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5

Moderate viewing

I was quite surprised to read that the search for porn online has hit new heights during the pandemic (‘Viral pleasure’, September 5).

Watching porn moderately, once in a while, is okay, I suppose. But getting addicted to it is not at all healthy. Circulation and production of porn has to be measured with a different criterion, and it needs a firm hand.

Child porn should be banned, and the strictest punishment should be given to people who watch and circulate it; they are no less than beasts, and should be named and shamed. Trafficking and sexual exploitation of children is a dastardly act that should never be forgiven. Children should be protected from the perils of internet. Parents and teachers have an important role to play.

Pankaj Mohin,

Delhi.

 

 

Indians are not addicted to porn as THE WEEK projects them to be. I refuse to believe that a considerable section of men and women in this country watch porn frequently. Who says so, and on what basis? I don’t believe in any of these surveys.

Pornography should never be encouraged in any civilised society. Watching it does not increase sexual gratification. There are so many other ways to entertain ourselves. Only perverts watch porn and get pleasure from it.

Kurian Thomas,

On email.

 

It is sad to know that the pandemic saw the rate of porn consumption spiking in India. Watching porn is not a remedy to overcome loneliness during these difficult times.

I feel it is the right time to introduce sex education in schools.

Saul Abhishek,

On email.

 

Viewing porn has been going on for decades before mobile phones and websites came into existence. Earlier, some TV channels used to telecast adult films after midnight, to attract vulnerable teens.

No sincere effort seems to have been made by the Central government to ensure that porn is not circulated in the country. It is time the government took active steps to stop companies and internet parlours from introducing this menace, directly or indirectly, into our homes.

Ashok Nihalani,

On email.

 

Your cover story meticulously mentions how porn usage spiked in India in 2020. It is sad that some women are seduced and forced to act in porn films; they can hardly fight back legally.

Vineshragul,

Thiruvananthapuram.

 

He is correct

I endorse the views of Neerav Kapasi (‘Letters’, September 5) that you should do away with some of your columnists. Like Kapasi, I also consider THE WEEK as the best newsweekly in the country.

V.R. Sashidhar,

On email.

 

Menon magic

I had read about Krishna Menon quite a few times, mostly regarding his controversies surrounding him. But ‘The many moods of Krishna Menon’(‘Last word’, September 5) was an intriguing eye-opener to Menon’s personal life.

Thank you for breaking the chain of misconception.

Sohan Fernandes S.J.,

On email.

 

Menon always sought attention. It is said that once he poured tea on his shirt, as if by mistake, to get attention. He spoke in the United Nations, against Pakistan, for more than eight long hours.

D.J. Bhaskar,

Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

 

Don’t underestimate the Taliban

The recent events in Afghanistan have caused widespread commotion in political circles all over the world (‘The widening gyre’, August 29).

People are apprehensive of the resurgence of terrorism through the Pakistan-IS-Taliban nexus. Pakistan will be happy to buttress its ‘hate India’ campaign with the help of the Taliban, its trusted ally.

Any political organisation, when not in power, resorts to anti-government rhetoric and indulges in nefarious activities to remain in limelight. The tables get turned when they manage to come to power, and serious rethinking is done on various political matters.

I sincerely hope that in the case of Afghanistan, too, the Taliban will shed ferocity and critically think of their policies to gain the affection and cooperation of the local populace to ensure a durable regime.

The Taliban has already given a positive thought in this direction.

R.K. Mathur (retired air vice marshal),

Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

 

History repeats itself. Since it became a superpower, the US has laid waste to many nations by its interventions, whether solicited or on its own selfish interests—be it in west Asia, south America, Europe or east Asia. The outcome was the same everywhere.

The US intervened in Afghanistan to drive out the Russians, and in the process it created world’s biggest terror factory in Pakistan. Once the Russians were out, they quit the scene without waiting to put in place an elected government to rule.

And when the Taliban, America’s own creation, facilitated the 9/11 attack, the US returned with vengeance to wipe out terrorist bases. But, alas, after 20 years they have been driven out, unceremoniously.

V.H. Subramoney,

On email.