The protests and beyond

The protests against the CEC and SIR are taking shape as a people’s movement. The feeling one gets from the street is that people are determined to see to it that electoral integrity is restored for democracy to be meaningful in ‘the world’s largest democracy’. It is the cause — saving democracy — that is drawing crowds to the streets. It is an epic fight to preserve India as we know it. The BJP’s staunch defence of Gyanesh Kumar is being seen as evidence of its “special relationship” with him. It is hoped and expected that the Supreme Court will live up to its constitutionally assigned role as the supreme sentinel of democracy when it hears (and rules on) this all-important case.

G. David Milton,

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

The real victims in this protest are the security personnel and police, both men and women. They are just obeying the state. Their actions on protesters are not voluntary. They are government servants who follow orders whether they like it or not. It is not an easy task to carry or pull protesters into buses or vans. On top of that, they have to face and answer the irate public and protesters. They are also human beings. There may be a few black sheep among them. One should look at the big picture. They should not be demonised. If some other party replaces the Bharatiya Janata Party, these are the same people who will follow their orders as well. One should empathise with the men and women in khaki who are just following orders.

Dr. Indhumathi Kuberan,

Mumbai

Fearless and impartial

One feels a sense of pride in the Nobel Committee, which makes its awards, particularly the Peace Prize, impartially, transcending boundaries and all forms of discrimination. Today, a superpower such as the United States is pursuing arbitrary policies and imposing its will through war and authoritarian tactics, leaving many nations struggling under the pressure. In such a situation, while U.S. President Donald Trump has actively lobbied for the Peace Prize for the past two years, it is truly admirable that the Committee has remained undeterred by pressure and honoured a truly deserving recipient.

Siddharth Bagul,

Pune