People hold the key

Reference to the editorial ‘Downwardly mobile’ (Jan 24); spiritually, we are already sick and morally corrupt. The picture is grim but not irredeemable. There is a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel, and that lies in the indomitable spirit of patience that the people at present are showing in the matter of CAA-NRC-NPR. The ruling dispensation will not like it, but the truth of the matter is that the real masters of a truly democratic setup will guide as well as goad the self-styled ‘servants of the people’ to walk the talk. The day of reckoning is never far away.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Dialogue unavoidable

Refer to the editorial ‘Defiant against CAA’ (Jan 20); the CAA has opened up divisions along religious, ethnic and linguistic lines. Non-BJP state governments have passed anti-CAA resolutions in their Assemblies, calling it a divisive exercise. When Congress leader Kapil Sibal said states could not say no as it would be unconstitutional, he spoke like a lawyer. But later, when he backtracked and said states have the right to pass any resolution, he spoke like a politician. It has to be acknowledged that states have a right to challenge any legislation or policy, and they can assert their right to go to the apex court if it appears to be unconstitutional. But at the same time, it is a fact that unless the SC repeals the CCA, no state can refuse to implement it. In a federal structure such as ours, state governments are necessary for the smooth functioning of our polity. The Centre should try to have a meaningful dialogue with the states.

LAL SINGH, Amritsar

Not democratic enough

Reference to ‘India ranks 51 on democracy index’ (Jan 23); the Economist Intelligence Unit has declared India’s downfall on the Democracy Index. The score is 6.9 on a scale of 10. The BJP is trying to accelerate it by exploiting the fundamental rights of the people. The CAA, NRC and abrogation of Article 370 has led to protests in the nation. The government was responsible for economic downfall, and is now responsible for the downfall of democracy.

TANVI NAGPAL, NEW DELHI

Heart not in it

Apropos ‘10,772 cows, calves die in Sirsa gaushalas in 16 months’ (Jan 24), it indicates the lack of devotion as the overall figure of all areas is very high. These mute creatures are not ‘stray’, they are ‘abandoned’ by humans, the most selfish species on the planet, and in a country where they are worshipped. It has also exposed the working of government agencies. Animals deserve compassion. Lip service alone won’t work. Such institutions need to be run in the public-private mode, with people who actually care.

RS Kishtwaria, Palampur

Not yet alarming?

Apropos ‘Drastic decline in avian guests at Harike wetland’ (Jan 23), the survey by the World Wildlife Fund has found a drastic fall in the number of birds in the region’s largest wetland. This decrease shows the increase in the measures we have to take to protect our environment. Due to poor visibility, they are unable to locate water. We are interfering with birds’ natural migration patterns by polluting the environment. According to officials, this is not an alarming situation, as they expect more species till March, but does that mean one should wait till a situation gets out of hand?

Ayushi Bisht, Dehradun

Wrong chronology

As with most left-liberal intellectuals, the writer, too, does not have his chronology right (‘Piece de resistance’, Jan 24). Islamophobia predates the rise of Hindutva rather than the other way round. The latter, in fact, is, to a great extent, the result and a product of the former, rather than vice versa. The writer is blind to this fact due to his antipathy towards the present regime.

Kastinder Johar, Palampur

Blockade uncalled for

The writer is all praise for Shaheen Bagh protesters who have been holding to ransom 10 lakh commuters on a daily basis (‘Piece de resistance’, Jan 24). He sees in it pluralism and demonstration of religious diversity. I do not know how. How come he has not heard threatening and provocative statements from Shaheen Bagh? Protesting women should be advised to understand the CAA to know that it is not against Muslims. What was the rationale behind these protests, except walking into the trap laid by disgruntled pseudo-secular leaders and fanatics on account of being rejected by the people? Praising this uncalled for blockade of public road for over a month as ‘movement of this kind’, makes one wonder if he cares for the country, let alone persecuted Hindus in the other countries.

Shiban Khaibri, by mail

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