Lunar surface

• Sir - Major roads in Calcutta have become unmotorable and pose a serious risk to commuters. The repair work carried out every year is just an eyewash. Perhaps no other Indian city has such poor roads, especially during the rainy season. A former American president had said that "American roads are not good because America is rich. But America is rich because it has good roads." One hopes that the chief minister, who is intent on turning Calcutta into London, takes steps to improve roads in the city.

Yours faithfully,

Rakesh Bajoria, Calcutta

Cowardly act

• Sir - It was shocking to read that concrete chunks were hurled at Rahul Gandhi's vehicle by a crowd chanting the prime minister's name. Instead of condemning this unacceptable act, the Bharatiya Janata Party defended the stone-throwers and took exception to them being called "goons"("Not goons but good throwers", Aug 5). Initially, the chief minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, described Rahul Gandhi as a perpetual tourist who was using the floods in the state as a photo opportunity. Later, he condemned the incident and ordered an inquiry.

Rupani may have forgotten that there is no place for violence in a democracy. Even if the ruling party is dissatisfied with an Opposition leader, it should protest peacefully. Does the BJP not remember that it calls stone-pelters in Kashmir anti-nationals?

Significantly, the deputy chief minister, Nitinbhai Patel, had blamed Rahul Gandhi for not using a bullet-proof vehicle. Has Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace become so unsafe that even political leaders need to travel in bullet-proof vehicles?

The BJP should stop blaming others for an incident like this. Cowardly acts should be condemned wholeheartedly. Steps should also be taken to severely punish those involved in the episode.

Yours faithfully,

Bidyut Kumar

Chatterjee, Faridabad

Under siege

• Sir - It cannot get more bizarre than this. The vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, M. Jagadesh Kumar, has advocated the stationing of a war tank in the campus to remind students about the sacrifices and valour of the army. Kumar ought to be aware that a university is principally a centre of higher learning and not a cantonment or a military training centre. Ever since it came to power, the BJP has been trying assiduously to redefine the contours of nationalism, denying any space for alternative views in the process. Its resolve to alter the discourse on nationalism by undermining intellectual opposition is becoming discernable.

Kumar's outrageous suggestion is only a manifestation of his desire to pander to the wishes of those who brought him where he is today. JNU is a crucible of diverse ideas brought about by informed debate. Such an ethos should not be destroyed by conservative right wing elements.

Yours faithfully,

S.K. Choudhury,

Bangalore

Parting shot

• Sir - Languages preserve the richness of human culture and history. If languages were to vanish, we would lose this wealth. India has numerous languages. This legacy must be preserved. It should not disappear because of the demand for one language, one culture, one religion, and even one party.

Yours faithfully,

H.N. Ramakrishna,

Bangalore