Human touch

Sir — A Chinese start-up has invented a kissing device to mimic the experience of locking lips with loved ones over long distances. When two devices are paired remotely using a mobile application, those with the connected devices can transmit the tactile feeling of kissing no matter how far they are from each other. The inventor has already sold over 3,000 pieces. Although nothing seems far-fetched in a world where Artificial Intelligence can crack competitive exams, the popularity of the kissing device actually makes a case against machines. The need for human intimacy can never be resolved by machines.

S.S. Chaudhuri, Calcutta

Receiving end

Sir — It is shocking that a Surat court has convicted the former Congress president, Rahul Gandhi, in a defamation case and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment (“In the name of Modi” March 24). He is out on bail and has been given a month to appeal to a higher court, but following his conviction, he has been disqualified as a member of Parliament and thus barred from the Lok Sabha. The parliamentary secretariat has not taken the month granted to Rahul Gandhi into account. The selective application of defamation laws is worrying too. Rahul Gandhi is hardly the only politician to speak ill of his opponents. This has become a trend across parties in order to gain votes and grab the media’s attention. Politicians should try to be dignified in their approach.

D.V.G. Sankararao, Andhra Pradesh

Sir — The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP was hasty. It is a grim reminder of the vindictiveness of the Bharatiya Janata Party government. It has already misused Central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate to intimidate Opposition leaders and crush dissent. This reflects poorly on the BJP’s commitment to democracy. The blatant weaponisation of defamation laws will have a deleterious effect on the freedom of speech and expression. Criminal defamation should thus be removed from our statute books.

M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu

Sir — The lightning speed with which Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha is just another attempt by the ruling BJP to achieve a Congress-mukt Bharat. Rahul Gandhi is undoubtedly one of the most ardent critics of crony capitalism. His Bharat Jodo Yatra was a resounding success. His prompt disqualification from Parliament shows how eager the BJP is to wipe out the primary Opposition party of India. It is thus sad that some Opposition parties, too, are working towards a Congress-mukt third front. They must understand that the Congress needs to be the leading force to counter the National Democratic Alliance.

Sujit De, Calcutta

Sir — Rahul Gandhi was wrong to malign the Modi surname and connect it with thieves. He had referred to the prime minister, Narendra Modi, and the fugitive businessmen, Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi, while making the statement. This kind of generalisation based on people’s surname is unparliamentary.

Sravana Ramachandran, Chennai

Sir — The indictment of Rahul Gandhi points to the sorry state of freedom of speech in this country. The BJP does not hold its own leaders to similar standards of decency. Freedom of speech is crucial for a democracy, which needs to learn from criticism, no matter how harsh.

Arun Gupta, Calcutta

Sir — Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as an MP may become a watershed moment for India. There is no better time to rally a joint Opposition.

Murtaza Ahmad, Calcutta