Rule of law should be paramount

Apropos of ‘GST reforms’; sound reasoning endorses the proposed shift from departmental arrests to judicial oversight to curb harassment of taxpayers. Quick conclusive redressal of disputes is essential. An immediate Centre-state consensus must bring transport fuels under the pan-India GST ambit, not only to reduce logistics costs by promoting their movement through pipelines instead of roads, but also to curb the glaring disparity in VAT rates — just 1% in the Andamans, 35.2% in Telangana. Bringing alcohol under its ambit is another lingering challenge for the GST Council.

Refer to ‘Punjab’s politics needs change’; the people of the state, who had high hopes from the Aam Aadmi Party, gave it a chance in 2022 only to be let down. AAP, which had promised to create jobs and improve state’s revenue, failed to meet people’s expectations. Voters are at a crossroads, wondering which political party to vote for. While there seems to be no end to factionalism in Congress, the SAD has failed to change its leadership, further disappointing the people.

Refer to ‘Khaps must evolve with times’; we are living in the 21st century. Education, mobility, greater interaction between young men and women and exposure to a globalised world are inevitably transforming social relationships. Young people cannot be expected to surrender their personal choices to customs framed for a very different social order. Attempts to forcibly restrain this change can create conflict and even put young lives at risk. Interestingly, khaps are increasingly wearing multiple hats — as farmers’ representatives, caste leaders and social crusaders — sometimes becoming instruments of political mobilisation and caste consolidation, thereby deepening social divisions.

Apropos of ‘Khaps must evolve with times’; a democratic society cannot tolerate parallel structures overriding individual rights. The author rightly notes that reform must pass the test of legality, fairness and human dignity. If khaps wish to remain resilient community anchors rather than obsolete relics of regimentation, they must abandon moral policing. True survival lies in championing education, gender equity, creating constructive opportunities for the youth, and preserving regional identity through enlightened reform rather than cultural orthodoxy.