Role play
Sir — Sovereigns dressing up as commoners to feel the pulse of their lands is not unheard of — Henry VIII was known to take walks in the night disguised as an ordinary man to see if the constables were doing their job. The Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, attempted a similar feat last week when he played the part of a McDonald’s worker, donning an apron, cooking fries and serving customers at an outlet in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, an Indian couple at the takeout window showered Trump with compliments and wished for him to become president again. The couple ought to be careful about what they wish for as a second Trump presidency could see increased scrutiny and stringent regulations for immigrants.
Nilanjana Basu, Noida
Out for blood
Sir — Israelis celebrating the killing of the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, who was the architect of the attack on Israel October 7, 2023, must realise that Sinwar’s death does not necessarily signal the end of Israel’s war on Gaza (“Infinity war”, Oct 22). However, Sinwar’s assassination brings a sense of closure to the kin of the victims of Hamas’s terror attack, which started the never-ending, multi-pronged war in the Middle East.
While confirming Sinwar’s death, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, made a rare and unprecedented offer to Hamas militants in Gaza to lay down their arms and return hostages in exchange for free passage out of the Gaza Strip. It remains to be seen whether this offer will have any takers.
S.S. Paul, Nadia
Sir — The blame for the sustenance of the ongoing war in the Middle East does not rest solely on Israel. The United States of America, the staunchest ally of Israel, is equally complicit in the killing of thousands of civilians by the Israeli forces. The editorial, “Infinity war”, rightly argued that had there been no supply of weapons and provision of diplomatic cover from the US, Israel would not have been emboldened to plolong its campaign against Hamas and Hezbollah.
Despite making assertions about brokering peace deals, the US has not only refused to browbeat Israel but is also providing all possible support to it. Such double standards must stop. The US has the means to make Israel back off. It must channel all its efforts to bring peace.
Aranya Sanyal, Siliguri
Sir — In spite of eliminating the leaders of both Hezbollah and Hamas, Hassan Nasrallah and Yahya Sinwar, respectively, within a fortnight, Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to press on with the wars in Gaza and Lebanon (“The war is not yet over, says Bibi”, Oct 19).
Both sides vowing to escalate fighting is inimical to peace. Israel and Hamas should understand that their never-ending attacks will not bring about a resolution and will only lead to civilian casualties. The US and Iran should refrain from providing support to Israel and Lebanon, respectively, in the interest of a ceasefire.
Mihir Kanungo, Calcutta
Sir — In response to the brutal aggression on October 7, 2023, Israel has perpetrated bloody mayhem in Gaza. While the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of Hamas’s attack, can still be justified, Israel’s insatiable bloodlust for Palestinians cannot be pardoned. Tel Aviv is carrying out missile strikes on medical facilities and shelter homes in Palestine. The story of the 19-year-old Shaaban al-Dalou passing away in an Israeli attack was poignant (“He buried his dream. World watched him burn alive”, Oct 21). His death has become a symbol of the unimaginable horrors that are being inflicted on Gazans.
Kajal Chatterjee, Calcutta
Sir — In “Something rotten” (Oct 20), Mukul Kesavan emphasises that Israel’s genocidal violence is against Palestinians as “a people”. Israel has long behaved as a terrorist State. Such conduct stems from a sense of victimhood as the country was created out of global guilt and thrives on the moral right to protect itself by carrying out endless wars against its neighbours. Tel Aviv’s merciless massacre of children and women in Gaza in the last year is proof of this.
Fateh Najamuddin, Lucknow
Divine justice
Sir — The Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, recently stated that he had prayed to god for a solution to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute (“’Hand of God’ that wrote Ayodhya verdict”, Oct 22). The revelation, which comes weeks before Chandrachud demits his office, was made to the residents of his native village in poll-bound Maharashtra. This does not bode well for the rule of law. Would Chandrachud like to be remembered as a judge who sought providential guidance for the resolution of a conflict instead of being guided by his judicial mind and the principles of justice enshrined in the Constitution?
S.K. Choudhury, Bengaluru
Sir — D.Y. Chandrachud has invited criticism with his candid revelation about praying to god for a resolution to the Ayodhya conflict. His remark goes against the supposition that judges adjudicate on the basis of the merits of a case, arguments and evidence. A judge cannot be an instrument of god inside courtrooms.
G. David Milton, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Risky move
Sir — It has been nearly 10 days since the conclusion of the Durga Puja, but pandals are still standing on roads and pavements, blocking them and hindering mobility (“A week since Puja, pandals still hog roads”, Oct 21). The bamboo scaffolding on which temporary banners were put up is yet to be taken down in many places. The Puja committees must remove these structures at once.
B.K. Duvarseli, Siliguri
