Real heroes
Sir — From government spies to corporate salesmen, actors play a wide range of roles. But even Shah Rukh Khan, arguably India’s biggest movie star, must have been perplexed at being assigned the role of an envoy between India and Qatar by social media — the rumour that he facilitated the release of eight Indian nationals from a prison in Doha spread like wildfire across the internet. This incident is proof of the larger-than-life status that movie stars enjoy in the popular imagination, particularly
in India. Perhaps it is time to give credit to the real professionals who get the job done.
Ranjit Banerjee, Calcutta
Voices ignored
Sir — It is unfortunate that news about criminal atrocities, like the scandal in Sandeshkhali, do not seem to receive as much attention as stories about the government’s so-called achievements, awards and so on. Women from Sandeshkhali have claimed that the Trinamul Congress strongman, Sheikh Shahjahan, and his aides had unleashed a reign of terror on them for a long time (“Women lead protest against TMC ‘goons’”, Feb 9). Allegations of land-grabbing, physical assault of the men who protest against it and molestation have been made by many women against local TMC leaders. The news is shocking; the ruling party in the state should leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is delivered to these women.
Sukhendu Bhattacharjee, Hooghly
Sir — The ugliness of the situation in Sandeshkhali is appalling. The ruling Trinamul Congress is trying desperately to cover up the misdeeds of its members by blaming the Opposition for blowing up the incident. Large numbers of women are raising their voices but the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, seems to be unwilling to hear their pleas. Perhaps she is labouring under the delusion that the paltry sums doled out under various schemes instituted by her will keep them quiet. Sandeshkhali may turn out to be the TMC’s Waterloo; the saffron wave being predicted by some surveys may overwhelm Bengal.
Shovanlal Chakraborty, Calcutta
Sir — The horror expressed by the governor of West Bengal, C.V. Ananda Bose, at the sights he witnessed in Sandeshkhali suggests that something is wrong with the law and order situation in the state (“Organised depravity”, Feb 15). Mamata Banerjee has been cautious, both in word and deed. Instead of going to Sandeshkhali to stand by the affected women, she has taken the perfunctory step of sending a team from the West Bengal Women’s Commission. It is not enough; the perpetrators must be brought to book.
Avinash Godboley, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh
Sir — Some leaders of the TMC have rightly demanded the arrest of the Union minister, Smriti Irani, for fomenting religious tension in Sandeshkhali (“Familiar fire”, Feb 15). While many Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have alleged that Hindu women have been raped in Sandeshkhali, a team from the WBWC has not been able to verify these reports. The allegations against the local TMC leaders should be investigated but the BJP should not adopt a holier-than-thou attitude either. After all, incidents of sexual abuse are extremely common in states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Khokan Das, Calcutta
Sir — The attack faced by the Enforcement Directorate team which had gone to raid Sheikh Shahjahan’s properties in Sandeshkhali stirred a hornet’s nest. Horrific accusations — of rampant land grabs, molestation and extortion — against leaders of the TMC have come to light. Fortunately, the high court has taken cognisance of the matter. The TMC’s welfare schemes like ‘Duare Sarkar’ have been exposed as being hollow.
Jahar Saha, Calcutta
