Sir — At a time when the entire world is facing a grave environmental threat, any positive news, no matter how minor, is heartening. The decision of the Jharkhand government to stall the construction of the Dhalbhumgarh airport that could have obstructed elephant corridors in the Bengal-Jharkhand border region is a step in the right direction. The project would have required close to 100 hectares of reserve forests being cleared, thus increasing the risk of man-animal conflict. Development at the cost of the environment can never be sustainable.

Anindita Chaudhury,

Calcutta

Bold words

Sir — The film star, Rajinikanth, has attracted strong criticism for his remarks against E.V. Ramaswamy, or Periyar, during a speech at a meeting to mark the golden jubilee of the Tamil magazine, Thuglak. It seems that his intention in recalling what was purported to have happened in Periyar’s anti-superstition rally in Salem in 1971 was to show the social reformer in a poor light rather than to pay tribute to Cho Ramaswamy, the founder-editor of Thuglak who claimed to have covered and criticized the procession in which nude effigies of Ram and Sita were allegedly garlanded with slippers. Raking up the controversy after so long was an attempt on Rajinikanth’s part to milk the incident for what it is worth. Ironically, this noise has made his silence on current issues more deafening.

What Rajinikanth calls ‘spiritual politics’ is nothing more than a cloak that hides his kinship with the Hindutva brigade. Rajinikanth is free to have his own political ambitions and to support Hindutva. But he should desist from speaking ill of a social revolutionary of Periyar’s stature without ample evidence to back up his claims. The movement led by Periyar to free the lower castes from the yoke of casteism is cherished to this day by all who believe in equality. What Periyar achieved for the people of Tamil Nadu is far more significant than what Rajinikanth has done on screen.

In trying to tarnish the image of one of the most iconic figures of the state, the actor-politician has ended up wounding the sentiments of many Tamilians. With his speech, Rajinikanth has further cemented his image as a puppet in the hands of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh trying to make it big in Tamil Nadu’s politics.

G. David Milton,

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

Sir — Rajinikanth is loved as an actor by the people of Tamil Nadu regardless of their political affiliations. As such, his recent remarks — a jab at an alleged incident involving Periyar and a comment implying that Thuglak, unlike Murasoli, was read by ‘intelligent’ people — are particularly hurtful. Personalities of his stature should be more careful with their words.

Divyani Misra,

Mumbai

Well played

Sir — The editorial, “New goal” (Jan 21), makes some valid observations about the new chapter in the history of one of Calcutta’s oldest football clubs, Mohun Bagan, which is now 130 years old. The club will complete a merger with the franchise, ATK, chaired by Sanjiv Goenka, in June this year. The new entity, christened ATK-Mohun Bagan, will be participating in the Indian Super League, which seems set to take precedence over the I-League.

The fact that the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group will have an 80 per cent stake in the merged entity should not be seen in a negative light. An ardent supporter of Mohun Bagan and lover of football will be hoping that this “marriage of convenience” between a corporate entity and the club works out favourably for both parties and leads to good entertainment and higher standards in Indian football. The corporate sector has been participating in the English Premier League and La Liga, to name just two of the major football leagues around the world. Corporates invest money in different football clubs not only to get handsome returns but also to improve the standards of the game. The set-up should thus be appreciated and not mourned.

Dipak Banerjee,

Calcutta

Sir — Mohun Bagan and ATK are the first major Indian clubs to merge in order to find a new way forward. Mohun Bagan, stricken with financial difficulties, was in desperate need of a helping hand.The Mohun Bagan Football Club (India) Private Limited will be represented by just two directors on the board of the new company.

The new deal is likely to make members of the Mohun Bagan Athletic Club nearly peripheral in football matters, with the RPSG Group holding an 80 per cent stake in the merged team. This arrangement will also have a bearing on the logo of the new squad. Mohun Bagan’s logo and colours have a rich heritage. The two clubs thus must ensure that the new entity is able to accommodate both identities while forging a new chapter in the history of Indian football. If successful, this could set a precedent for other clubs in India to come together and build strong, sustainable footballing institutions.

S.S. Paul,

Nadia