New low

• Sir - It is appalling that a leader of the nation's ruling party called for the beheading of Deepika Padukone, a reputed actress and the daughter of a respected sportsperson. In the midst of the controversy surrounding the film, Padmavati, Suraj Pal Amu, a politician of the Bharatiya Janata Party from Haryana, offered a bounty of several crores of rupees to anyone who beheads Padukone. As Indians, we should hang our heads in shame. The prime minister, Narendra Modi, has not condemned such an outright call for murder by a leader, and law enforcement agencies have done nothing. If the same leaders displayed this kind of zeal with regard to solving the nation's real problems, we would have been much better off. It is ironic that the likes of Amu are ready to take a woman's life in order to 'protect' the dignity of an apparently fictitious character. It is clear that such people have no real respect for women. Padukone has responded to the threat to her life with admirable composure. But Indian citizens should not allow unlawful acts like these to go by unpunished.

Raka Kar,

Calcutta

• Sir - The decision by the deputy chief minister, Sushil Kumar Modi, to keep his son's wedding a simple affair must be appreciated. He has set a positive example. The chief minister, Nitish Kumar, has announced a campaign against dowry and child marriage. Not only did the deputy chief minister reject dowry but he also pledged to keep the marriage expenses low. Usually, marriages involving the kin of politicians are characterized by a brazen display of wealth.

Around two decades ago, Lalu Prasad had started wearing kurtas with checks. Soon his followers began to wear the same kind of kurtas. If a 'trickle-down effect' can take place in the case of a piece of clothing, why can the same thing not happen over issues like dowry and child marriage? All politicians should join hands to stop customs like dowry and child marriage. Consumerism has only added to the demands imposed by the family of bridegrooms.

Bharati Kumar,

Patna

• Sir - The chief of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Lalu Prasad, has predicted that elections to the Lok Sabha as well as the assembly polls would be held in 2018. Prasad's statement is an outcome of despair and is not based on political realities. He even said that astrologers have predicted that Narendra Modi would not complete his term.

The last five years have thrown up many twists and turns in Bihar's politics. But the political lines appear to be drawn for the next Lok Sabha and assembly polls. Nitish Kumar cannot afford to cross over to Prasad's side, once again.

Perhaps the RJD chief made the statement because he does not want his supporters to be demoralized. Prasad and his family are under considerable pressure from courts and investigative agencies. In spite of his mass appeal, it is evident that Prasad is fighting a battle for political survival.

Y.N. Sharma,

Patna

• Sir - The Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute has been going on for years. The debate has reached such proportions that even discussions among friends on the subject turn acrimonious. The matter is a sensitive one, as it involves two religions. Such religious issues can only be solved through negotiations and an amicable settlement. The spiritual leader, Ravi Shankar, had offered to explore options for an out-of-court settlement among the parties locked in the dispute over the land on which the Babri Masjid stood before it was demolished. He met various religious leaders to talk about the Ayodhya issue, including the Sunni cleric, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, who is also a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. The two religious communities should meet and discuss the matter together in this manner. Such an approach will lead to a solution.

Md. Shahrukh Nadwi,

Hyderabad

• Sir - Indian politicians love to make tall claims about maintaining communal harmony. But when they really have to make an effort to keep relations among different communities cordial, they shy away from the task. This is what has happened with regard to the Ayodhya issue. A rational and peaceful solution to the matter is the need of the hour. Ravi Shankar wants to ensure that an amicable agreement is reached. Although the subject is still sub judice , his wish to resolve the issue peacefully outside the courts is laudable ("Sri Sri keeps up out-of-court chant", Nov 18). Other religious leaders, however, do not want to let the dispute be dealt with so easily; many of them have ties with leaders of political parties who have vested interests in the matter.

If political parties had been interested in settling the dispute amicably, they would have done so already. Instead, they only want to derail any progress made in the matter. Their chief aim is to gather votes by exploiting the conflict between Hindus and Muslims.

All the parties involved in the dispute could have settled the case outside the court before the next hearing. The apex court's verdict should be made known soon. Once it is out, will the religious communities involved be ready to accept it?

Mihir Kanungo,

Calcutta