Winter waist
Sir — If there ever was a time when the dictionary got things wrong, it was while defining the waist. Usually defined as the narrowest part between the lowest rib and the hip, the waist is anything but narrow. This is more so after winter when the cold weather leads to a drop in body temperature and stimulates the appetite. What is worse, given that ever-widening waistlines are often hidden underneath sweaters and jackets at this time of the year, people pay scant attention to it. But as winter begins to give way to spring and the sweaters come off, one finds oneself waist-deep in trouble.
S. Chowdhury, Calcutta
Biased ruling
Sir — The decision of the Speaker of the Maharashtra assembly that the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde is the real Sena seems unjust (“Shinde ‘ruled’ real Sena by Speaker”, Jan 11). This will reshape the course of politics not just in Maharashtra but also across the nation. The apex court should not have left this matter to the discretion of the Speaker, who disregarded the constitution of the party and its founding members.
Jayanta Datta, Hooghly
Sir — No matter what the Maharashtra Speaker decides, it is the verdict of the people of the state that matters (“Tricky test”, Jan 12). People know that the united Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray collapsed owing to instigation by the Centre using investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate. At present, the party once formed by Bal Thackeray has become a puppet in the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is thus a sad turn of events for the ‘Marathi manoos’.
Zakir Hussain, Kazipet, Telangana
Sir — The Maharashtra Speaker’s decision regarding the Shiv Sena was made solely on the basis of numerical majority — the Eknath Shinde-led faction has the support of 40 members of the legislative assembly whereas Uddhav Thackeray has just 16 MLAs with him. Shinde may be happy with the present outcome but the real test will be at the hustings. The Sena has been inseparable from the image of Bal Thackeray. As such, it will be difficult to defeat his son, Uddhav Thackeray, who still enjoys popular support.
However, this battle between the two factions of the Sena should serve as a warning for individual and family-centric parties. They should streamline functioning and tamp out discontent within the party unless they want to meet the Shiv Sena’s fate.
Karan Singh, Chennai
Sir — Questions arise about the refusal of the Maharashtra Speaker to disqualify MLAs from either faction of the Shiv Sena. If, indeed, the Eknath Shinde-led group is the real Sena, why were those MLAs who are supporting Uddhav Thackeray not disqualified? The Speaker of an assembly must be neutral. But this does not seem to be the case in Maharashtra.
Hassan Khan, Mumbai
Sir — The ruling that the Eknath Shinde-led faction is the real Shiv Sena is unfair but not surprising. Given that the Speaker was from the BJP, it would have been shocking had he ruled otherwise. The growing instances of MLAs switching parties at will and going unpunished underline the need to strengthen anti-defection laws. The power to disqualify turncoat MLAs should be placed in the hands of an independent committee that does not have stakes in any political party. As long as Speakers settle defection disputes, political considerations will continue to cast a shadow of doubt on such rulings.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Stop the bloodbath
Sir —The International Court of Justice has finally started hearing South Africa’s case accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The outcome of this case is not as important as putting an immediate stop to the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza. The world has become a silent spectator to the killing of nearly 24,000 Palestinians.
The United States of America has repeatedly highlighted Israel’s right to defend itself. But can Israel prove that the tens of thousands of people it has killed were all terrorists belonging to Hamas? What will it take for the world to wake up to the fact that Israel is indeed carrying out a genocide?
Jang Bahadur Singh, Jamshedpur
Sir — India must support South Africa’s case against Israel. India poses itself as a global leader. As such, it should use its international influence to force Israel to stop the war in Gaza.
Bhagwan Thadani, Mumbai
Keep it clean
Sir — Unsolicited political messaging on the walls of private residences has been a long-standing problem in West Bengal (“Graffiti only after property owner’s nod: BJP”, Jan 12). Homeowners are either too scared to protest or their objections are disregarded by party cadres and goons. Few are aware of the laws against defacing private property and even fewer are willing to go up against the might of a political party by enforcing this law. Moreover, the rich tradition of intelligent political graffiti has given way to bawdy humour and cheap sloganeering.
Ratan Kumar Halder, Calcutta
Sir — It was heartening to learn that the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bengal has directed its workers to seek consent from homeowners before using their premises for political postering and graffiti. One hopes that other parties will also follow suit. Political parties must endeavour to clean up the premises that allow such activities once the elections are over.
Sourish Misra, Calcutta
