Forbidden experience
Sir — Ever since Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, humans have been enchanted by all things that are out of bounds. But Japan does not care for such transgressions. Kyoto has thus decided to ban visitors from entering the narrow backstreets of Gion district where traditional entertainers called geishas train and live. Photographing the geishas without their permission, touching them and other forms of harassment are the reasons behind the strict ban. But given human nature, one wonders whether this ban will only make the back alleys of Gion more attractive for tourists wanting a taste of the forbidden.
Bibhash Sen, Calcutta
Legal trap
Sir — It is heartening that the former Delhi University professor and activist, G.N. Saibaba, has finally been acquitted by the Bombay High Court after a decade of being in prison (“Test of law”, Mar 8). Saibaba was convicted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act due to alleged Maoist links. While in prison, Saibaba’s health deteriorated significantly. One hopes that Saibaba’s acquittal will prompt the release of other activists who are being unlawfully detained.
Jayanta Datta, Hooghly
Sir — The misuse of stringent laws like the UAPA by the police at the behest of the government is concerning. This has destroyed the lives of many activists and intellectuals. Laws that allow the arrest of anyone without adequate proof of wrongdoing require further introspection and amendment.
Fateh Najamuddin, Lucknow
Sir — The editorial, “Test of law” (Mar 8), rightly highlighted the way in which laws have been weaponised by the State to silence dissent. While G.N. Saibaba is free now, the accusation robbed him of his health and 10 years of his life. A few days ago, the Delhi High Court refused to interfere with the arrest of the NewsClick founder and editor, Prabir Purkayastha, on the grounds that his alleged offences fall under the UAPA. Umar Khalid, too, was arrested under the UAPA and he has been waiting for justice since 2020. Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old Parkinson’s patient, died in jail while waiting for justice. Democracy cannot survive without dissent and free speech. The UAPA is an impediment to free speech.
Sujit De, Calcutta
Blind spot
Sir — The Bharatiya Janata Party has misappropriated the Sandeshkhali issue to reap electoral benefits (“CM’s ‘sandesh’ on Sandeshkhali”, Mar 8). The Trinamul Congress supremo, Mamata Banerjee, has done well in reminding the BJP about the women who were paraded naked in Manipur and the women wrestlers who complained against the BJP member of Parliament, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The BJP is blind to its own follies.
Arun Gupta, Calcutta
New light
Sir — The decision of the sons of the literary giant and Nobel laureate, Gabriel García Márquez, to posthumously publish his last novel, Until August, is welcome (“Márquez’s last novel ends 10 years of solitude”, Mar 7). Márquez died in 2014 and was suffering from dementia during his last days, which was when he wished not to publish the novel. This unpublished book will surely shed light on Márquez’s last years.
Sukhendu Bhattacharjee, Hooghly
Lean meals
Sir — Owing to the steep price of mutton, many Bengalis no longer relish their traditional lunch of pnathar jhol on Sundays. A steep hike in the price of chicken might now deprive them of the alternative Sunday lunch of steaming rice and chicken curry.
Sourish Misra, Calcutta
