Unclean space
Sir — Reports of trekkers finding packets of Maggi littered in otherwise pristine forests and on snow-covered slopes are not unheard of. But soon plastic and other human waste might be found floating around in space. With space tourism gathering steam, countries must jointly come up with regulations to minimise the disposal of waste in space. Space debris from scientific expeditions already pose a challenge to expensive satellites that orbit the Earth and other space missions, not to mention the human waste that is piling up on the moon. It seems to be a human tendency to leave a mess in our wake. Space should not become our latest dumping ground.
Sumedha Jha, Patna
Justice denied
Sir — The Calcutta High Court’s long-awaited verdict on the Kamduni rape case is disappointing (“Kamduni wrench: HC lets odd one out”, Oct 7). The court has acquitted one of the convicts earlier sentenced to death by a lower court for the rape and murder of a 19-year-old college student, while the death penalties of two others were commuted to life sentences. The life terms of three convicts have been reduced too. Such heinous criminals do not deserve mercy. The enormous delay in the trial, inadequate evidence and lapses in investigation have led to this judgment. Cases of sexual violence against women should be tried in fast-track courts to avoid such problems.
Kiran Agarwal, Calcutta
Sir — Sukanta Majumdar, the Bharatiya Janata Party chief in West Bengal, has blamed the state government for a verdict by the judiciary (“Govt failure slur on Kamduni case”, Oct 7). One wonders what Majumdar would have to say about the convicts who gang-raped Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots being released from prison by the BJP government in Gujarat. BJP leaders will put even the greatest hypocrites to shame.
Kajal Chatterjee, Calcutta
Sir — The Kamduni verdict is unfortunate but not unexpected. Most life sentences do not mean a lifetime in prison in India unlike in the United States of America and continue for a duration of 14-20 years. If Sushil Sharma walked out of jail after serving a term of 23 years for cutting her wife’s remains and burning them, what chance did the Kamduni victim have of getting justice?
Sujoy Mukherjee, Calcutta
Sir — Brutal rapists have escaped the gallows because of the tampering of evidence by the partisan police in West Bengal. An appeal must be lodged at the highest court of the land. This must be funded by the government.
Tusar Kanti Kar, Howrah
Tense ties
Sir — Canada is apparently relocating diplomats posted in India to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur after India’s request to balance diplomatic presence. This move could impact the speed of visa issuance. The aim of India’s request is to achieve diplomatic parity as India has 21 diplomats in Canada while Canada has 62 in India. The objective is to pressure Canada into addressing this disparity.
Manzur Hasan, Howrah
Sir — The recent relocation of Canadian diplomats from India to Singapore
and Malaysia underlines the tension between the two nations. This development warrants close attention and efforts to ensure that the two countries try to resolve their differences.
Sk. Rasidul, Howrah
Sir — It is unfortunate that India has antagonised a friendly nation like Canada. Indian diplomacy has taken a beating recently owing to the conflicting stances of the ministry of external affairs and the government of the day. Moreover, a Central government which is full of ministers who are accused of everything ranging from murders to riots does not have the right to accuse the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, of protecting terrorists. It is thus also time for the Narendra Modi-led government to introspect.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai
Sir — New Delhi should stay firm and tell Ottawa that it cannot be business as usual as long as extremist elements are given a free rein. Justin Trudeau says he wants to maintain friendly ties with India, but has not taken back his objectionable statements. India should not restart trade talks unless Canada makes its stance on Khalistanis clear.
N. Sadhasiva Reddy, Bengaluru
Bag of problems
Sir — A few days back, I was given a plastic bag at a grocery store and when I returned it, the shopkeeper was taken aback. He told me that this was because most customers ask for plastic bags. As people become aware of the havoc wreaked by non-recyclable plastic bags, carrying a cloth bag to shops and refusing to take plastic bags is a simple step towards creating a better environment. The government cannot be expected to clean up after us all the time. Reducing the demand for plastic bags will force shopkeepers and manufacturers to stop producing them.
Zubaida Ali, Calcutta
