Bangladesh’s futureThe recent coverage of Tarique Rahman’s historic return to Bangladesh underscores a pivotal moment in South Asian politics. This moment offers both promise and peril. Bangladesh’s future hinges not only on charismatic leadership but also on a genuine commitment to democratic freedoms, accountability and pluralism. Mr. Rahman’s repeated calls for unity and a “safe, inclusive Bangladesh” are heartening, but they must be matched with clear policies to protect minority rights and human rights for all citizens, particularly at a time when sectarian violence and unrest have caused deep societal fissures.Kenneth John George,Angamaly, KeralaSave the AravallisThe Aravalli ranges have served as a natural wall to keep the desert at bay, a pollution sink, a perennial source of groundwater and home to diverse flora and fauna. What nature has made over millions of years is now being destroyed by relentless and reckless mining and quarrying and construction. Of course, as always and everywhere, the fig leaf is ‘development’ and ‘economic growth’. The fine-sounding phrase, ‘sustainable mining plan’, is coined only to continue the degradation and destruction. The ranges must be defined by criteria such as as geology, geography, hydrology, wildlife connectivity, climate resilience and the vital functions that they perform. These criteria cannot be substituted by ‘height’. The fragmentation of a life-supporting ecosystem would be the height of folly and spell disaster.G. David Milton,Maruthancode, Tamil NaduA silence that mattersIt is of great concern that certain elements in the right wing are engaged in the vandalisation of churches and Christmas decorations, with some incidents of violence against Christians on the eve of Christmas. What is appalling is that policemen, who should have prevented such elements from committing such atrocities, remained mute spectators. Moreover, none of the tall leaders of the government of the day came forward to condemn the attacks by the goons, leave alone initiating any action against them.The Prime Minister visited the Cathedral Church of Redemption in New Delhi on Christmas day.Yet, there was not a word about the attacks or signs of remorse. Does not the visit to the church amount to just appeasement politics?Tharcius S. Fernando,ChennaiPublished - December 29, 2025 12:24 am IST