Shamefully racist

At a time when Indians face hate crimes in the US, Australia and New Zealand, and there is pressure on the Government to ensure the safety of Indians abroad, the attacks on Nigerian students in Greater Noida is a reminder to turn the mirror inwards. India’s racism is an open secret, but it is nevertheless shocking to encounter it. This hardly paints a bright picture of a modern nation.

India is the preferred education destination for many Africans since they find the standards good and the fees more affordable than in Europe or the US. A racist attack must not be allowed to settle comfortably into the identity of just another incidence of road rage.

A responsive police and legal apparatus are crucial for securing the rights of the visitors from Africa. It is heartening that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj took cognisance of the tweets by the distressed African students and raised the issue with the UP CM, Yogi Adityanath. But is he listening?

KS Jayatheertha

Bengaluru

Blacklist them

This refers to ‘Not easy to ban unruly passengers on flights’ by Ashwini Phadnis (March 29). There is nothing in the law that prohibits an airline from preparing a list of persons it will not carry. The only thing is that it should be non-discriminatory and based on sound principles.

Blacklisting travellers based on past misbehaviour is within the scope of sound policies. Instead of initiating criminal proceedings and waiting for a long time to get a conviction, it is better to ban people like Gaikwad. If he wants to contest such ban, let him.

Shiv Sena MPs seeking a privilege motion against the concerned airliners only shows up their audacity. As no action was initiated against Gaikwad for stuffing a roti into the mouth of a person observing Ramzan earlier, the MP seems to have been emboldened to continue his misadventure. It is time he was expelled from his party and Parliament.

S Kalyanasundaram

Email

It’s illegal, after all

How can anyone oppose the banning of illegal slaughter houses in UP? Consuming products from such sources cannot be good for health, since illegal abattoirs usually do not adhere to safety norms. Besides, the NGT says they go against environmental norms. Eating habits are a personal choice, therefore, this issue should not be given caste, religious of political colour.

M Kumar

New Delhi

Plastic has its uses

Plastic was always considered in a negative light. However, today, a number of farmers use plastic in their day-to-day farming activities. This is known as plasti-culture. This not only helps save water, it also reduces the use of fertilisers to a great extent, and reduces the risk of weeds and pests.

Research shows that India has a very low rate of plasti-culture usage compared to countries like the US. However a number of steps are being taken by the Central and State governments to motivate farmers to use this new technique.

Prerna Vijaykumar

Pune

Towards transparency

The Supreme Court has done well to draw the line on what constitutes welfare schemes and what does not while giving its nod to the Government to make Aadhaar compulsory for bank accounts, I-T returns and PAN cards. Making Aadhaar mandatory is bound to usher in more transparency.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bengaluru

Sensible decision

The decriminalisation of suicide attempts is long overdue. Survivors need sympathy and counselling, and not punishment for seeking an escape. If a person is driven to contemplate this extreme step, society too is responsible for failing to provide emotional support.

There should be support systems and of psychiatric treatment in place to help manage the issue. It is important to de-stigmatise mental illness and educate people on the need to seek treatment. The effacement of Section: 309 (Attempt to commit suicide) from the IPC is sensible.

G David Milton

Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

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