— Parimal Y. Mehta

Mumbai

• Shekhar Gupta has very nicely analysed the mind of the Indian voter in ‘Sadak aur sarkar’ in the recent elections held in MP, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and J&K. The Indian voter has become mature; he casts his vote in the assembly elections with an eye on the visible developmental and civic works in his state while for parliamentary elections he exercises his choice, keeping his watch on national issues. Voter behaviour has become more sophisticated and unpredictable. Political leaders, as also the pundits and psephologists who fail to acknowledge that change, will cut sorry figures.

— Dilbag Rai Chandigarh

Four cheers

• This refers to ‘Sadak aur sarkar’. This new trend is for the following reasons. One, people are tired of old promises in the name of caste, religion, and fear. Kashmiris are getting killed by seperatists (They have seen ill treatment handed to Muslims who migrated to Pakistan at the time of Partition.). Two, increase in number of young voters. Three, use of electronic voting machines has led to transparent election process. Four, voting is on the basis of development issues, where voters of one state are inspired those of other states. It’s like a movement.

— Nikhil Sharma Nagpur

Off the cuff

• The recent amended provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) stipulate that no arrest be made by police in those cognisable offences where the maximum term of punishment is seven years or less, but what would happen if an offence under this category is classified as “non-bailable”? Would the police issue a “notice of appearance” instead of arresting a person accused of such an offence? It would make the provision of seeking a bail from a competent court in such offences redundant. This aspect should not have been overlooked while amending the CrPC. No doubt, the arrest should be made only in exceptional circumstances as also has been observed by the Supreme Court time and again; but without comprehensive amendment worked into all the relevant statutes the new provision will not take us very far.

— Hemant Kumar

Ambala