presidential election
Although the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance has a fair chance of electing its candidate as the President of India, this does not make the 18 July contest weak (p. 1, “Presidential Elections on 18 July). scheduled for”, 10 June). Who the BJP leadership chooses as its candidate will be a study of the party’s political strategy. At that time, the candidature of President Ram Nath Kovind was a Dalit outreach. There are social groups and sectors that require BJP’s attention, which may now be a possible factor. It will also be interesting to see if some of the NDA allies need an alliance. The game plan of the opposition will be even more interesting. The word of a weak Congress may not be the most important factor in choosing a united opposition candidate, a reality that Gandhi may have to accept. The Leader of the Opposition wants to topple the Congress. This could prove to be a dress rehearsal for the opposition’s plans for the 2024 general election.
N Sathasiva Reddy,
Bangalore
It is an opportunity for the opposition parties to show unity by fielding a joint candidate before 2024. They can demonstrate their resolve to fight the BJP. The election is bound to acquire an ideological color as any electoral battle is inevitably associated with an ideological battle. Whoever is elected to the highest constitutional office should be more concerned with upholding the Constitution than anything else. The incoming president may have to play a key role in the event of a hung parliament in 2024.
G David Milton,
Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Juvenile and Justice
The concept of juvenile justice needs to be revisited. The concept of ‘mental maturity’ has undergone a drastic change. Today, the average teen has a greater knowledge input about the Dark Globe than teenagers of an earlier era, who had limited exposure to the world. The Internet, social media, movies and television, and news reports are changing their minds as well. Society has also changed from its presumed innocence of earlier decades.
The recent case of gang rape of a minor girl by minor boys in Hyderabad should be an eye-opener. If a minor can repeat the offence, he is not a minor mentally. Rape, in any case, is heinous, and the word ‘minor’ should not apply.
R Thomas Paul,
Bangalore
women’s cricket star
Mithali Raj’s name always stands out when it comes to Indian women’s cricket. She will be known for building her career to overcome all the pressures that are usually associated with sportspersons, especially women, in India. It will be difficult to replace this “Lady Tendulkar”. However, Mithali can give a lot more to Indian women’s cricket through coaching.
Ganpati Bhat,
Akola, Maharashtra
Mithali Raj will be remembered for the fact that she is the star of women’s cricket. Her journey is a source of inspiration for many Indian girls. There is an expectation that she will continue to play a role in shaping the future of young talent.
Chiruvella Sarathbabu,
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
Women’s cricket has been transformed in a remarkable way; Mithali Raj has contributed significantly in popularizing the game in India. His retirement will create a void.
P. Victor Selvaraj,
Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu