Outdated practice
Sir — Raksha Bandhan is an auspicious day for commerce. The occasion has become less about sibling bonds and more about the exchange of gifts — although this is true of most events these days. Unsurprisingly, shopping applications have created curated segments for rakhi gifts. What is curious are the choices of gifts under the respective segments for brothers and sisters — while the gift suggestions for brothers include gadgets and sport equipment, sisters apparently have to make do with serveware, cutlery and utensils. Besides the patriarchal nature of such gifts being inimical to gender parity, it is also detrimental for businesses. After all, why should companies encourage such gender stereotypes in the new age of doing business?
Roshni Sen, Calcutta
Power corrupts
Sir — The prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, has been forced to resign after fifteen years in power (“Iron lady’s ouster”, Aug 7). Of late, Bangladesh had been simmering with anger against the quotas for the descendants of those who fought in the war of liberation. Although most of the quotas were rolled back by the top court, Wajed’s mishandling of the protests and her insensitive remarks against students were the last straw for a nation already frustrated by her authoritarian
rule.
While the anger of the people, especially the students, is justified, it must be ensured that the movement does not get hijacked by external forces like Pakistan and China. Moreover, their anger against Wajed notwithstanding, it is unconscionable to vandalise statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The young generation clearly does not know enough about the history of its nation.
A.K. Chakraborty, Guwahati
Sir — The political upheaval in Bangladesh is by no means sudden. It is a calculated effort to destabilise geopolitical relations in South Asia. The rigid attitude of the Sheikh Hasina Wajed government only added fuel to the fire. Wajed should have handled the situation better.
But it must be asked why India did not anticipate this situation. Given how significant Wajed’s cooperation was for New Delhi, did Indian intelligence agencies not track the anger fomenting against her? The churn in Bangladesh leaves India more vulnerable to China’s aggression.
M.N. Gupta, Hooghly
Sir — The events in Bangladesh in 2024 seemed like a rerun of those in Sri Lanka in 2022. The situation in Dhaka should worry India as the rise of Islamist radicalism in Bangladesh is likely to cause an influx of refugees in India. Moreover, the crisis in Bangladesh has a lesson for India. Sheikh Hasina Wajed had turned dictatorial and worked towards silencing the voices of dissent in her country. Her plight today should thus be a cautionary tale for autocrats all around the world. People are bound to lose patience with oppressive conditions one day or the other. This is what happened in Bangladesh.
Zakir Hussain, Telangana
Sir — Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s hasty exit from Bangladesh has left a power vacuum in the country. In the immediate aftermath of her resignation, the protest movement turned into lumpenism. People ransacked Wajed’s home and stole almost anything they could lay their hands on. Appeals to show restraint from the army chief and spokespersons of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami went unheeded.
Bangladeshis will soon realise that they have fallen into a trap laid by foreign countries that instigated the protests.
Ardhendu Chakraborty, Calcutta
Sir — Sheikh Hasina Wajed was a democrat who turned into a dictator, choosing to ride roughshod over people’s feelings. The events in Bangladesh should serve as a warning for oppressive regimes worldwide. New Delhi, which enjoyed good ties with Wajed, will have to recalibrate its strategy in view of the colossal churn in the neighbouring country. India needs to be cautious of adverse headwinds in the subcontinent.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Sir — The citizens of Bangladesh should be lauded for successfully ousting their tyrannical prime minister. Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s tenure was marred by allegations of dictatorship, the absence of free and fair elections, and the imprisonment of her vocal critics. Ruling with an iron fist poses significant risks, as is evident in her case. Had she been more mindful of her words and actions, she could have reached a consensus with the agitators, potentially resolving the crisis. This political shift is likely to have an adverse impact on India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.
Aayman Anwar Ali, Calcutta
Sir — Since the general elections in Bangladesh seven months ago, public indignation has gradually increased in the country. The right-wing BNP and other political parties boycotted the general election. They were successful in convincing the public that the elections were rigged. This did not convey a positive message to the international community. Sheikh Hasina Wajed had thus made hurried visits to India and China recently to rally international support. She was clearly unable to accurately appraise the volatile situation at home. The high-handed measures she took to quell the anti-quota movement fanned the flames of dissent even further.
Abhijit Roy, Jamshedpur
Sir — It cannot be denied that Bangladesh made tremendous progress under the rule of Sheikh Hasina Wajed and that India aided this development. But many are of the opinion that this progress has only helped those close to Wajed and her Awami League. Hasina’s departure signals the backsliding of secular politics in Bangladesh.
Debaprasad Bhattacharya, Calcutta
Sir — The Awami League government has fallen owing to its arrogance. Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s dismissive and adamant attitude turned the students’ protests into a rebellion. This is a clear warning for leaders all over the world about the risks of abusing power. Getting elected to a post is not a guarantee of staying in power by antagonising people.
M.C. Vijay Shankar, Chennai
