Look deeper
Sir — It is not uncommon for celebrities to be scrutinised for every little action. During the event celebrating the launch of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, the actor, Varun Dhawan, abruptly deadlifted the American supermodel, Gigi Hadid, during his performance and planted a peck on her cheek. Although such gestures are not exactly unheard of in Bollywood shows, Hadid seemed to have been surprised by it at first. While both artists later clarified that the gesture was pre-planned, this was not enough to quell the uproar against Dhawan for his seeming lack of understanding of consent. The reactions reminded one of a similar incident involving Shilpa Shetty and Richard Gere. It is time people stop taking everything at face value when it comes to celebrities.
Monica Chatterjee,Calcutta
Vital concern
Sir — It is disheartening that the Gujarat High Court has rejected the Central Information Commission’s order asking the Gujarat University to furnish the educational documents of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, to the Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal (“If Modi has degree, why not show it: Kejri”, April 2). While the disclosure of educational degrees does not fall within the ambit of the Right to Information Act, the high court fining Kejriwal a sum of 25,000 rupees for merely seeking such information is uncalled for.
There have been serious concerns about the veracity of Modi’s educational qualifications. The prime minister’s persistent silence on the issue has only fuelled speculation. He should clear the air about the matter in the interest of the public.
S.K. Choudhury,Bengaluru
Sir — According to electoral rules, if Narendra Modi’s educational degrees are found to be fake, he may lose his membership of Parliament. The Aam Aadmi Party has used this logic to question the prime minister’s educational qualifications several times in the past.
However, its latest bid seems to be a way to deflect attention from the charges against its senior leaders, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, in various corruption cases.
Bishal Kumar Saha,Murshidabad
Sir — Arvind Kejriwal’s argument that details about Narendra Modi’s educational qualifications are crucial since the latter takes important decisions every day does not hold water. One does not require fancy educational degrees to run a country. Some sort of formal education, with knowledge about the country’s past and present, its social, economic and cultural aspects, and a will to serve the people without bias are the only things needed to be a credible leader.
Mihir Kanungo,Calcutta
Smart policy
Sir — It is evident that the West, particularly the United States of America, is irked by India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war (“Unanswered queries”, April 1). Ever since the war began, New Delhi has repeatedly abstained from voting on key resolutions adopted by the United Nations against Moscow, refused to subscribe to Western sanctions against Russia and also avoided harsh criticism of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. This is because India pursues a rational foreign policy that places the protection of national interests above everything else.
This has allowed India tangible benefits — India has been purchasing Russian oil at a significant discount. It has also helped India keep equidistance from the warring sides and maintain stability.
Surendra Panagariya,Bengaluru
Kindred spirits
Sir — The comparative analysis of the democratic credentials of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, was illuminating (“Walk the talk” Mar 31). Both leaders are known for their suppression of dissent — an integral aspect of democracy. These two leaders are authoritarians in the guise of democrats. This is worrying.
India is the largest democracy in the world. Therefore, democratic institutions being subjected to threats in India will have an impact around the world.
Aranya Sanyal,Siliguri
Unhappy place
Sir — The editorial, “Lonely furrow” (April 2), which comments on the unhappiest — loneliest — jobs in the world was an eye-opener.
It is unfortunate that the pandemic-induced work-from-home culture is still being practised by several multinational companies, especially Information Technology firms, in order to reduce expenditure. This is depriving people of regular office interactions and coordinated administrative decisions, leading to alienation. As a result, mental health problems are also on the rise among remote workers. This is disconcerting.
Majiji Kesava Rao,Calcutta
Lost count
Sir — The initiative being taken by the Congress to mount an offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party for failing to conduct a caste census is welcome. The BJP, unsurprisingly, has been opposed to the demand for a national caste census owing to the fear that this may have a bearing on its Hindutva nationalist project.
The last caste censuswas conducted in 1931. Anew one is needed to get a true picture of the living conditions of the marginalised sections of society and improve their status.
G. David Milton,Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Trailblazer
Sir — The Indian-American businessman, Ajay Banga, is poised to become the chief of the World Bank. If confirmed, which is likely, Banga would become thefirst person of Indian origin to head one of the top financial institutions in theworld.
Dattaprasad Shirodkar,Mumbai
