Hot seat

Sir — One of the problems of a spontaneous vacation plan is that family members often get train or aeroplane seats that are far apart. It is not uncommon at such times to request co-passengers to exchange seats so that the family can sit together. However, such behaviour is increasingly losing support. People who book seats well in advance, solo women travellers for instance, are rightfully demanding to stay put in their seats. But instead of seeing such an exchange as a courtesy, some people see it as their right and get angry at being refused. People should either learn to plan ahead or accept their request being turned down.

Srilata Murmu, Calcutta

Timely relief

Sir — The Supreme Court has stayed the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case that disqualified him as a member of Parliament (“SC stays conviction. Rahul Gandhi is now Mission-Prepped”, Aug 5). Without the stay order, Rahul Gandhi would have been unable to contest elections for eight years. The court’s decision will be a boost for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

Tauqueer Rahmani, Mumbai

Sir — The apex court has made it clear that it is still the conscience-keeper of the country. Rahul Gandhi’s untimely and unfair conviction was a great blow to national politics. Hopefully, he will be reinstated to the Lok Sabha with the same swiftness with which he was dismissed and will not be harassed further.

Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai

Sir — The fact that the punishment handed out to Rahul Gandhi by a Gujarat trial court was excessive and baseless has been made amply clear in the Supreme Court’s stay order. It is disappointing that despite there being more pressing matters, such as ethnic violence in Manipur and communal trouble in Nuh and Gurugram, the Centre continues to take greater interest in Rahul Gandhi’s case. The apex court’s verdict should serve as a reminder to the Bharatiya Janata Party to spend its time on welfarist activities instead of resorting to partisan politics.

P.K. Sharma, Barnala, Punjab

Minimise damage

Sir — Anup Sinha has highlighted the concept of ‘metabolic rift’ introduced by Karl Marx (“Less is more”, Aug 4). Marx put forth the idea that people are part of nature and have been alienated from it through class divisions and capitalism. Environmental degradation — mass extinction, depletion of natural resources, disruption of nitrogen cycles and so on — is linked to our capitalist lifestyles. Luxury goods,
even vehicles that run on electricity, lead to the production of non-recyclable waste that adversely affects the environment. A minimalist lifestyle will go a long way towards protecting the environment.

Sukhendu Bhattacharjee, Hooghly

Dubious remark

Sir — The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has expressed dissatisfaction with the decision of the governor, C.V. Ananda Bose, to set up an anti-corruption cell at Raj Bhavan (“Governor’s anti-graft cell irks Mamata”, Aug 3). Banerjee’s remark that such a cell can only be set up by the state government is incorrect. The governor is well within his rights to address people’s grievances.

Ananda Dulal Ghosh, Howrah

Equal stakes

Sir — Only a small percentage of seats in Parliament is occupied by women. Political parties must encourage more women to join the process of nation-building by nominating them for elections. The Election Commission, too, should encourage this. Society can only prosper when women participate equally in all walks of life.

K. Lakshman Rao, Visakhapatnam