Sad to know about the plight of the Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar in south Bangladesh. The government of Myanmar should take them back, and recognise them as citizens (‘Life on the brink’, April 30). It is not fair to say that the Rohingyas cause problems wherever they go. They continue to suffer, and are discriminated against even today.
Rohingyas have to live a life of dignity and discipline. Not just Bangladesh, every country should support them.
Having said that, it is disturbing to see news reports that suggest that jihadist groups have infiltrated into camps to prepare young Rohingyas for terrorist operations.
Vishnu Radhakrishnan,
On email.
I liked your report from the world’s largest refugee settlement. Like Editor Philip Mathew said, let the Rohingyan refugees also hear Emma Lazarus’s words. Soon.
B. Rajasekaran,
On email.
Your cover story made for a distressful and perplexing reading. Giving shelter to the Rohingyas was the biggest blunder of the Sheikh Hasina government. People of Bangladesh are going to pay a heavy price for it. Bangladesh is sitting on a time bomb that will blow up with riots, loot and many other law-breaking conducts. Data shows that every day 60 babies are born in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Child marriage and early pregnancy are common; young girls become mothers by 17 or even younger age. Lack of education, and other basic amenities in these camps will create a huge social issue in Bangladesh, which may escalate into a war. It becomes a cause for concern when these Rohingyas come to India. Many political parties, for the sake of building a vote bank, are fanning the flames of hostility.
Somen Sengupta,
Kolkata.
The plight, status and condition of refugees all over the world, irrespective of their caste or creed, are heartbreaking. It is sad that most of them are denied basic rights and are shunned by society.Not only these people are displaced physically but they also carry a mental scar in their journey of life.It is time to take action.
Praveen Thimmaiah,
On email.
Listen to Nitish Kumar
Nitish Kumar should lead the opposition in 2024 (‘Foes with benefits’, April 30). The Congress, and all opposition parties, should agree to have a common candidate in at least 400 seats to rule out division of votes. If that happens, Narendra Modi will not return as prime minister in 2024.
I sincerely hope that Nitish gets all the support he needs. Congress leaders should keep away their ego and listen to Nitish.
Shiv Kothari,
On email.
Say no to propaganda
Your story that the RSS is in talks with Hindu filmmakers to further its idea of hindutva seems true (‘Saffron screen’, April 30). Hindi film industry should stand united and say no to the right wing propaganda.
A film like The Kerala Story is propaganda against a peaceful state that has become a symbol of religious coexistence. Films, especially Bollywood films, play an important role in building public opinion and also in nation-building. I fear, like The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story will also become a commercial hit, and could lead to Kerala getting polarised, with Muslims pitched against Hindus and Christians. This is wrong!
Devika Chandran,
On email.
What’s wrong if Bollywood makes a few films in a year that cater to the hindutva ideology or school of thought? Like Sudhir Mishra said, all films should compete in the open market.
Films should not be classified in this manner. We have been bombarded with left-leaning subjects over the years, which were made by the liberals. So, what is wrong, after all, if we have some films that further the idea of hindutva.
Prahlad Venugopal,
On email.
All is not well
I agree with Navtej Sarna that a collective failure and betrayed promise have led to people migrating for a better life abroad (‘Stairway to heaven’, April 23). The government of India should take every measure possible to prevent brain drain. It also reflects badly on India when so many of us migrate to countries like Canada or New Zealand. It shows that all is not well here.
Tapesh Nagori,
On email.
A herculean task
Our politicians don’t practice what they preach. They stoop to any level to come to power. Your story (‘Forgive us our sins’, April 23) should be viewed from this angle. In Kerala, no party can win any election without the support of Muslims and Christians. The LDF and the UDF have been sweating it out to keep both these communities in good humour. Now, the BJP has entered the fray. It is a herculean task for the BJP to woo the minority voters in Kerala. But if they make it possible and gain a foothold in the state, it would pose a threat to the hegemony of the LDF and the UDF.
Vijayan Anikkadi,
On email.
What the BJP needs to do in Kerala is to form a third front, with likeminded parties. The BDJS is not enough for this. Such an alliance should also have political parties exclusively catering to Christian and Muslim voters. The BJP, on its own, can never win more than 20 seats in any assembly election in Kerala.
Vivek Kurup,
On email.