Sir — The Centre’s directive to microblogging platform, Twitter, that it remove the label of ‘manipulated media’ from certain posts shared by functionaries of the Bharatiya Janata Party has no legal leg to stand on (“New target”, May 26). However, it does reveal that it is willing to go to any lengths to empower BJP leaders to tarnish political opponents and misinform the people. In the midst of a raging pandemic, the urge to engage the police to investigate so-called ‘toolkits’ discloses its intent of diverting the people’s attention from the real problems haunting the country.

The BJP has failed to provide any credible digital footprint, or copies, of what it calls the Covid-19 toolkit. Nor is there any evidence of the Congress’s contribution to it. This raises serious concerns regarding arbitrary censorship and transparency.

The Centre’s desperation to control any discussion on its failures and attempts to shift the blame on to the Opposition are leading to situations that embarrass a democracy. Rather than intimidate a private company, the BJP should train its workers to be more civil and truthful while engaging with critics.

S.S. Paul,
Nadia

Sir — The Congress has demanded that Twitter affix the tag, ‘manipulated media’, to tweets of 11 Union ministers for allegedly spreading false and malicious propaganda against the party. It has alleged that the material that some BJP leaders have tried to associate with the Congress is identical to the ones already marked as ‘manipulated media’ by Twitter. An open war now appears to have broken out between the Congress and the BJP. It remains to be seen what action Twitter will take in the coming days.

Bhagwan Thadani,
Mumbai

Right decision

Sir — In a positive move, the United States of America has declared its intention to reopen its consulate general in Jerusalem. The consulate general was earlier in charge of diplomatic relations with Palestine. But Donald Trump had downgraded its operations when he shifted the US embassy to Israel to Jerusalem. In view of the recent spate of conflict between Israel and Palestine, this nod towards the latter by a major world power could help deter further Israeli aggression.

Madhurima Gupta,
Calcutta

Step forward

Sir — Rosinka Chaudhuri has penned a timely piece on the recently concluded elections in Bengal (“In Ben-Gaul”, May 26). While acknowledging the spectacular victory of the Trinamul Congress, Chaudhuri has drawn attention to an important outcome of the elections — the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party as the only Opposition in a state like Bengal, where it had no base even in 2016, when it garnered just three seats. It has won as many as 77 seats this time. This ought to set the alarm bells ringing for Mamata Banerjee and the TMC. The big question is — will it?

While granting that the TMC valiantly fought off the BJP for over 200 seats, in spite of the latter’s money and muscle power, it must be admitted that the BJP and its divisive, Hindutva-based agenda has been able to make significant inroads into the hitherto inclusive fabric of Bengal’s political culture. In fact, the rot had set in prior to the 2019 parliamentary elections when it captured 18 out of 42 seats. It is to the TMC’s credit that it appointed the strategist, Prashant Kishor, in time. The social welfare plans envisaged by him and carried out by the TMC have paid rich dividends. Banerjee’s charisma and untiring efforts have also made a difference.

Chaudhuri has raised valid queries about the legacy of Bengal’s icons such as Ramakrishna, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and Rabindranath Tagore. They, however, shall continue to be the beacons that guide future leaders of Bengal. This must be followed up with steps towards course-correction and periodic introspections.

Dipak Banerjee,
Calcutta