Initially, when Muhammad Yunus was appointed as chief adviser to the Bangladesh government, I felt it was a wise decision. However, that optimism was short-lived (‘We have to build a new Bangladesh out of this disaster’, May 4).
To me, Yunus comes across as somewhat shrewd and, perhaps, lacks the transformative vision needed to change Bangladesh decisively.
He appears to be acting on the advice of a few others—possibly including the military. Some of his statements have not been well received by India, and rightly so.
Tej Pratap Meena,
On email.
I had high hopes for Yunus, but he has struggled to effectively manage the situation in Bangladesh. The economy is a shambles, and GDP has plummeted. Even the IMF has issued warnings. In the long run, Bangladesh may face serious consequences.
Anil Deshpande,
On email.
Bangladesh is increasingly becoming a source of concern for India. What was once a friendly neighbour under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership—where India was given importance—now appears to be shifting course. All these developments are troubling, and India is finding itself encircled by hostile nations.
Ranjana Mathur,
On email.
Yunus’s smile may appear deceptive, but he is a noble man caught in difficult circumstances. Radicals have taken control of the country, and today it stands on par with Pakistan in terms of instability.
India must respond firmly to any untoward incidents originating from Bangladesh.
Mayank Bajaj,
On email.
I am not sure Hasina is as bad as the authorities in Bangladesh are portraying her to be. From what I know, she has never acted against the interests of the Bangladeshi people.
Much of the information we are receiving on Hasina from Bangladesh seems half-baked or heavily filtered. Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh was making steady progress. India should do everything it can to support her return.
Atanu Pal,
On email.
There is no doubt that Yunus is a well-educated visionary with a deep commitment to the future of Bangladesh. But it remains to be seen whether his leadership will take Bangladesh towards the stable path of development.
Sreepada H.R.,
On email.
Widely respected and admired
It was with a heavy heart that I received the news of Pope Francis’s passing (‘The shepherd’s shift’, May 4). He had profound emotional connect with people across faiths. His compassionate views on many pressing global issues set him apart as a spiritual leader.
Pope Francis was widely respected and admired, and his absence will be deeply felt by people of all religions.
Unni Radhakrishnan,
On email.
Pope Francis dedicated his life to serving the poor and the marginalised. He was a beacon of compassion and humility—almost a living embodiment of divine grace. The next pope will have a monumental legacy to uphold. Pope Francis will be remembered for generations to come.
Tigin Thomas,
On email.
We were caught off guard
The attack on tourists in Pahalgam was deeply shocking (‘Murders most foul’, May 4). It appears that both the state and Central agencies were caught off guard. The incident underscores the urgent need for a thorough overhaul of the state’s security apparatus.
Also, with the looming threat of a two-front conflict and an increasingly hostile Bangladesh, the Central government should act decisively.
Amit Kulkarni,
On email.
The brutal attack on tourists has laid bare the shortcomings in our military vigilance. While the countermeasures initiated by the government of India mark a crucial step in crippling the enemy, much more remains to be done.
As for the threat of nuclear war, it appears to be nothing more than a desperate attempt at intimidation by Pakistan.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
Using water access as a form of retaliation amounts to collective punishment, as it inflicts sufferings on civilians who are not involved in terrorist activities. Targeting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is misaligned and potentially counterproductive. Employing it as a retaliatory measure is unlikely to impact the actual perpetrators of terrorism and could instead harm vulnerable communities.
N.R. Jagannath,
On email.
The complete shutdown of Kashmir and the strong voices raised in protest against the heinous act, along with the extraordinary generosity of Kashmiris, tell a powerful story. It is a story of humanity triumphing over the terrorists’ attempts to divide the nation along religious lines. It reaffirms that the darkness of evil cannot extinguish the light of humanity, which lies at the heart of every religion.
Devendra K. Mishra,
On email.
Undermining the federal structure?
Synchronising the elections of MLAs and MPs—as proposed under the concept of ‘One Nation One Election’ (ONOE) is ill-advised (‘Our constant cycle of weddings’, May 4).
The priorities of the states often differ significantly from those at the national level, shaped as they are by regional customs, socio-economic conditions and cultural contexts.
Imposing a common electoral cycle risks undermining the federal structure.
C. Chandrasekaran Bharathi,
On email.