Sambhal incident a wake-up call

Refer to ‘Sambhal mayhem’; Sambhal is no different from other troubled areas where political and religious leaders need to take on responsibility. The ensuing political blame game has made things worse. The outbreak of violence suggests that there were gaps in the preparedness of the authorities. People in power must stop using such conflicts as props to bolster their political narrative. This is another wake-up call for systemic changes. The Sambhal deaths should stir leaders from all parties to stop putting political gains above national interest.

Anuja Jain, Jammu

Foster communal harmony

With reference to ‘Sambhal mayhem’; the clash between protesters and the police in Sambhal is an unfortunate development. An investigation must be carried out to ascertain whether the police and the members of the survey team were also responsible for mishandling the situation. It is true that such cases are raised in court only to push the political agenda of dividing society. One wonders whether it is the right thing to rake up the past to provoke animosity between two major communities. Such practices vitiate the social ecosystem. The administration, judiciary, political and religious leaders are contributing to exacerbating communal disharmony in the country. We must try to foster communal amity, a prerequisite for India’s development.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

Out-of-the-box initiative by cops

Apropos of ‘Guiding the way’; keeping in mind the future of young students, the initiative by the Faridkot police to award an unusual punishment is a welcome move. Such out-of-the-box initiatives have never been seen in Punjab. The kids’ parents must also be involved in making sure that they do not repeat such mistakes. The police officials on duty must also be appreciated as they maintained their cool despite having the power to handle such offenders with strict measures. However, if such acts get repeated, an exemplary punishment as per law must also be given to ensure a safe and disciplined society.

Rajesh Chander Bali, Jalandhar

Adopt friendly approach

Apropos of ‘Guiding the way’; adopting punitive and retributive steps to make youngsters realise their mistakes would have an adverse impact on their mental health. An affable approach premised on compassion and empathy would bring about the much-needed change in their behaviour. Parents and teachers must guide them properly through innovative measures that would act as a catalyst for their growth and development. To correct and refine them, recreational and creative ways that make their growth inclusive and learning experience exhilarating must be adopted. All stakeholders must work collectively to guide them by imparting the right kind of lessons and make them better citizens.

Ravi Sharma, Dhariwal

Modi might try to help Adani

With reference to ‘Adani ripples in the neighbourhood’; PM Modi’s ties with beleaguered industrialist Gautam Adani pose a tremendous risk to India’s economic interests overseas. Kenya cancelled the airport and power transmission deals with the Adani Group after he was indicted by the US. In Bangladesh, the High Court has ordered an inquiry into the government’s controversial power purchase agreement with Adani. Our nation’s foreign policy cannot be subordinated to the interests of one business conglomerate. People fear that the PM may strike a deal with Trump to help Adani, but that will cost India dear.

Capt Amar Jeet (Retd), Kharar

Higher stakes for US in Ukraine

Refer to ‘Ominous escalation in Russia-Ukraine war’; amid the deployment of North Korean troops and the persistent threat of nuclear weapons, the US is getting more involved in the Russia-Ukraine war. Donald Trump has vowed to end the war within 24 hours, in stark contrast to the present US stance of providing the maximum possible aid to Ukraine. The possible outcomes can be the continuation of the long war; a shift in the Western policy forcing Russia back to the pre-2022 demarcation line; or Ukraine’s surrender to Russia.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh