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Sahitya Akademi Award controversy

Sir,

This is with reference to 'How Dogri missed Sahitya Akademi Award in 1988' by O P Sharma. While I cannot say what were the reasons that weighed with Shiv Nath and Ved Rahi to come to the decision being objected to, their bonafides need not be suspected simply because Dogri did not get the award for a particular year.

I have been a member of the jury several times and have often debated the view that in order to maintain the literary standard of the language, a minimum level of excellence must be insisted on for the award and there need not be a compulsion to give it every year. However, it is a different matter that every time eventually I and my colleagues did find some book and an author who really deserved it.

Yours etc...
Balraj Puri
b puri@nde.vsnl:net.in

Maharaja never wanted to accede to Pakistan

Sir,

Prof. K R Gupta an eminent educationist categorically refutes the charge that the Late Maharaja Hari Singh ruler of J&K State wanted to accede to Pakistan. There is no denying the fact that the geographical position of Jammu and Kashmir was a compelling force to enter into a stand still Agreement with Pakistan, as there was no Communication link with India. The Agreement was signed before 15th August, 1947. Pakistan did not honour the Agreement and stopped the import of essential commodities like petrol, salt, sugar, cloth etc. By forcing a strict blockade like post, telegraph, Railway and Bank operations between the State and Pakistan, the trade and prosperity of the State was paralysed. The Maharaja at no stage ever thought of acceding to Pakistan and he is reported to have said if he had to build a road through Bhaderwah and Kashmir via Chamba to connect the State with India, he would do so rather than go to Pakistan.

Those who criticise the Maharaj for not acceding to India before 15th August, should bear in mind that he was advised by Lord Mountbatten not to accede to any of the two dominions without ascertaining the wishes of his people by referendum, plesbiscite or election. Mahatma Gandhi is said to have conveyed the following message to the Maharaja ''There is no hurry, study the situation and do whatever you think best'' Under these circumstances the Maharaja was forced to sign the Instrument of Accession on 27th Oct. The terms and conditions on which the accession was accepted were very harsh and humiliating and he was forced to leave the State and live in exile. He was not treated in a manner he deserved. So far as personal status and the privy purse, the Maharaja was not treated like other rulers. There was no justification for mal treating the Maharaja. He could have been retained as a constitutional head of the State. History will not forgive our top politicians for committing so many ommissions and commissions in dealing with the Kashmir problem. This has led to Pandora's box and in the near future there appears to be no solution of the Kashmir problem.

The Maharaja was a great enlightened ruler. He was a true nationalist and a patriot. He would be long remembered for his valuable services to the people of the state.

Yours etc...
Prof. K R Gupta,
45 Extn II Subash Nagar
Jammu Tele No. 546057

Exhaust other options

Sir,

This is in reference to the news item, ''HC strikes down rule for admission in MA''., (D.E. 29th Oct 99) in which it was stated that Mr Justice O P Sharma of the State High Court, Jammu Wing has struck down the rule for the admission of MA in sociology and directed Jammu University to grant admission to the petitioners, Ravi Singh and Sheetal Charak.

The verdict, no doubt, has given relief to the petitioners who feel betrayed by the university authorities and were bound to demand that the judiciary must not hesitate to deal with the mismanagement and the prevailing misdemanour of the university authorities in general and sociology dept in particular. But at the same time it has raised many important question. Can a society or an institution like university afford to be governed through court decrees? Surely not.

Why the matter regarding rules and regulations were not thoroughly discussed and settled at the university level only? Why the matter became so serious that ultimately court had to intervene ?

Why the matter regarding the admission was not solved at HOD or dean of social sciences level? There is an army of officials at the administrative branch of Jammu university. What they have been doing ? Are they just making rules which violates constitution and viz-a-viz allowing court to interfere? Above all, would in future vice chancellor like to act merely on the directions of the court ? certainly not.

Next year admissions are not far-off. Jammu university authorities must ensure that whatever has happened in sociology department must not be repeated in any department at any cost. At the same time it is requested to all, that the trend of knocking doors of the court for every small reason must be stopped immediately.

The judiciary has proved to be the last resort to the aggrieved citizens who have no option than to knock the doors of the court and vis-a-vis it should step in only when all other avenues have been exhausted.

Yours etc...
Kamal Sangra
Police Station, Bhadarwah.