Editor,
I read the sharp reactions of Kajal Chatterjee in his letter to the editor on Bengal’s culture of violence (ST May 5, 2022). Chatterjee was responding to D. Bhattacharjee’s letter which appeared on May 4, 2022 in the same paper. Kajal Chatterjee as a true-blue Bengali is well within his rights to react to the views and comments of the former on Bengal’s culture of violence and the latter also is well within his rights to express his views and comments on the violence that continues to take place in Bengal over the last fifty years or so which include 30 years of CPM’s regime and continues to the reign of the present dispensation. Yes, what D. Bhattacharjee has written in his letter is correct and the ruling parties would not have come to power in Bengal without the tacit support of the people so also the culture of violence would not have thrived without the backing of the people because violence happens in Bengal mostly due to the high-handedness of the party/parties in power.
It is also a fact that D. Bhattacharjee has not mentioned anything in his letter about the violence that has taken place in other parts of India except in Bengal. That does not mean that he swept them under the carpet. The people of Bengal should be ashamed about the frequent occurrences of violence in their state perpetrated mostly by the cadres of the ruling dispensation during and post elections like during the CPM regime and the present regime. Even now the same culture is continuing unabated in Bengal which even people from outside and from Bengal are fed up of, I presume. The present people of Bengal especially the true-blue Bengali Bhadraloks as Kajal Chatterjee said should eschew and shun violence of any sort and forthwith withdraw support to the political party that indulges in, encourages, supports and continues to promote violence to further vested political interests. It seems Bengal’s political power has fallen into the hands of those who pollute the demography and polity of Bengal who find Bengal their home after migrating from across the borders with the tacit support of the ruling parties of the state. If it is so it is unfortunate indeed. Whither the good name of the once glorious Bengal ?
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Sr.Journalist,
Shillong-2.
Ka Phan Nonglait: First Khasi woman freedom fighter
Editor,
It is great news that finally a book on Ka Phan Nonglait, the first Khasi woman freedom fighter authored by supreme court lawyer Daniel Stone Lyngdoh a descendent of Phan Nonglait has been released. According to the book (S.T. dated April 30, 22) “Phan Nonglait not only assisted freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem against the British but was also instrumental in killing 32 British soldiers”.
It may be recalled that the Maitshaphrang together with the Seng Samla Jaiaw Laitdom had staged a Street Play titled, “Ka Drama jong ka Phan Nonglait” in different localities of Shillong and in Nongkhlaw village in the years 1994 and 1995 to highlight her contributions in the freedom struggle.
With the release of this book we urge both the Central and the State government to give due recognition to Ka Phan Nonglait as one of the great freedom fighters of the country.
Yours etc.,
Michael N.Syiem,
Via email
WHO not infallible
Editor,
The editorial “WHO’s credibility questioned” (ST Saturday May 7, 2022) is bold and apt. There are three degrees of lying – lies, damned lies and statistics. “Facts” are different from “truth” and nobody has a monopoly on “truth” and only morons live in a delusional denial mode. Judging the activities of the World Health Organization at the beginning of the so-called pandemic only fools would believe WHO if one scrutinizes its activities discerningly. But in a world where few make things happen, many simply watch things happen while the overwhelming majority do not know what is happening, as lies overshadow things. However, those who dishonour freedom of expression can do so at their own peril.
Yours etc.
V.K.Lyngdoh,
Via email
Whither press freedom
Editor,
The World press Freedom Index paints a grim picture of press freedom around the world. Freedom of the press is of paramount importance in democratic societies as it has an impact on the functioning of government, protecting people’s rights, fighting corruption, holding government accountable, changing wrong policies of government, ensuring justice and so on. Threats, coercion, pressure, intimidation, censorship, harassment and so on negatively impact the functioning journalists and the media.
By faring very badly, India has cut a sorry figure in the 2022 World Press Freedom Index. India has fallen eight places from 142 to 150 in the index of 180 countries. India was labelled “poor” together with Brazil, Mexico and Russia. The report pointed out that India is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists trying to do their jobs judiciously. Over the years, India has slipped to a worse state.
Freedom of the press enables the media to disseminate authentic and trustworthy information. Anything that stands in the way of dissemination of information is a real problem. People have the right to information. When restrictions are imposed on the press, people are deprived of their right to real and accurate information. When journalists are gagged, they are forced to report news in a distorted way. In a democracy, people have the right to judge rulers and politicians. This is done based on the information the media disseminates. Voice of people is echoed through the media. When the freedom of the press is curtailed, what is done is suppressing the voice of people. Indian Constitution lays down freedom of speech and expression. The functioning of the media must be regulated. On the other hand, unnecessary restrictions on the media will endanger the democratic system.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS
Kollam