Sir — As expected, the government is having to eat its words with regard to several claims made in the study material for the ‘cow examination’ that has now been postponed. Leaders of the ruling party who extolled the virtues of the desi cow must be disappointed. Leaving aside the serious problems of spreading false information — nearly half a million people had registered for the test — this episode raises the question whether leaders who support such outlandish beliefs can be trusted to run the government.

Ishita Chowdhury,
Calcutta

Stand together

Sir — The article, “A novel unity” (March 10), by Prabhat Patnaik — it highlights the potential of the farmers’ protests to unite the people of India — is scintillating. It is very unfortunate that the ‘annadaatas’ of our country are being mistreated by the Central government.

The farmers’ struggle has not only withstood multi-fanged State repression but has also strengthened its resistance over the past few months. More farmers have continued to join the protests. In several states — Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan among others — thousands of farmers have been holding mahapanchayats. People are transcending barriers of caste and religious belief, responding to clarion calls to intensify the protests. Many have come forward with water tankers, food and all other essentials to sustain the farmers in their struggle against the formidable odds they are facing. The Centre may well know that a community that is strongly united for a cause cannot be defeated. That is the true lesson of this iconic movement.

Ranganathan Sivakumar,
Chennai

Grim situation

Sir — It is a matter of great concern that the army in Myanmar massacred 12 protesters in a fatal resistance (“12 protesters die in Myanmar firing”, March 14). Since February, the military junta has taken over power in the country by deposing its democratic government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi. Over 70 people have already died. Many are allegedly being tortured in custody; several are trying to flee the country.

Democracy and human rights are being trampled on. Only a few organizations are being able to shed light on the situation from within the country. The United Nations must be more active in Myanmar. The rights of the people have to be retrieved so that democracy can be restored.

Raghunath Pramanik,
Howrah