Apropos of 'Dent in Muslim vote bank hurt TMC'; this shift is a reminder that no vote bank is permanent. Voters - irrespective of religion or community - ultimately seek governance, dignity and delivery on promises.
Muslims in Bengal failed to vote strategically to keep the party, which they are made to fear the most, away from power. But, the TMC must introspect whether it has truly served its loyal constituency or merely leveraged it. The lesson for all political parties including the BJP is clear: identity-based consolidation has limits. Substantive representation and inclusive governance are the only durable foundations of political trust.
Fateh Najamuddin, Chennai
Mamata's disregard for democracy
The refusal of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to resign is deeply troubling for anyone who values constitutional propriety. BJP's landslide victory, reducing TMC to a mere 80 seats, reflects an unambiguous public verdict. Yet Banerjee's dismissal of the results as "engineered" and "a loot," and her attacks on the Election Commission betray a dangerous disregard for democratic norms. The office of the Chief Minister is a constitutional position, not personal fiefdom. When the head of a constitutional body refuses to acknowledge the people's verdict, it sets a perilous precedent.
AK Joshi, Amritsar
Drug surveys & mental distress
Apropos of 'Punjab counts'; the state's drug crisis cannot be enumerated through surveys alone. While data may reveal the scale of addiction, it often fails to capture the emotional and psychological vacuum pushing many young people towards substance abuse. What is alarming is the growing normalisation of escapist behaviour among adolescents, often dismissed as temporary experimentation rather than emotional distress. Therefore, any meaningful solution must move beyond policing and administrative surveys. Schools, colleges and communities must actively create spaces for counselling, dialogue and mental health support.
Havya Garg, Chandigarh
Census overlap unwarranted
Census 2026 has already begun in India. However, the Punjab government has commenced its own enumeration. Instead, the Punjab government should coordinate with the Central government, while the Centre should entertain and develop a mutually acceptable formula. The overlap of the Central and state census can create confusion among the public that can lead to their reluctance in cooperating with enumerators. The state census will add to the already significant financial load on Punjab. The process places an additional burden on the state machinery, primarily on teachers who are already involved in state and Central schemes.
Varinder pal Singh, Patiala
No red tape in defence projects
Refer to 'The curious case of INDU'; the proposal to set up a defence university in Haryana was a far-sighted step for national security. However, despite approval, land allocation and foundation ceremony, the project remains unrealised even decades later even after repeated renaming and reviews. Moreover, the creation of a parallel Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat raises doubts on the ulterior motives of the government. Such drift undermines strategic preparedness and institutional credibility. Given India's sensitive borders, the government must take a final decision on the setting up of INDU to bolster national security and strategic readiness.
Chanchal S Mann, Una
Irresponsible behaviour on board
Refer to 'Power bank explodes on taxiing plane in Chandigarh'; though a major mishap was averted, the question arises: what action was taken against the irresponsible passenger by the airline and the administration to act as a deterrent? Exemplary punishment should be given to the passenger overusing the power bank. The crew should have been more vigilant. Most importantly, passengers should be careful about their conduct so that it does not put other people's lives at risk.
Vinay Kumar Malhotra, Ambala