Sir — It is heartening that the fisheries sector in West Bengal is optimistic about getting a good haul of ilish this time. The possibility of a bountiful catch is being attributed to the lockdown, because of which pollution and the movement of vessels in sea waters decreased.

Bengalis will be buoyant at the news. However, the availability of the fish has been steadily dwindling over the years as a result of wanton over-fishing, pollution and habitat destruction. For future generations to keep eating ilish, we must not only be mindful about our own consumption but also take an active interest in keeping breeding conditions for the fish healthy.

Alakananda Sen,

Calcutta

Mirth and shame

Sir — While the death of Indian soldiers in the clash between China and India at the line of actual control is heartbreaking, the same cannot be said for the people within our country who have been protesting rather vociferously against China. Their actions, in fact, induce mirth and even shame. It is embarrassing enough that traders in Siliguri have planned to rename the 50-year-old Hong Kong Market and stop trading in Chinese products (“Market to drop Hong Kong tag”, June 18). Making matters worse were Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Asansol who, in a frenzy to denounce the Chinese premier, Xi Jinping, have confused him with the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un. A video on social media shows a BJP worker proudly proclaiming that they will burn an effigy of China’s “pradhan mantri”, who they think is Kim Jong-un.

In the case of the traders in Siliguri, the irony of dropping ‘Hong Kong’ from the name of the market in a bid to protest against China cannot be missed. For over a year now, the people of Hong Kong have been protesting, with great peril to their lives, to maintain their region’s semi-autonomy from mainland China. Last month, the police in Hong Kong used tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons when thousands of citizens came out in protest after Beijing declared that it intends to impose national security laws on Hong Kong. If traders in Siliguri truly wish to register their protest against China, then renaming the Hong Kong Market might not be the most effective way to do it.

In the case of Kim Jong-un being mistaken for Xi Jinping, however, the moral degradation of the BJP as well as its deep ignorance and prejudice become evident. While the incident does elicit laughter, it proves that the party and its workers do not even bother to do their research before coming out on to the streets to show off their righteous anger. The people of Bengal must not vote this party in during the assembly elections next year.

Kasturi Chatterjee,

Calcutta

Sir — One is not sure whether to dissolve into laughter or hang one’s head in shame while reading about the ways in which Indians, including the prime minister, have been protesting against the nation’s stand-off with China. While Narendra Modi apparently did not wish Xi Jinping on his birthday for the first time since 2016, traders in Siliguri are planning to rename the half-a-century-old Hong Kong Market and BJP workers in Asansol intend to burn effigies of Kim Jong-un because they think he is the premier of China.

People who are aware of political developments in the region over the past year are scratching their heads over the decision to drop ‘Hong Kong’ from the name of the market in Siliguri. Considering the fact that Hong Kong has been protesting relentlessly against Chinese hegemony for over a year now, it is evident that the Siliguri traders have no idea how ironic their actions would be. They have also decided to stop trading in Chinese goods; one wonders how they will be able to sustain their businesses if they do so.

The same charge of ignorance can be brought against the BJP protesters in Asansol. As workers of a political party that rules at the Centre and hopes to come to power in the state next year, it is a matter of shame that they do not know the difference between the leaders of two different countries. Fostering such a culture of ignorance, however, has always served the saffron party well.

Pari Roy Chowdhury,

Calcutta