Think deeper

Sir — From ingenious themes to ornate pandals, Durga Puja organisers are going to great lengths to make the experience of visiting pandals memorable. For instance, the Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club in North Calcutta has made a pet-themed pandal in which Mahisasur has been replaced by two street dogs. The canines are shown to be praying to the goddess for shelter. The unique theme is meant to highlight the plight of strays. It is also a reminder of the humiliation that society often heaps upon those who feed and care for strays. The effort is commendable. However, caring for our furry friends must not be limited to social messaging. Celebrating the Pujas without blaring loudspeakers and bursting high-decibel crackers can be a means of ensuring real change.

Krishnendu Sardar, Howrah

Chained existence

Sir — The death of the 22-year-old, Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by Iran’s morality police for not following the strict dress code and later died in custody, has sparked widespread protests across Iran (“Iranian riot police, security forces clash with protesters”, Sept 28). It is mostly women who have to bear the brunt of repressive regimes. Amini’s death has led to an unprecedented uprising with women burning their hijabs and chopping off their hair in public to protest against the restrictions imposed on them by the Islamist dispensation. However, it is unfortunate that the protest has not received much solidarity from other countries.

Vijay Singh Adhikari, Nainital

Sir — The Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, recently cancelled an interview with the CNN journalist, Christiane Amanpour, at the ongoing session of the United Nations General Assembly after she declined his demand that she cover her head with a scarf. Amanpour’s decision to not give in to the whims of Raisi is laudable. Although not the same, the policing of Muslim students in Karnataka who were denied entry into their institutions because they wanted to wear the hijab — this was allegedly a violation of the institution’s uniform policy — is equally shameful. In another incident, women examinees were forced to remove their innerwear before sitting for the medical entrance exam in Kerala. These incidents show that women’s clothing and their choices cannot escape the invasive gaze of patriarchy.

Zubaida Ali, Calcutta

Right turn

Sir — A far-right coalition, led by Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy — a neo-fascist party — has won the parliamentary elections in Italy. This shows that the country is moving back to its fascist past (“Mussolini bhakts, an Italian of your ilk”, Sept 27). However, the rise of rightwing ideology is not restricted to Italy. All over Europe, conservative hardliners are entering mainstream politics and even winning elections. This is disconcerting. It can reverse much of the economic and social progress that the world made in the decades following the Second World War. India, too, has witnessed an unprecedented rise in majoritarianism under Narendra Modi’s leadership. This greatly endangers the democratic institutions of the country.

R. Narayanan, Navi Mumbai

Sir — The fact that the Brothers of Italy-led coalition is set to form the next government in Rome is a landmark in Europe’s post-fascism era (“Winds of change”, Sept 29). This is likely to spur the emergence of other right-wing governments in the region. Conservative attitudes, such as Euroscepticism, protectionism, and anti-immigration — the hallmarks of most European right-wing parties — will then become more acute, significantly altering present geopolitical equations. This is alarming. Perhaps economic distress and disenchantment with the current global order are providing fertile ground for such extremist parties to prosper.

D.V.G. Sankararao, Nellimarla, Andhra Pradesh

Sharp talons

Sir — The editorial, “Trained birds” (Sept 22), correctly highlights the weaponisation of India’s premier investigative agencies by the Central government to settle political scores. This misuse has existed irrespective of the party in power. Recent data have shown that in the past 18 years, over 80 per cent of the politicians targeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation were members of Opposition parties. The number of Opposition members harassed under the current Bharatiya Janata Party government is significantly higher than that under the previous United Progressive Alliance regime. Making the investigative agencies autonomous can be a means to reduce their politicisation. But none of the political parties has taken steps in this regard owing to vested interests.

Jahar Saha, Calcutta

Wrong lesson

Sir — The harassment of women in workplaces is nothing new. A good percentage of the victims rarely report the crime owing to social stigma and fear of retribution from the perpetrator. In “India’s Peter Pans” (Sept 22), Saikat Majumdar highlights the plight of women teachers who are subjected to endless moral policing by the administration, students as well as parents. The sacking of an assistant professor by St Xavier’s University for uploading a photograph in a swimsuit on her private social media account is a recent example of this.

B.D. Chattopadhyay, West Burdwan

In ruins

Sir — The French Museum of Chandernagore is a relic of our colonial heritage. Although the Archaeological Survey of India has been entrusted to look after this historic building, it is dilapidated at present. Its rundown appearance and missing signboards have relegated this once important tourist spot into obscurity. The ASI and the government must take remedial steps at once.

Kunal Kanti Konar, Calcutta