Apropos of ‘Unwarranted remarks: Canadian PM tests limits of diplomatic protocol’, Trudeau said nothing about India’s farm laws. His stance at the WTO on India’s agricultural trade practices is irrelevant in this case. What he did raise a concern about, as expected from any believer of democracy, is the Indian Government’s refusal to let the farmers enter Delhi for protesting peacefully. One can fully support farmers’ right to peaceful protest without agreeing with their agenda. Conversely, not allowing peaceful protests is fascism, a path the current government seems to have gladly chosen.

BALSHER SINGH SIDHU, PATIALA

Stalemate continues

The latest round of negotiations between the representatives of farmers’ unions and the government could not break the impasse. Farmers have hardened their stance. It remains to be seen what strategy is worked out by the government to resolve this intractable tangle. The protraction of the agitation will damage the growth of the economy substantially, apart from inflicting inconveniences upon the masses. It is incumbent upon the government to devise some acceptable solution to this disturbing and chaotic situation.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

Hidden agenda

The ongoing strike of farmers is growing stronger and stronger with each passing day, with more and more farmers joining the stir. The Centre was apparently not prepared for this. The farm laws were passed without taking the farmer unions into confidence. The farmers had not made any demand for such laws. What prompted the government to go for such laws so hurriedly, and that too when the country was in the severe grip of Covid-19? It smacks of some hidden vested forces behind the move to legislate these laws. Tensions are high on our borders. The stir of the farmers should not linger on. It is for the government to show flexibility and shed arrogance.

Santosh Jamwal, Hamirpur

Modi’s pride

Suppose the government enacted farm laws with good intention and for the benefit of farmers, but they don’t see anything good in these laws and are protesting. So, why the demands of farmers even in a democracy are not being considered? Either the theory of farmers is precise or it is Modi’s pride that's hindering the revocation of the farm laws. It has been Modi’s pride, when the CAA was enacted, special status of J&K was revoked, GST was implemented and demonetisation was announced. The force behind the execution of these decisions was simply the PM’s pride.

Rashpinder Singh, Mansa

Message of brotherhood

The protests by farmers have turned to be a blessing in disguise as these protests have brought people from all walks of life together for a common cause. The ones who are protesting in New Delhi are doing a daring job, but those supporting them being in their own houses also deserve accolades. People from different villages of Punjab are sending eatables to their brethren in Delhi. The dishes include sarson da saag and makki di roti and pinnis. Even some cooks from Malerkotla, a Muslim-dominated town, are sending different dishes to these farmers. This is enough evidence to prove that the people of Punjab are one during the time of crisis. The message of universal brotherhood is rightly being delivered to the rest of the world.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur

Memories of KU

‘Prof Datta’s bond with Kurukshetra’ made me nostalgic about my days in Kurukshetra (1964-66), where I did my postgraduate studies in physics. I entered the KU drenched by torrential rains to seek admission to MSc. I was not only late for the interview, but also had no money to pay the fee. But everything was sorted out by the magnanimous committee when it noticed my performance in BSc. With just four annas in my pocket on that day, I came back home in 1966 with a gold medal and some money saved from the scholarships. It was the university authorities (Lala Suraj Bhan, Dr HS Hans, Dr Vikas Mishra) and my legendary teachers who saw me through those difficult times. Pray we still have such people around. Forever indebted to my alma mater!

Surindra Lal, Patiala

Life of values

‘Commitment to freedom and justice’ stands for values that are rare today. The writer’s father was the epitome of a model teacher, worth emulating by the present generation of teachers. He stood for open thoughts with freedom to the students to dissent from what is heard or read. His pedagogy is the need of the hour when values like freedom and justice have become rare in public life. Indeed, it is the teacher who can instil these values. This calls for a need to impart training in leadership skills to teachers in schools and HEIs.

S Kumar, PANCHKULA

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