B’desh haunted by ghosts of past
Refer to ‘Dacca-Dhaka/1975-2024’ (The Great Game); one couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu as Sheikh Hasina stepped down as the PM and fled Bangladesh in the face of growing protests. After all, who can forget the 1971 Liberation War or the coup of 1975? But those who ousted Sheikh Hasina from power do not have a clear and coherent vision for the future of Bangladesh. The group of protesters is made up of people with disparate ideologies. Now that Muhammad Yunus, a scholar of international repute and Nobel laureate, is at the helm of affairs in Dhaka, there is hope that members of minority communities will be shielded from mob violence and vandalism.
Raj Bahadur Yadav, Fatehabad
Regional stability at stake
Apropos of ‘Dacca-Dhaka/1975-2024’; the column has rightly underscored the need for India to tweak its strategy in the wake of the formation of a new interim government in Bangladesh. Now that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been ousted, New Delhi’s focus should be on engaging deftly with the new regime. India continued to express support for the Awami League government even when the US called into question the credibility of the general elections held earlier this year that had handed Hasina another term. So, it should actively seek dialogue with the new government and offer diplomatic and economic support to the neighbour to ensure that bilateral relations do not suffer. Ensuring regional stability is the need of the hour.
Chanchal S Mann, Una
Misuse of probe agencies
The grant of bail to former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia marks a triumph of justice over political vendetta. His release from prison after 17 months is a reminder that bail should be the norm, not jail. The SC verdict is in line with a position that the court has reiterated several times — that bail should not be withheld as a form of punishment. Since the beginning, the case has raised questions about the misuse of investigative agencies, highlighting the complex interplay of politics and the judicial process. It is imperative to ensure that the law is not weaponised to target the Opposition. Sisodia’s release gives hope to other AAP leaders embroiled in legal woes.
Sewa Singh, Amritsar
Neeraj does it again
Javelin throwers Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra have both created history at the Olympics by winning gold and silver, respectively. This marks a high for South Asian athletes. Neeraj, who has once again won over a billion hearts, has now made it to the pantheon of the greatest athletes in the world. By clinching the silver medal this time, Neeraj has proved that his stellar performance at the Tokyo Olympics was no fluke. His success at the Games has inspired millions of budding sportspersons.
Pooja, by mail
No country for girls
Refer to the story ‘Jind school principal rapes Class IV student’; it is a matter of shame that in Haryana girls are not even safe in school. The incident scars the sacred relationship between a teacher and a student. When even school principals prey on vulnerable children, the much-touted government slogan of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ rings hollow. Haryana has sadly become one of the most dangerous states for women. The perpetrator must face stringent punishment.
Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar
Rapist must get harsh punishment
Apropos of ‘Jind school principal rapes Class IV student’; the incident is a blot on the position that the culprit holds. The heinous act will shatter the faith that students have in their school authorities. Sending the disgraced principal to jail will not suffice. He deserves exemplary punishment. The incident has struck fear in the minds of youngsters. The onus is on the authorities concerned to assure the students of their safety. Besides, there is a need to overhaul the procedure to appoint headmasters or principals of schools in rural areas.
Col RS Narula (retd), Patiala
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