Punjab’s Political Turbulence Masks Grave Social Threats
In response to the article ‘As the ground shifts in Punjab’, readers have expressed concern that the state’s political turmoil, as it prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections, is distracting from deeper crises. The controversy surrounding an alleged video involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has dominated headlines, but citizens argue it should not divert attention from the growing nexus of drugs, arms smuggling, and cross-border infiltration. Vandana from Chandigarh writes that political point-scoring over videos and alliances appears secondary to the everyday suffering of ordinary Punjabis. Voters are likely to judge parties less by rhetoric and more by their ability to provide security, employment, rehabilitation for addicts, and effective governance. Punjab has often paid a heavy price when politics becomes consumed by symbolism.
Call for Political Unity to Prevent Terrorism
LJ Singh, by mail, draws a parallel between political parties and rivers, stating that success comes only when they prioritize the welfare and progress of Punjab. He warns that conditions for terrorism are being created by some elements and urges like-minded parties to join hands with the sole aim of saving Punjab from being pushed back into the throes of terrorism. Political parties should learn from rivers, which keep flowing by circumventing obstacles.
Citizenship Documentation Flaws Need Systemic Fix
With reference to ‘What document makes me Indian’, Gaurav Badhwar from Rohtak argues that citizenship is not established by any single document but is determined under the Constitution of India and the Citizenship Act, 1955. He points to the Assam NRC experience, which shows that documentary deficiencies often arise from poverty, displacement, illiteracy, or weak record-keeping rather than fraudulent intent. The burden of proving citizenship should not fall on ordinary citizens. The government must strengthen civil registration systems, improve public records, and ensure effective procedural safeguards.
Textbooks Must Remain Apolitical and Fair
Yash Khetarpal from Panchkula criticizes the selective inclusion of political episodes in textbooks, referencing ‘Textbook politics’. He argues that if NCERT finds it important to include the Emergency (1975-77) in history, it should also objectively include the pain of Partition in 1947, the massacre of Sikhs in 1984, and the massacre of Muslims in the 2022 Gujarat riots. To be fair, syllabus makers should also credit Indira Gandhi for winning the 1971 war with Pakistan. Our education system, already under fire due to frequent paper leaks and other glitches, should not suffer further damage from biased content.
Rakesh Mohan Sharma from Pathankot adds that curriculum design for schoolkids is a highly responsible task, as teenagers have impressionable minds. Eternal values like goodness, truth, courage, compassion, honesty, fellowship, and mercy need to be unobtrusively instilled. Textbooks must remain apolitical, including stories of wonder, curiosity, inspiration, willpower, struggle, and duty towards the motherland. Despite recent bashing by the Supreme Court, NCERT has again included controversial topics. Academic neutrality, scientific objectivity, and winged vitality must be the hallmarks of the school curriculum.
Ram Mandir Donation Pilferage Breaches Public Trust
Abhilasha Gupta from Mohali raises allegations of theft, misappropriation of cash, and embezzlement of funds and valuables at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The wrongdoers have not only misused donations but also played with the religious sentiments of crores of devotees. The pilfering of cash and other valuable items during counting and sorting by temple staff is a total breach of their duties and public faith. The trustees should be bound by transparency, authenticity, and accountability.
