Letters to the Editor: An Apology

Firm and Modest

This refers to the editorial, ‘Ways to remember’ (IE, June 30). On the 50th anniversary of the India-Pakistan war of 1965, the fittest tribute would be to remember our brave jawans and officers who laid down their lives defending the country. The government must utilise this occasion to speed up the implementation of “One Rank, One Pension”, which will serve as a morale booster for the armed forces. It’s also time to remember Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose clarion call “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” electrified the country. The 1965 war was significant for aerial combats and the IAF did a splendid job. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating military victories on Rajpath, but the show of strength must not send the wrong signals to Pakistan. The defence ministry must be firm but modest.

– Parthasarathy Sen, New Delhi

Mother Courage

The trauma of the victim who was socially ostracised is beyond words (‘One day, I’ll tell my girl her father was a rapist’, IE, June 28). The court should have confirmed the conviction and lauded the determination of the girl who withstood insults to raise the child. Or, while enhancing the sentence, the court could have asked the accused to bear all expenses of the child’s education. The victim has mustered exemplary courage to go it alone. Rape is too serious a crime to merit mediation. The order is retrograde and has set a dangerous precedent.

– Ganapathi Bhat, Akola

New Captain

Ajinkya Rahane’s promotion as captain of the Indian side came as a surprise. We need to stop trying to find excuses for every defeat. Rahane’s promotion is understandable, given his skill with a bat. But the selectors are a flop and the selection is a farce.

– C.K. Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai