Pizza politics
Sir — Americans distraught by the re-election of Donald Trump are being offered an escape route — a €1 house in an Italian village. But this might be akin to jumping out of the fire and straight into a pizza oven given that Italy is ruled by the right-wing leader, Giorgia Meloni. Sure, the house is practically free, but Americans might find themselves in a village where the warm welcome comes with a side of political propaganda. They may find the olive groves of Italy welcoming and its pasta comforting, but the political landscape might be harder to digest than last week’s leftover risotto.
Reena Mahato, Calcutta
Powerful shield
Sir — The Supreme Court has barred lower courts across the country from registering fresh suits challenging the ownership and title of any place of worship or ordering surveys of disputed religious places until further orders (“Timely respite”, Dec 14). This is in response to a clutch of pleas that the apex court is hearing regarding the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. It is no exaggeration to say these petitions pose a virulent challenge to the survival of secularism. This can of worms was opened by the erstwhile chief justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, when he orally observed that a survey to determine the religious character of a place “may not necessarily fall foul” of the Act. One hopes the current CJI, Sanjiv Khanna, puts an end to the madness of trying to right historic wrongs — imagined or otherwise.
Ramesh G. Jethwani, Bengaluru
Sir — Any attempt at ‘undoing’ the perceived injustices of the past could open a Pandora’s box of history and is not only impractical but may also result in chaos and anarchy common to ancient and medieval times. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 is rooted in the realisation that the need to protect religious places and to maintain their character is sine qua non to avoid religious conflagrations. It was one of the contributory factors in the evolution of secularism.
Any attempt at unravelling the Act or the norms enshrined therein shall jeopardise the secular character of the Constitution and pose a threat to the whole fabric of fundamental rights and, indeed, the constitutional form of government in our country.
Puranjit Sanyal, Nadia
Sir — The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 is crucial for maintaining communal harmony and peace in India. By freezing the status of religious places as they were on August 15, 1947, the law ensures that no one can alter the religious character of any site, preventing conflicts and violence over religious sites. Given India’s diverse and often volatile religious landscape, this Act serves as a safeguard against attempts to provoke communal tensions. It helps uphold secularism and protects the sanctity of all faiths, preserving India’s pluralistic ethos in an increasingly polarised society.
Sandipan Sen, Calcutta
Sir — The politicisation of places of worship reiterates the symbolic value of these structures. Each represents a set of ideas that opponents — political adversaries — wish to challenge. Unfortunately, these clashes often lead to the distortion and, in some cases, the elimination of cherished ideals. Is there then a case to reimagine the relics of history as shared cultural resources, possessed by none but accessible to all? Such an inference is not implausible. Every faith and its representative obelisks claim to help the flock reach the same emancipatory goal; only their paths vary. In a world riven by religious conflict, the importance of the demand for secularising heritage cannot be emphasised enough.
Kamal Laddha, Bengaluru
Origin story
Sir — NASA’s discovery of the young galaxy, Firefly Sparkle, using the James Webb Space Telescope is a stunning glimpse into the early universe. With its gleaming star clusters resembling bioluminescent fireflies, this galaxy offers astronomers a fascinating look at what the Milky Way might have looked like in its infancy. The discovery will provide valuable insights into the formation of galaxies and the birth of stars, helping us understand our cosmic origins. As we peer deeper into space, we uncover not just distant stars but the building blocks of our own galaxy’s evolution, making this an exciting milestone in astronomy.
Sujit De, Calcutta
Sir — Understanding the origin of the Milky Way is crucial for comprehending our place in the universe. By studying its formation, we can learn about galaxy evolution, star birth, and cosmic history. This knowledge will not only illuminate our past but also help us predict the future of our galaxy.
Soumendra Choudhury, Calcutta
Spicy trick
Sir — Who knew that the secret to luscious lips was hiding in our spice racks? A Delhi-based content creator’s green chilli lip-plumping hack is truly groundbreaking. Forget expensive serums or treatments — just grab a few chillies and prepare for a fiery pucker. Who needs caution when you can have sizzling, swollen lips?
A.P. Thiruvadi, Chennai
