Tough lives

Sir — We are often blind to the trials and tribulations of those who work to put a steaming plate of food in front of us. A recent photoessay on food couriers in Johannesburg brought to mind the struggles of food delivery workers in India. During the pandemic, while most of us were locked safely in our homes, workers of app-based delivery services braved the virus to bring food to people’s doorsteps. Reports suggest that not only were they poorly paid but also assaulted by the police when they failed to provide passes during curfews. As we become increasingly dependent on delivery services, it is crucial that laws are put in place to ensure that workers are treated with respect and paid fairly for their services.

Akshay Solanki,
Mumbai

Distressing attack

Sir — The vicious attacks by right-wing trolls on Aashna Lidder, the 16-year-old daughter of Brigadier L.S. Lidder, who died along with the chief of defence staff, General Bipin Rawat, in the recent chopper crash at Coonoor, is shameful (“Trolls pounce on soldier’s child”, Dec 12). Trolls dug up old tweets by Aashna criticizing the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, and began attacking her even before her father’s funeral. She has since deactivated her Twitter account.

While Opposition leaders were quick to condemn this, the deafening silence on the part of the Bharatiya Janata Party is a matter of concern. The BJP must come out in support of the young girl.

Jahar Saha,
Calcutta

Sir — It was very distressing to read that Aashna Lidder has fallen prey to trolls based on her political views. This speaks poorly of the people who cannot let a young girl grieve the loss of a parent.

Suparni Haldar,
Calcutta

Urgent situation

Sir — It is clear that the continued reliance on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as a way to impose public order must be brought to a end and the long-pending demand for its repeal needs to be addressed (“Global call to repeal AFSPA”, Dec 9). The AFSPA — it empowers security personnel to act with impunity — recently came under fire after the death of 14 civilians in firing by the security forces in Nagaland.

The State has to admit that there is scope for misuse of the Act. Furthermore, the fear and mistrust instilled by this law among the local population in the areas where it is implemented often outweigh its utility. A review of the AFSPA every three months or so is a must to ensure that it does not outlive its usefulness. The government cannot indefinitely impose the AFSPA in conflict-ridden areas.

S.S. Paul,
Nadia

Sir — The death of civilians at the hands of the armed forces in Nagaland could have been avoided. The explanation given by the home minister — he said that it was a case of mistaken identity — is insufficient and repetitive. Such incidents have happened in the past — 10 civilians were gunned down by the 8th Assam Rifles at Malom Makha Leikai in 2000 — and each time there has been an assurance from the government that such things will not be repeated.

Unsurprisingly, the continued violation of human rights in the Northeast has led to a clamour for the repeal of the draconian Act. However, considering the threat posed by China and Pakistan along our borders, it may not be the best time to scrap the AFSPA. It is crucial, though, that the armed forces act responsibly in conflict-torn zones. There is no scope for further mistakes.

Chanchal Nandy,
West Burdwan

Sir — Over the years, hundreds of civilians have lost their lives in the crossfire between the armed forces and insurgents in the Northeast. If it is not possible to repeal the AFSPA, the armed forces should at least exercise greater caution in the region. The State, too, must do all it can to help normalize the situation in the northeastern states.

Venu G.S.,
Kollam, Kerala

Key member

Sir — In his insightful article, “Crow for the Crown” (Dec 12), Sanjay K. Jha has rued the emergence of a number of political parties at the expense of the Congress. In a democratic nation, it is imperative that there are voices of dissent and opposition, but the demands of coalition politics, especially when the aim is to defeat the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party, are very different.

If the parties in Opposition pursue their individual political interests, it would be impossible to put up a fight against the BJP. Mamata Banerjee’s attack on the Congress — she recently said that the United Progressive Alliance is dead — will be counterproductive in the long run. All personal ambitions of securing the top job must be set aside in this fight for the future of India.

I.N. Banerjee,
Calcutta

Sir — The Shiv Sena is right to surmise that there would be no substantial opposition to the BJP in the 2024 polls without the Congress. The Grand Old Party, in spite of its many flaws, has the most extensive organizational network and support. It is crucial for the TMC to understand its attacks against the Congress will strengthen the BJP’s hand.

Nitya Anand,
Delhi

Icon gone

Sir — It was heartbreaking to learn that the beloved author, Anne Rice, has passed away at the age of 80. Rice wrote over 30 books, but it was her debut novel — the first that I read as well — Interview with the Vampire that transformed the genre of vampire fiction. There are few contemporary authors who can write gothic horror the way Rice did. She will be missed.

Mrinalini Saha,
Calcutta