Boost grassroots-level politics

Refer to ‘Priyanka consolidates Gandhi fief’ (The Great Game); Priyanka Gandhi’s presence in the Lok Sabha will certainly bolster the morale of the Congress. She is quite articulate and is able to strike a spontaneous rapport with the masses. But Congress leaders must not depend only on the Gandhis for creating a strong mass base for the party. Instead of criticising PM Modi, they should learn from his grassroots-level politics. Many veteran Congress leaders left the party as they felt sidelined. Rahul Gandhi has evolved his own vision and philosophy as a top leader, yet he needs to close the yawning gap between party workers and its elitist high command.

Raj Bahadur Yadav, Fatehabad

Congress must introspect

With reference to ‘Priyanka consolidates Gandhi fief’; the writer has raised a pertinent question: Why are the Gandhis so special and cannot be challenged? The answer is that the Congress has not introspected even after losing the Lok Sabha elections thrice. Its rout did not stop here as the grand old party has tasted defeat after defeat in the state elections as well, including the recent losses in Haryana and Maharashtra. The party has failed to prepare a second-rung leadership, and is unable to come out of the shadow of the Gandhis. The Congress should give a chance to leaders who can bring out the party from the deep morass. Blaming EVMs for defeats will keep lowering its position in the eyes of the public. It is time to act and learn from past mistakes.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Prioritise electorate over legacy

Apropos of ‘Priyanka consolidates Gandhi fief’; the party’s inability to introspect continues to empower its adversaries. Priyanka Gandhi’s consolidation within the family fiefdom underscores this stagnation. While her charisma might energise some, it does little to challenge the perception of a dynastic stronghold pulling strings behind a symbolic leadership. The Gandhis’ refusal to embrace accountability erodes the party’s credibility and fragments opposition unity. For the Congress to regain relevance, it must democratise leadership and prioritise the electorate over legacy. The nation demands leaders, not figureheads.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

Need stern action for cybercrime

Refer to ‘Beyond bans’; smartphones are proving catastrophic for everyone. No doubt these have made our lives easy, but we are paying heavily for this convenience. Children have access to all types of content on social media, which has resulted in issues such as anxiety, depression and bullying. Australia has taken the bold step of banning social media access for children under 16. Doing the same in India is a Herculean task, but we need a concrete solution to this problem. Collaborative efforts by parents, educational institutions, the government and the service providers is the need of the hour. At the same time, the government must take strict action against the perpetrators of cybercrime who are misusing technology.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur

Online content should be filtered

Apropos of ‘Beyond bans’; an outright ban on social media is not a viable approach for any country. It is true that social media has a profound effect on the impressionable minds of children. However, it should not be overlooked that it has been a boon for both academicians and students during the Covid-19 pandemic. The government should emphasise the need for vigilant cyber security mediators-cum-experts for social media content. It should be filtered efficiently before live-streaming on various platforms. Through collaborative efforts, we can curb the menace of unwanted content that inadvertently appear on online platforms and causes harm to young minds.

Rupinder Kaur, Ambala Cantt

Curb communal violence

With reference to ‘Targeting mosques’; it is surprising that civil courts across India have ordered an archaeological survey of mosques. Such an order violates the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. What is the logic of finding the nature of a religious place when a change of its character is prohibited under the law of the land? The question of suits being barred under the 1991 Act is pending before the apex court for more than four years. Its prompt decision is the need of the hour to stem the menace of increasing cases of communal violence across the country.

MD Sharma, Shimla