Sweet spot
Sir — The use of artificial sweeteners in food items and beverages has long been a source of worry. In the latest case, aspartame, one of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners, has been identified as a carcinogen. Limiting the intake of the carcinogen thus seems prudent. However, fans of Diet Coke — aspartame is used in the zero-calorie soda for sweetening — have objected to such a move. Many have even expressed their desire to continue consuming the drink in spite of the health risks. While the emotional connection to one’s favourite drink is understandable, such cult-like devotion should be avoided.
Namrata Pandey, Mumbai
History lessons
Sir — The Allahabad High Court has permitted the Archaeological Survey of India to go ahead with the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. The survey was halted after the Supreme Court ordered the maintenance of a status quo on July 24. The high court verdict goes against the provision of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 — it bars any changes to the religious character of a place in independent India.
Speculation is rife that the ASI survey is being undertaken to consolidate the Hindu claim over the 17th-century Mughal structure. There has been a rise in Hindu majoritarianism and religious polarisation in the country owing to the tacit support of the ruling dispensation. This has significantly eroded the ethos of secularism and equality. Several Hindutva groups have also claimed that the Taj Mahal and the Qutub Minar were built on Hindu structures. The government should do what it takes to prevent a rerun of the Babri Masjid demolition.
G. David Milton, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Sir — Days before the Allahabad High Court’s order on the ASI survey, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, had stated that the Gyanvapi structure should not be called a ‘mosque’. This was just another ploy to stoke controversy.
It does not behove a chief minister to comment publicly on a matter that is sub-judice or to foment religious tensions. This raises apprehension that the Gyanvapi mosque may be heading down the same path as the Babri Masjid.
Zakir Hussain, Kazipet, Telangana
Hollow rhetoric
Sir — The prime minister, Narendra Modi, recently claimed that India will be among the top three economies in the world if the Bharatiya Janata Party is elected to power in the upcoming general elections. This may sound too ambitious. It is true that India has become the fifth-largest economy and is among the few nations which have scripted a robust recovery from the downturns of the Covid-19 pandemic. Surveys have also predicted that India will overtake Germany and Japan to become a five-trillion-dollar economy by 2027-2028.
But policymakers should not be oblivious to the realities on the ground. Unemployment continues to remain high whereas rising inflation has dented economic growth. The government should chalk out policies to generate jobs before indulging in hollow rhetoric.
M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
Unfair imposition
Sir — In a bid to ensure educational justice, the Narendra Modi government has been systematically reducing the importance of the English language (“Home love”, Aug 3). The National Education Policy is being used as a tool by the ruling regime to control the education system. This is evident from its imposition of the Hindi language across the country.
English education does not invoke a colonial mindset, but serves as a link connecting the diverse sections. English is the official language in many countries and is integral to scientific education. Depriving students of English education can negatively impact their career prospects.
Ashoke Basu, South 24 Parganas
Ensure justice
Sir — The former American president, Donald Trump, rejected the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election that went in favour of his opponent, Joe Biden. This despite the fact that Trump lost the election by seven million votes. His vehement opposition led to the polarisation of the masses which ultimately resulted in the insurrection at the Capitol building.
It is thus heartening that Trump has also been indicted for his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election (“Trump indicted in push to foil polls”, Aug 3). The incitement of violence by an incumbent president dealt a blow to the country’s democratic tradition.
R. Narayanan, Navi Mumbai
Parting shot
Sir — Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, recently shared the stage with the prime minister, Narendra Modi, at an event in Pune. This exposes Pawar’s hypocrisy especially since the Opposition alliance had objected to his presence at the event, which was meant to felicitate Modi.
Pawar’s action illustrates his implicit desire to join the National Democratic Alliance. This would prove to be a major setback to the Opposition’s unity.
S. Kamat, Alto Santa Cruz, Goa
