State and religion

Refer to the article ‘Should secular state control Hindu temples?’ (July 20); the separation of state and religion is imperative to uphold the secular fabric of the country. While the state may temporarily assume control of a certain religious institution on account of social welfare and mismanagement, it cannot reserve its obligations towards a particular religion. Either the state should be equally distant from all religions or when it extends aid towards one, it should not be selective with its treatment. Secularism has multiple meanings, but prejudice is not one of them. It is underpinned by the principles of freedom and equality and not by partisanship or favoritism.

Nissim Aggarwal, Chandigarh

Humanity exists

Reference to ‘Help pours in for cash-strapped villager’ (July 24); it is remarkable how social media is helping the needy more than the government ever will. The report created a huge impact on people, who reached out to help. People might say that the media is government oriented or promotes news that is paid, but this news has proven all critics wrong. It is heart-warming, and has proved the power of the media, because if today he is able to build his home, it will be because of the media. Great news in this pandemic that highlights humanity!

Zeenat, Zirakpur

Blessing in disguise

Apropos of ‘Online classes help reunite boy with kin after 9 years’ (July 23), during the pandemic, when a majority of parents, teachers and students are finding faults with online classes, these have proved to be a blessing in disguise for Abdul Razak who got reunited with his family. He might have lost all hope to be with his family again, but destiny had planned something else for him. Kudos to philanthropist Gurnam Singh and Col Karminder Singh (retd), who played a vital role in this extraordinary reunion.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur

Brings past alive

‘Missing those days of Tiaan’ (July 24) was gripping and inspiring, especially for young girls. The festival encouraged teenaged girls to inculcate the virtues of cooperation, patience and the spirit of mixing up with girls of their own age-group. Surely, those were the days of absorbing melody that would make the girls dance and sing to the tunes of rustic music and the thumping of an earthen pitcher. The five pieces of songs that girls would sing at such festivals represent the various stages through which a girl would have to pass in the past. The writer deserves kudos for the piece.

Ankita Sandhu, Ferozepur City

Need more sero-surveys

Apropos of ‘Nearly 25% of Delhiites may have antibodies’ (July 22), the finding indicates the possibility that one out of four Delhi residents may have contracted Covid-19 until June 20. This translates into a whopping 47 lakh people with temporary immunity, revealing a wide gulf between the contagion and its detection. The infection has already passed through a sizeable population in Delhi. If so many people did contract the infection and are asymptomatic, it brings down the infection fatality rate in Delhi. But there is no room for complacency. Given the valuable information uncovered from Delhi, sero-surveys must be conducted in other major cities, too, as they could indicate the possibility of herd immunity.

N Sadhasiva Reddy, by mail

Dissent is acceptable

Refer to the editorial ‘Defection is not dissent’ (July 25); the Supreme Court has firmly declared that ‘the voice of dissent in a democracy cannot be suppressed like this’. The judgment is significant as it confirms that dissent does not disqualify someone from his position. Ashok Gehlot should now fight Sachin Pilot in a democratic way. In politics, a politician may go against the party if he is lured with money and position, and yet, he cannot be disqualified. Again, democracy is all about accepting the other person’s will, irrespective of the consolidated result.

Abhijit Chakraborty, by mail

Threat from 4-laning

The ‘NH four-laning threatens houses in Kullu village’ (July 22) indicates lack of proper technology keeping in view the fragile strata of the mountain range at this project of national level, which is going to cost heavily even after its completion, keeping in view its cost of maintenance and ecological degradation.

RS Kishtwaria, Palampur

Covid stigma

Refer to the ‘Covid stigma, a new kind of racism’ (July 25); being a family member of a cured Covid patient, we had a bad experience from our neighbours and relatives. It is shameful how people treat Covid victims. Please, treat the victims as patients, not culprits.

PARUL SHARMA, SAMANA

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