Letters to the editor

There were high hopes from this World Cup, hosted in some of the loveliest islands in the world. However, these hopes were sadly belied.

— Ishtyaque Ansari, Bharuch

Betrayal of trust

• The reports on child abuse are really a strong and timely media effort to sensitise the public to the causes and effects of child abuse. A recent government survey shows that as many as 53 per cent of Indian children get sexually abused and the emotional, tragic and heart-breaking Nithari killings exposed the failure of society to react to the menace of child abuse. We, as a nation, have refused to learn the right lessons from surveys, media exposures and reports highlighting the ever-increasing threat of child abuse. A child’s abuse hurts because it means the death of innocence and the betrayal of a child’s trust in those who are meant to protect him or her.

Only a very strong media effort can really make a difference in curbing this crime, and we all need to be part of that effort.

— Vitull K. Gupta, Bhatinda

Small not beautiful

• This is with reference to the IE editorial, ‘Judge by merit’ (IE, April 7). The smaller parties seem to hold little respect for our legal system and the Constitution. State assemblies have sometimes openly criticised the decisions of the Supreme Court. Many of these parties demand votes in the name or region, caste, and religion, flouting our multicultural and secular polity. They stir up the emotions of the people by raising avoidable disputes over water distribution and inter-state borders. When they come to power, they defy constitutional norms by passing resolutions which fail to measure up to constitutional provisions. If our democracy is to last, these parties need urgent reform.

—Naval Langa, Ahmedabad