Heal, Not Suppress: Censoring Satluj Won't Alter History
In response to 'Punjab's harsh truths can't be wished away', Jasleen Kaur Arora of Jalandhar argues that censoring the film Satluj cannot undo the irreparable losses of the past. Removing a film from streaming platforms or theatres does not change history. She asserts that a confident democracy confronts uncomfortable truths rather than concealing them. Honest dialogue, empathy for victims, and an unwavering commitment to justice are the true paths to healing and reconciliation.
Banning Films Fuels Piracy and Curiosity
Bal Govind of Noida adds that a ban restricts freedom of expression and prevents audiences from forming their own opinions. He notes that courts have already convicted officers in the Jaswant Singh Khalra case, making the facts undeniable. Honest confrontation, not suppression, will help the younger generation understand Punjab's turbulent past. Moreover, banning a film often increases public curiosity, leading people to seek unauthorised access online, which encourages piracy and results in financial losses for filmmakers, discouraging them from exploring sensitive subjects.
Stricter Deterrence Needed for Dowry Crimes
Sanjay Chopra of Mohali criticises the description of dowry-related suicides as 'not very rare', warning that such language risks normalising these tragedies. He calls for stricter deterrence rather than reduced accountability. Dowry is a grave violation of a woman's dignity and right to live with respect. Each dowry death reflects society's collective failure to eliminate this regressive practice. Parents, educators, and community leaders must reject the culture of extravagant marriage demands.
Sports Commercialism Alienates Ordinary Fans
Rajesh Goyal of Chandigarh laments that popular sports have become money-minting ventures at the cost of fans. Spectators face shortages of clean restrooms, inadequate parking, overpriced food and beverages, broken seats, and overcrowding. Traditional rivalry matches, semifinals, and finals are now accessible only to the super-rich. If sports authorities continue to overlook ordinary fans and treat players as performers in a commercial spectacle, the sport risks losing its essence and may face a slow decline.
Simplify GST, Don't Dilute It
MM Goel of Kurukshetra argues that the debate on GST squeezes small businesses views the tax from the producer's perspective rather than the consumer's. While genuine compliance challenges for MSMEs deserve attention, repeated demands for exemptions, subsidies, and special treatment can keep businesses small. Simplification would benefit businesses, strengthen voluntary compliance, and protect consumers from unnecessary tax complexity. GST has already put India on a path toward a unified market; thoughtful reforms can make it fairer, simpler, and more growth-oriented.
Simple Living Becomes a Luxury
Harsh Pawaria of Rohtak observes that mudhouse resorts, thatched-roof cafés, and traditional village dining experiences are flourishing because they offer an escape from concrete skylines, traffic, screens, and hurried schedules. Earthen floors, charpoys, clay utensils, and wood-fire meals have become attractions rather than everyday life. The comforts sought in expensive retreats are the same traditions our ancestors regarded as ordinary living.
