Sir — Adulteration of milk is a common practice in India. It increases during the festive season owing to a rise in the demand for milk and milk products. Harmful substances like urea, detergent and even caustic soda are indiscriminately used as adulterants in milk. So much so that the World Health Organization has stated that if the adulteration of milk is not checked immediately, then by the end of 2025, 87 per cent of the Indian population might suffer from serious ailments like cancer. It is time the authorities took this warning seriously. Simply introducing medical insurance schemes will not be enough.

Md. Ahtesham Ahmad,

Burdwan

Stormy weather

Sir — It is disheartening that the devastation caused by the cyclone, Titli, cast a shadow on Durga Puja festivities in Odisha. Several pandals witnessed a low turnout as people had not recovered from the wreckage left behind by Titli.

But the worst sufferers were the farmers. They were expecting a healthy harvest, but crops in many places were damaged by the storm. The government must provide proper assistance to those affected.

Winter is coming; the reconstruction of damaged houses should thus be completed on an urgent basis.

Mohd. Usmani,

Mumbai

Sir — It is saddening that many people lost their lives and others were left injured owing to the cyclone, Titli. One cannot stop natural calamity, but can come forward to help those who suffer the brunt of the tragedy. The government, non-governmental organizations and citizens who can afford to do so should get together to help the people of Odisha. The authorities should also work on the meteorological department in the state so that news of such a calamity can be received in advance and the damages minimized through preparation.

M.U. Qasmi,

Mumbai

Sir — The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, should be lauded for the way he is handling the situation in the cyclone affected areas in his state. He personally monitored the rescue operations. Naidu had also shown promptness during Hudhud cyclone in 2014 that severely affected Visakhapatnam. Naidu has set an example of how to lead from the front during disasters.

R. Sekar,

Visakhapatnam

Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, addresses a public rally in Guwahati, India AP

All for a win

Sir — The chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Mohan Bhagwat, has, once again, raked up the issue of constructing a Ram temple in Ayodhya (“RSS calls for law to build Ram temple”, Oct 19). His timing — just before the five assembly polls and the 2019 general election — makes one suspect his motive. He is only trying to garner votes in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

An appraisal of some of the promises that Narendra Modi and the BJP made four years ago while coming to power would be revealing. Among other things, black money is yet to be recovered, employment growth has been sluggish, price of basic commodities has increased, farmers are distressed, certain segments of the country are still deprived of electricity, potable water, toilets, the women’s reservation bill has still not been passed. In such circumstances, Bhagwat’s urge to the government to construct the Ram temple in Ayodhya seems like a ploy to fan divisions and divert public attention from the failures of the Modi government.

S.S. Paul,

Nadia

Sir — Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has stirred the pot by encouraging his supporters to start preparing for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. It is irresponsible of an elected representative to make a statement that might stoke violence all over the country. One wonders what makes the BJP leaders and members of the sangh parivar so eager to construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya that they cannot even wait for the decision of the Supreme Court.

Further, why is it that whenever there is an election around the corner, there is a sudden outpouring of devotion for Rama?

It is clear that the saffron camp is playing the communal card to make political gains by exploiting the religious sentiments of common people.

Mohd. Rahmani,

Delhi

Sir — It is common for political parties to try and use religious issues to their benefit before elections to reap electoral dividends. The Ram temple is one such matter. The statement made by Mohan Bhagwat is thus worrying. It is time the citizens understand the true intentions of political parties and choose their representatives responsibly.

A. Zafar,

Mumbai

Sir — It is regrettable that just ahead of the assembly elections in five states and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, right-wing organizations and BJP leaders have raised the Ramjanmabhoomi issue once again. The international working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Alok Kumar, even set a “deadline” for the BJP government to bring an ordinance regarding the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Bringing such an ordinance would hardly be difficult for the BJP. But doing so would lead to communal tensions across the country.

Mohd. Faheem,

Mumbai