Editor,
Apropos the column “TUR on the warpath” (ST July 25,2016) I would say that an organization which deals with issues concerning lives of the people will invite reactions naturally, both adverse and inverse. In this case I found TUR comparatively mute in case of the inhuman coal mining in Jaintia Hills than their take on uranium. I wonder in which world is TUR? The penetrating modern media with its trolls, slander, name calling and all that is mentioned at the outset of this column is, after all, a common part of this medium today. People and organizations have learnt to deal with it and there are many I can say who handle them with much ease and expertise. I agree with one of the letter writer on this issue who said that the attempt of TUR to drag third party intervention and to internationalize the issue (TUR pamphleteering to Bangladesh delegates who came to the NADI Festival to oppose mining) deserves condemnation from all sensible Indians. So, there will always be those who will make their opinions and comments. And kindly don’t try to advise us with your ethics in journalism. Around 70 percent of your column was a tutorial on journalistic ethics. It claimed as if we the letter writers are pseudo goons and TUR the holiest of all. You may tune in and educate yourself how to handle opinions, criticisms, trolls and comments from Google. There are enough instances there.
Yours etc.
- Lyngdoh
Shillong – 4
Irom’s journey
Editor,
This refers to your editorial “Irom Sharmila: the way forward” (ST July 29, 2016). Sharmila is a symbol of courage, strength and determination. 17 years after starting her hunger strike, demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Irom Sharmila has decided to end her fast on August 9 and contest the Manipur Assembly elections as an Independent candidate. Sharmila’s decision took everyone by surprise. She is the one who is respected a lot among women leaders. She is born for a cause and she has a perennial power to do it. Her non-violent resistance inspired collective protests against the Act in the north eastern States. She could make foreign media and human rights activists to recognise the problem in Manipur and small states in the north east.
While the atrocities, rapes, murders, harassment and illegal detentions may continue, her struggle has brought positive results. She has achieved much by her act though much remains still. India’s journey to nationhood has not been painless or free from blemish, but the bar for public accountability must continuously be raised. Her fast was a shame to us. The fact that she is choosing to end her fast now is just the last straw, it means our failure. Sharmila is an inspiration for India. She is a great lady with huge fighting spirit. Let us hope her dream comes true.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad – 15
Of caste discrimination
Editor,
Kudos to Silva Marak for her brilliant letter, “Caste prejudices on the rise” (ST, July 28, 2016). Recently, researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru University and University of Maryland have covered 42,152 households across the country. A whopping 27 per cent of the members of those households shamelessly declare that they practice untouchability. There must be some more people who cling to such inhuman prejudices without categorically declaring it to a study team for the fear of legal actions against them. This showcases modern Republic India almost seven decades after the Constitution proscribed untouchability. Where is the political will to translate the words of the Constitution of India into reality? How long will the hatred against anything which is not in conformity with high-caste-Hindu and cow-belt-Hindustan keep on snowballing? Not only does this growing intolerance jeopardize our national unity and fraternity but it also tarnishes India’s image abroad. It is a shame that Indians themselves who are Dalits or eat beef are facing escalating violent intolerance, hatred and untouchability in their very own land. If India is to remain united and to do well in her foreign policy, such myopia causing agents need to be quarantined. Further, India badly needs immediate political movement and monitoring to implement Article 17 of the constitution of India which says, “Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of ‘Untouchability’ shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law”.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata