Akali leaders must close ranks

With reference to the editorial ‘SAD at a crossroads’; discontent has been simmering in the party since the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was ousted from power in the state in 2017. The fact that the party could manage just one seat in the recent Lok Sabha elections has compounded the crisis. Punjab is a border state, and the Akali Dal has long played a pivotal role in checking Sikh radicalisation. The onus is on party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to address the concerns of the dissenting leaders instead of brushing the growing revolt under the carpet. The Akalis can still win back Panthic voters and regain the support of farmers if they get their house in order.

Bal Govind, Noida

Badals on the back foot

The SAD, once a formidable political force, now stands on the brink of collapse. Its legacy has been tarnished by missteps and internal strife. The party’s predicament is stark: it must reclaim its lost credibility or fade into oblivion. The electoral setbacks have exposed deep fissures within the party. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has been facing growing rebellion from senior party leaders, has also come under the scanner of the Akal Takht. The ghosts of past blunders — sacrilege incidents and police crackdowns — haunt the Badals. The Panthic voters, once loyal to the Akalis, now feel betrayed. The party’s exit from the NDA in 2020 over the three contentious farm laws was a belated move. On the other hand, Sikh radicals have been gaining ground. The Akali Dal must shed the ‘one-family party’ label if it wants to regain the lost political space.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

SAD state of affairs

Apropos of the editorial ‘SAD at a crossroads’; it is time for party president Sukhbir Singh Badal to read the writing on the wall and pass on the torch to another leader. The Akali Dal has faced a steady decline on his watch. The role of a regional party in advocating for the interests of the state cannot be understated. A large-scale rejig is the need of the hour. The party must go for restructuring if it wants to win back the trust of farmers and Sikhs.

Beant Singh, by mail

America should dump Trump

With reference to the article ‘Biden out, but Trump may still win’; I beg to differ with the views expressed by the author. Joe Biden has apparently withdrawn from the presidential race in view of the concerns surrounding his advanced age. However, he was quick to endorse Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. The world is not going to forget the chaos that marked Donald Trump’s term as the President. His refusal to accept the outcome of the 2020 election had prompted his supporters to storm the Capitol building. Trump is notorious for leaning into such tactics. Can America afford another term of the business tycoon-turned-politician? No. Kamala is the one who seems destined to become the next President of the US.

Manoharan Muthuswamy, Ramnad (TN)

Protect Indians working in Israel

Since the Hamas attack on Israel in October last year, there has been barely any letup in the Gaza war. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives. Every single day in the region is marked by gunfire and explosions. But the issue of unemployment is so grave in India that many workers from our country are willing to risk life and limb by seeking a source of livelihood in a war-torn region. As many as 4,825 workers from India — most of them from Uttar Pradesh — are currently working in Israel under an agreement. It is incumbent on the Centre to ensure their safety.

Jakir Hussain, Kanpur

Get the House in order

The current session in the Lok Sabha has been marked by chaos that is characteristic of an arena of free-style boxing and not the august House. Opposition leaders often engage in shouting bouts with the leaders of the ruling regime. They even disregard repeated warnings from the Speaker. This only leads to the adjournment of the House. All Members of Parliament should have to undergo a training session on the importance of adhering to parliamentary rules and protocols.

Anil Vinayak, Amritsar

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