Sir — Fewer people celebrated Holi this year than usual, but many who stepped out did so without masks. In a violation of Covid-19 norms, people gathered in close quarters, hugged and smeared each other with colour. The Calcutta police had to levy fines of Rs 100 on 110 people for not wearing masks, all before Sunday noon. It is unfortunate that people continue to prioritize momentary fun over their health and safety. There is only so much that the authorities can do to arrest infections unless people are mindful of their own activities.

Nupur Bapuly,
Calcutta

Peaceful start

Sir — It is good news that the first phase of the elections in West Bengal and Assam was largely peaceful (“BJP lauds EC; TMC complains”, March 28). But it was also shocking to learn that at a polling booth in the Majra area of Kanthi in West Bengal, supporters of the Trinamul Congress complained that after pressing the electronic voting machine buttons in favour of their party candidate, the voter-verified electronic paper trail slips showed that the votes were recorded in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party. It seems the chief electoral officer there brushed aside this serious accusation as an “error” and said that it was addressed. Subsequently, voting was resumed.

Even if it was an error, it is quite a wonder how it was only the BJP receiving the malfunctioning votes, and not any other party. One cannot forget that there were many such complaints reported in the last general elections as well. It is also to be remembered that people are not always alert when casting their ballots — few check the voter-verifiable paper audit trail — and presume that their votes have been registered correctly. If the Election Commission continues to trivialize such incidents as errors, then there is little doubt that the assembly election results will not reflect the real mandate of the people. This destroys the sanctity of free and fair elections. The people must not lose their faith in the functioning of the EC.

Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai

Sir — Voters in 30 constituencies of West Bengal and in 47 constituencies of Assam turned out in huge numbers to exercise their right to vote as the first phase of polling began. According to the EC, Assam recorded a voter turnout of 76.89 per cent while West Bengal saw a turnout of 79.79 per cent till 5 pm on the first day of polling.

Tight security arrangements were put in place across the 12 districts in Assam where voting took place. Meanwhile, in Bengal, tensions ran high in East Midnapore after two security personnel were injured in a firing incident. The BJP has claimed that the vehicle of Soumendu Adhikari — he is the brother of the former TMC leader, Suvendu Adhikari, who recently joined the BJP — was attacked. However, barring a few incidents, the first phase has been peaceful. With a high percentage of voting witnessed in both states, it is evident that the fight is going to be neck-and-neck.

M.R. Jayanthi,
Calcutta

Sir — The BJP has time and again accused the TMC of appeasement politics. It is, however, clear now that the prime minister’s recent visit to Orakandi in Bangladesh, the birthplace of the founder of the Matua sect, Harichand Thakur, was to woo the Matua voters — they are immigrants from Bangladesh — who have considerable clout in North 24 Parganas and Nadia.

This is curious when considered against the backdrop of the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Several immigrant communities, including the Matuas, are deeply concerned about their safety and security in India. Their anxiety has deepened further as the BJP recently promised to take up the CAA issue at the first cabinet meeting if voted to office in Bengal.

On the other hand, Mamata Banerjee has already announced the formation of a new development board for the Matuas. The TMC has also worked towards the development of the Thakurnagar railway station and Banerjee has shown her commitment towards the overall development of the community. Moreover, Banerjee has been a vocal opponent of the controversial CAA and even assured the Matua community in a recent rally that its rights will be protected by the TMC. The BJP’s eyeing of the Matua belt is evidence of the party trying to polarize voters along identity lines in Bengal. The Matua vote will be crucial in determining the outcome of the West Bengal assembly elections.

Khokan Das,
Calcutta