No justification for brutalizing innocent civilians
Editor
This letter is in response to the article, “Israel, The Art of Crying Wolf & Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine,” by Kelsang Trinlay. While breathtakingly articulate and remarkable in its defence of the Palestinian people, this article, it seems to me, is biased in the opposite direction. Surely the truth lies somewhere in the middle? While Israel’s misdeeds (apartheid) against the Palestinian people are well documented and Israel’s military response to recent attacks by Hamas is a disproportionate, brutal, and unjust collective punishment of Gaza’s Palestinian people — free-will matters. History should never be used to gloss over the misdeeds of those who are violent. The author, it seems to me, has completely overlooked Hamas’ self-chosen (an exercise of free-will) recent crimes against perfectly innocent Israeli civilians through brutal actions of torture, rape, and murder of even children and the elderly. Nothing justifies such dastardly deeds, quite as nothing justifies Israel’s blood-stained, heavy handed hi-tech military response. Once again, we are dealing here with a David-Goliath, where both are evil. Moreover, Hamas has been known to be violent even towards the Palestinian people.
No historical excuse can ever justify brutalizing innocent civilians, whether Israeli or Palestinian. Besides, revenge is always wrong. For, an ocean of difference distinguishes just war and righteous self-defense — from revenge. In the immortal words of Gandhi, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Indeed, as a rabbi said recently, the main enmity is not between Palestinians and Israelis, but between those who subscribe to violence and those who do not.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email
Institutions must end ragging culture
Editor,
Through this letter in your esteemed daily, I would like to voice my opinion about the recent incident of ragging in North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Tura Campus, which is abhorrent and uncalled for. I condemn this act of pushing a student to perform for the fun of the senior even though stringent laws are imposed by the Supreme Court of India as well as The UGC (University Grants Commission).
The Supreme Court of India has defined ragging as, “Any disorderly conduct whether by words spoken, or written or by an act which adversely affects the physique or psyche of a fresher or a junior student is an act of ragging.” But if through ragging the decency and morals are violated, one’s body gets injured, if any wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation is involved then ragging becomes a legal offence. For such cases, there are certain punishments in UGC’s anti-ragging guidelines which includes a fine up to RS 25,000, cancellation of admission, withholding scholarship, debarring from appearing for exams, suspension or expulsion from hostel and rustication for a period of one to four semesters… ”
Ragging not only devastates the student’s self-respect and self-esteem but many students don’t understand the serious consequences of ragging. Rather most of them still dismiss it as fun and games and a part of entertainment. They fail to understand how severely ragging impacts the affected students.
Quoting from events in the recent past, students go through long periods of severe anxiety after being a victim of ragging. This anxiety can eventually result in insomnia and other physical problems which have a direct impact on studies. This causes acute stress in the student physically and takes a heavy toll on their mental health, resulting in PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Depression and sad to say, even suicide.
Even bright students are unable to deal with the trauma of ragging and sometimes have to quit college or eventually have poor academic results due to this heinous crime.
This ragging culture, nay this crime needs to be dealt with very sternly and the transgressors involved should be meted out severe punishment as per law established under the Anti-Ragging Act. There is an urgency to put an end to the rise of this ugly crime called “Ragging”! Period.
Yours etc.,
Chanmiki Laloo,
Via Email
Peace talks imperative to end Israel-Palestine violence
Editor,
This is with reference to Kelsang Trinlay’s article, “Israel, The Art of Crying Wolf & Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine” (ST, October 14, 2023). While the brutal attack on Israel by Hamas should be condemned, at the same time Israel’s occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, Sinai, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights cannot be supported. The recent order by Israel’s military to some 1 million Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza cannot be supported either. The world has failed 15 million Palestinians who have been suffering for decades from Israel’s oppression.
When I read Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice my heart bled for Shylock because of the way he had been publicly abused by Antonio. Yet I could not support his cold calculated attempt to have his revenge by taking a pound of flesh from the body of Antonio.
My heart goes out to the Jews because of the way they had to suffer from religious and racial hatred from the time of Shakespeare to the Holocaust. Yet that cannot justify their unlawful occupation in those areas. Israel must vacate their occupation in accordance with the two-state solution of the 1993 Oslo Accord. There must be peace talks for a lasting solution and peaceful co-existence of the two states.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Petrol pumps must be
open 24×7
Editor,
I write to express my utter disbelief and frustration at a shocking revelation that has taken me completely by surprise. Living in a state that aspires to become a smart city with advanced amenities for its residents, I expected that basic facilities, such as 24×7 access to petrol pumps, would be a given. However, recent events have shattered this expectation, revealing a deeply concerning issue in the “Scotland of the East.”
On a recent evening, around 10 PM, I found myself in dire need of refuelling my vehicle. Unfortunately, every petrol pump I approached in Polo was shuttered, leaving me stranded and astonished. By 10:20 PM, I made my way to Dhankheti, only to find the petrol pumps there had also closed their doors.
This situation is nothing short of a disgrace. It is beyond comprehension that in our state, petrol pumps do not operate 24×7, especially when places like Polo can sell alcohol round the clock. This incongruity highlights a fundamental problem in our priorities.
While this may seem like a minor inconvenience to some, it can have dire consequences for citizens. What if a medical emergency arises, and an ambulance needs petrol after 10 PM? What if individuals, traveling late at night, are left stranded because they cannot find an open petrol pump? Lives are at stake here!
To the concerned government department, I implore you to take immediate action. This is not just a matter of convenience; it is a matter of life and death. It is unacceptable that the people of our state should be left without access to this essential service after 10 PM. I urge you to rectify this situation promptly and ensure that petrol pumps in our state extend their operating hours to provide 24×7 service for the people. The well-being and safety of our citizens should be a paramount concern, and this issue cannot be taken lightly.
If the concerned department officials happen to read this letter, I beseech you to address this issue urgently. The people of our state deserve better, and it is high time we prioritize their needs over trivial matters.
Yours etc.,
R Sarki
Shillong