Court’s message

The Supreme Court of India’s observations on singing all six stanzas of the National Song, Vande Mataram, while bringing respite to lakhs of citizens, rightly bring back the issue to a fundamental constitutional principle: freedom of conscience (Front page, September 23). Respect for a national song may be encouraged, but it need not be rammed down a citizen’s throat. The Court’s reference to the Bijoe Emmanuel verdict — in the far less problematic National Anthem case, at that — is a timely reminder that a citizen may decline to sing when doing so conflicts with deeply held religious or conscientious beliefs. National symbols should unite citizens, not place their conscience on trial. A democracy is secure enough to distinguish between disrespect and conscientious dissent, and between voluntary, spontaneous patriotism and compelled conformity. One should not forget that there is more to patriotism than mere singing, sloganeering and chest-thumping.

M. Jameel Ahmed,

Mysuru

Unsafe Delhi

It is horrendous that the capital city has become unsafe and dangerous for women (“Delhi L-G directs formation of ‘Pink Force’ to curb crime”, September 23). Unless stringent laws are put in place and speedy punishment is ensured for perpetrators, such incidents will continue to occur and young lives scarred. It is the confidence of perpetrators that they can evade justice that encourages them to continue such abhorrent and abominable acts.

Balagopal Gopinath,

Keerikkad, Alappuzha, Keralam