Dangerous rhythm
Sir — Many of us know the lyrics of contemporary Bollywood tracks verbatim. Their catchy beats are often difficult to ignore. However, if one pays close attention to the lyrics instead of being captivated by the rhythm, one will realise that a gamut of these songs are misogynistic and make light of violence against women. For instance, the lyrics of the hit track, “Aafat”, from the recently-released film, Liger, normalise rape. Such problematic lyrics negatively impact the audience’s perception of women. Perhaps Bollywood can go back to its golden era when songs were both catchy and meaningful.
Archana Prasad, Begusarai, Bihar
Stark difference
Sir — The Portuguese health minister, Marta Temido, has resigned following the demise of a pregnant Indian tourist, who was turned away from a full maternity ward and died while being transferred to another hospital in Lisbon. The resignation comes amidst criticism of Temido’s decision to close emergency obstetric services owing to a shortage of staff. The accountability shown by the Portuguese minister is reassuring. This is in stark contrast to the situation in India where thousands died during the dreadful second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic owing to a shortage of oxygen cylinders. Yet, instead of taking responsibility, political leaders resorted to blame games and dismissed alarming statistics emerging from both inside and outside India. This is unfortunate.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad
Right decision
Sir — The Supreme Court has rightly stayed the ruling of a division bench of the Karnataka High Court, which had permitted Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on the premises of an Idgah in in Bengaluru. The apex court observed that since Islamic festivals and rituals have been traditionally observed at the Idgah, status quo must be maintained (“For 200 years whatever was not held, let it be like that: Court on Idgah Maidan land”, Aug 31). The Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state has witnessed communal violence in recent months. Allowing Hindu festivities on the property could have aggravated religious tensions.
Khokan Das, Calcutta
Sir — On the very day that the Supreme Court ruled against organising Ganesh Chaturthi on an Idgah land in Bengaluru, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court allowed festivities to take place on another Idgah ground in Hubli. The land in Hubli is a disputed site and has been the cause for communal strife in the past. The decision can revive old tensions. The authorities must ensure that law and order are maintained.
Debojit Das, Bengaluru
Affordable cure
Sir — In a landmark achievement, India has launched its first indigenously-developed quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer, which is the second-most common cancer in India, claiming around 75,000 lives every year. In spite of significant demand, HPV vaccines have been in limited supply and remained unaffordable to the general public. The home-grown vaccine, developed by the Serum Institute of India, is expected to plug some of the gaps. The government must also see to it that the poor are immunised free of cost.
Diganta Chakraborty, Hooghly
Left out
Sir — Senior citizens are at a greater risk of loneliness than ever before. According to Age UK, a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom, more than a million elderly say that they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. Loneliness can lead to mental health issues. We must provide company to the elderly so that they do not feel left out.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
