Precious locks
Sir — Unique hairstyles sported by famous personalities often become synonymous with their identities. Be it Albert Einstein’s shaggy locks or Madonna’s graceful bob, hairdos can be as iconic as the personalities themselves. But popular coiffures are not merely ornamental. This is borne out by a recent study that has solved the mystery of the deafness of the musical genius, Beethoven, by studying locks of his hair and
concluding that he had lead poisoning. Sukumar Ray had famously written, “gnof diye jaye chena”. Perhaps one should add, ‘shudhu gnof na, chul diyeo jaye chena’.
Pratap Banerjee, Calcutta
Liberty matters
Sir — A Supreme Court bench comprising the judges, Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, granted interim bail to the chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal (“Poll bail for Kejri”, May 11). This will restore citizens’ faith in democracy and the judiciary. It may also pave the way for bail for the former chief minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, who has been jailed for a few months. Kejriwal’s bail has proved that justice prevails in the end.
P.K. Sharma, Barnala, Punjab
Sir — The Aam Aadmi Party supremo, Arvind Kejriwal, being granted interim bail will allow him to participate in electioneering. This is a major win for democracy in India. The Supreme Court has emerged as the prime defender of democracy. This is a blow for the Central agencies that toe the line of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Indians are getting disillusioned with the ruling dispensation. Kejriwal will fight tooth and nail in the election and his release will infuse the INDIA bloc with renewed vigour.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai
Sir — By granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal and allowing him to campaign till June 1, the last phase of the general elections, the Supreme Court has reiterated the significance of the electoral process. Kejriwal was arrested on charges of money laundering. The Enforcement Directorate raised objections to the bail, claiming that it would create a distinction between citizens, who are bound by the rule of law, and politicians, who can seek legal exemptions. However, Kejriwal was arrested nearly two years after a report had been registered against him. The timing makes it evident that the arrest was meant to cripple the AAP before the election.
S.K. Choudhury, Bengaluru
Sir — It is a matter of concern that the apex court has to frequently intervene to check the undemocratic ways of Central agencies under the Narendra Modi-led government. Kejriwal’s bail will make the BJP uncomfortable. Several Opposition leaders, like the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, have rightly lauded the bail verdict.
M.C. Vijay Shankar, Chennai
Sir — Notwithstanding the strong dissent expressed by the ED, the Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, observing that “life and liberty are important”. By allowing Kejriwal to participate in the most fundamental process of electoral democracy, the court has enthused the AAP and the INDIA bloc in their fight against autocracy. The AAP has claimed that Kejriwal’s bail will mark the end of Modi’s regime. The BJP must learn not to take undue advantage of its power as the ruling party.
G. David Milton, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Sir — The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to surrender on June 2 after the last phase of the Lok Sabha election. The ED had opposed the bail in an affidavit filed before the apex court. It argued that the “right to campaign for an election is neither a fundamental right nor a constitutional right”. The apex court did not agree.
C.K. Ramani, Chennai
