Farmers getting raw deal

Apropos of the news report ‘Farm protester dead, 100 hurt as police fire tear gas, rubber bullets’; the death of a young farmer, Shubhkaran Singh, at the Khanauri border amid widespread protests has sparked a fresh uproar among members of the farming community. It is unfortunate that more than 100 protesters sustained injuries at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The government is to blame for the tragedy. In a democratic country, farmers would not be stopped from staging a peaceful protest for their demands. The government is letting the cultivators down. The sense of helplessness and disappointment these growers feel now could impact the outcome of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP will have only itself to blame if it faces electoral losses.

Saurav Suman, Patiala

Silencing voices of dissent

The firing of rubber bullets and the use of tear gas by the Haryana Police to disperse the farmers who are just fighting for their rights are condemnable. The cops deployed at the site of the protest have also used drones to drop tear gas on the agitators; it can cause the cultivators serious injuries. The senseless police action has already claimed the life of a young farmer. No more innocent lives should be lost. Further, those in power must not try to silence dissenting voices. It is not uncommon for the authorities in India to have anti-government posts on social media sites taken down amid such agitations. It is a violation of the right to free speech and expression.

Ekta Devi, Hoshiarpur

Farmers have right to protest

The death of Shubhkaran Singh, who was the sole breadwinner of his family, during the ongoing farmers’ agitation is tragic. It is high time the authorities stopped treating the growers, who have been holding peaceful protests, like terrorists or extremists. The Centre must try to understand their woes and address their demands. Police brutality against farmers that has been witnessed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders cannot be justified. The way the authorities are responding to peaceful protesters with force is a ‘murder of democracy’.

Aditi Salaria, by mail

Protect sanctity of elections

With reference to the editorial ‘Victory for democracy’; the use of unfair means in the Chandigarh mayoral polls had shaken the faith of the populace in the electoral process. The trust of the electorate is the cornerstone of fostering widespread participation in elections. Some have rightly expressed concern that if such misconduct could go unchecked in a mayoral election, the integrity of larger-scale electoral processes, where the stakes are significantly higher, may also be compromised. To prevent the use of unfair means, it is crucial to implement a comprehensive verification mechanism that ensures complete matching of electronic voting machine (EVM) votes with voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips. Transparency can dispel all doubts regarding the sanctity and credibility of Indian elections.

Prateek Bansal, by mail

A friend in need

Refer to ‘Close ties with Russia’; India’s steadfast support for Russia amid the Ukraine war despite the West’s objection is laudable. Moscow has always stood by New Delhi in the UN Security Council, vetoing resolutions against India to avoid discussions on sensitive diplomatic issues like the Kashmir dispute. New Delhi’s diplomatic backing for Russia amid the latter’s invasion of Ukraine is exemplified through the New Delhi Declaration. Both Russia and India must ensure that their bilateral ties are further strengthened. Besides, India must actively mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to restore peace in the region for the sake of humanity.

Amarjeet Mann, Una

The voice that captivated millions

Apropos of the obituary ‘A mesmerising voice that will live on’; the passing away of legendary radio announcer Ameen Sayani has left crores of Indians teary-eyed. He was always ahead of his time. He became the voice of Binaca Geetmala at a time when radio jockeys were unheard of. His voice captivated millions of music lovers, who would huddle around a radio set to listen to popular Bollywood songs of the day. To most Indians who loved film music, Sayani was the Pied Piper, whose unique and mesmerising voice compelled them to tune in to his show week after week.

Avinash Godboley, Dewas (MP)

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