is not being developed in pace with the growing number of vehicles. Roads are bursting at the seams with their burgeoning numbers. For governments, paying “ex-gratia” to accident victims works out cheaper than investing in infrastructure. Managing traffic and strengthening the infrastructure for better vehicular movement should be prioritised not only for reducing the number of accidents but for building a prosperous nation as well.

L. S. Sudhakar,

Krishi Mahavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh.

Wheelchairs, please

Bangalore City railway station is reeling under an acute shortage of basic amenities, causing a lot of trouble to the passengers. Only one wheelchair is available at the station. It is handled by one porter whose mobile number is given to every passenger in need of the wheelchair.

This at times creates a very awkward situation. A number of trains halt at the station and the traffic is huge for the lone wheelchair. The Railway authorities must ensure that more wheelchairs are made available at this and other such stations.

G. K. V. Iyer,

Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.

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