Covid lockdown experiment

Apropos of ‘Why Delhi chokes’; the Supreme Court’s query on why the Capital had a blue sky during the Covid lockdown despite continued stubble burning is a useful reminder that Delhi’s toxic air cannot be blamed on a single cause. The lockdown months offered an inadvertent but revealing experiment. This contrast reinforces what environmental experts have long maintained that vehicular pollution, construction and road dust and unregulated urban expansion contribute far more to Delhi-NCR’s chronic smog than the limited window of stubble burning. The court has reminded all stakeholders that accountability cannot be seasonal.

Vandana, Chandigarh

Combined effort will work

Apropos of ‘Digital arrest’; the Supreme Court’s call for a nationwide CBI probe reflects rising public frustration and government’s delay in taking decisive action. Real action, however, hinges on giving the CBI full operational independence, specialised training, adequate manpower, modern tools and unwavering support from both the Union and state governments. Banks, telecom operators and enforcement agencies must work seamlessly to plug systemic gaps, while public awareness and swift enforcement remain essential to curb this menace.

K Kumar, Panchkula

SAD must shed its ego

The Tarn Taran bypoll result has amply proved that the Akali Dal and BJP are no match for the ruling AAP if they contest separately. The Akali Dal is desperate to regain political ground but the odds are stacked against it. How hard the Akalis may try unilaterally, they can’t dream of capturing power in Punjab as the populist measures adopted by AAP are tempting enough to keep voters on its side. The only way out is a state government which has cordial relations with the Centre. The Akali Dal-BJP alliance can pull Punjab out of the uncertainty. The BJP has nothing to lose in the present scenario, but the Akali Dal must give up its stubborn stand.

Karnail Singh, Kharar

Punjab cannot afford blockades

The recent blockade of the Kurali-Mohali highway by farmers is causing repeated disruptions which is proving counter-productive and harmful to the state’s long-term interests. This newly developed route was intended to decongest the airport road, improve regional mobility and enhance economic activity across Mohali, Punjab and neighbouring states. Unfortunately, Punjab is increasingly being viewed as a ‘dharna state’, where public roads and highways routinely become sites of protest. While the right to protest is fundamental in a democracy, it cannot come at the cost of public inconvenience, stalled projects and economic losses. Punjab cannot afford to let repeated blockades stall its development trajectory.

Harjinder Singh Thandi, Mohali

The curse of poverty

Refer to ‘Children of a lesser God’; poverty is a curse that deprives many poor and marginalised families of dignity. The poor children especially are the worst sufferers. They are unable to grow like other children. They beg, do menial jobs to support their parent’s and family income to eke out a living. Despite several government schemes, there still remain millions who continue to face the curse of poverty and its concomitant effects. They deserve a humane treatment and the targeted approach of NGOs, governments as well as good Samaritans to make them lead respectable lives.

Ravi Sharma, Dhariwal

‘Misleading’ headline

The headline ‘Op Sindoor legacy of Guru’s valour: Modi’ seems to be misleading. By linking the military operation with Guru Tegh Bahadur’s legacy, the headline risks distorting the profound spiritual and historical significance of Sikh teachings. The Guru’s legacy is not about temporal power or military operations, but about spiritual courage, universal brotherhood and the protection of humanity’s right to live and worship freely.

Birendra Kaur, Chandigarh