Right speak

• I agree with the young woman ( Lesson: disagree and be damned, October 18) that our Constitution gives us the right to question our elected leaders. It is we who have selected the government; it must be accountable and answerable to us at all times. We live in a democracy and not in a rigid totalitarian regime. Transparency can come only with straightforward answers. Being a lawyer and an activist, I would like to salute the lady for her stance. Most of us would not have dared to stand up in the fear of a backlash.

Advocate for civil rights, Delhi

• The young woman was definitely right in protesting. Her stance will encourage others to protest against wrongs.

Surojit Debroy

• Although I appreciate the government's decision to hold an immersion road show to entertain the common people, I feel injustice has been done to the woman who expressed her opinion against it.

Srestha Chakraborty, Shyamnagar

• In a democracy, to dissent is an inherent right. But not in our country. I am not surprised at the treatment meted out to the dissenter. I empathise with her and appreciate her resolve.

Pankaj Chakraborty

• Leaders in power tend to think whatever they say or do is right. But in a democracy, everybody has the right to express his or her opinion. Hats off to the young lady for her courage.

R.S. Garg

• I am glad to note that the lady is firm on her conviction. There was a time when pandals would never encroach on road space but not any longer. Normal life is now disrupted because of the festivities.

Nilakantha Rath,? Pune

• I salute the courageous young lady. It is thanks to her and people like her that I feel there is still hope for our democracy to survive. More power to her! In the same breath, I condemn the mob culture that seems to have taken hold not only of our state but the entire country, and the politicians who fan and thrive on such mob passions.

Manas Laha,? IIT Kharagpur

• I'm in total agreement with the young woman. The state-sponsored Puja procession on Red Road was totally uncalled for. And then the harassment of getting a hoarding with your name put outside your home and the physical torment because of a Facebook post sends chills down the spine. She did not shy away and remained determined in the face of such harassment.

Anurag Agarwal

• It's heartening to note that Metro gave voice to the young lady. I salute her for being brave and not cowering under pressure.

Sidharth

• First and foremost, I'd like to thank Metro for bringing to public attention the young lady's story of courage. A civilian giving an honest and progressive opinion should not be robbed of her right to freedom of speech. Kudos to her.

Debopam Bhattacharya

• The art of accepting criticism is beyond most Indian political parties. Rather, they tend to impose their whims and fancies on the general public, forgetting that their so-called "well-intentioned" ideas can inconvenience others.

Sonali Bakshi

• Dear Young Lady, I agree with you completely that the Durga procession was an appalling waste of public money. That they harassed you because of your courage to protest is a shame. I have lived all my life in Calcutta and barring the past few years, I never felt any fear about criticising those in power. The right to dissent is the basis of a democracy. That this is being stifled now is an alarming development. What is heartening is that persons like you have the courage to speak up. You, and others like you, are our hope for a free and sane future for our state and country.

A. Banerjee

• Everyone has the right to speak up in a democracy. We can't bully one for raising her voice against something. If one disagrees with a Facebook post, he/she can either ignore it or present his or her argument but why attack the person?

Anonymous