Dangers of online shaming
The recent heartbreaking news of a youth from Mapusa ending his life after being booked over garbage dumping and online shaming is a devastating wake-up call for the civil society. A minor offence like dumping garbage led to a viral video, an FIR, and ultimately, an irreversible tragedy. Today, it has become a toxic trend to upload every minor incident on social media. One fails to understand what people gain by posting these videos; for a few likes and shares; they tarnish other people’s image identity, dignity, and peace of mind. The severe mental trauma and humiliation a person undergoes during a digital trial are unimaginable. Social media has weaponised online shaming, turning minor mistakes into permanent life sentences. Equally concerning is the heavy-handed response of the authorities. Why must someone committing a minor offence like littering be made to sit in a police station for many hours to face an FIR? Law enforcement should aim to reform, not traumatise. While civic discipline is necessary, the punishment must fit the crime. The government must step in and strictly regulate or ban the posting of such incidents on social media to prevent vigilante justice. We need legal safeguards against online harassment.
Samir Khan, Mapusa
Chaotic junctions
The St Inez and Caculo Mall traffic junctions in Panaji have become a living nightmare for motorists and pedestrians alike. Following the IPSCDL’s road opening from Tonca to St Inez, there has been a chaotic situation. Vehicles converge simultaneously from all four directions, causing severe peak-hour snarls and dangerous near-misses. Pedestrians face immense risks crossing these intersections, especially at the Caculo Mall junction, which is further choked by illegal parking. Despite my repeated follow-ups since March 2025 and a high-level joint site inspection in April 2026, no progress has been made over the last two months. With the monsoon already here, authorities must urgently prioritise installing central roundabouts, median dividers, and proper road segmentation. We cannot afford to wait for a major tragedy to strike before taking action.
Alwyn M D’Sa, Miramar
Extreme step
The extreme isolation protocols imposed on experts preparing the NEET-UG 2026 retest question papers are shocking and shameful. Forcing academics into an undisclosed, locked-down location until June 21—alongside deploying IAF aircraft to transport exam papers—is unprecedented and insults the integrity of the professionals involved. These stringent, desperate measures clearly expose how rotten and compromised the National Testing Agency has become under the current administration. Security ‘theatre’ cannot mask a systemically broken process. Instead of enforcing totalitarian measures to patch up a failing framework, the best solution is to permanently abolish the fraudulent NEET examination. The central government should restore autonomy to state governments, allowing them to select medical candidates fairly based on their Plus II examination performance.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Delayed justice
Delay in delivering judgment in criminal cases causes a lot of problems. In some cases verdict comes after a long time and by that time the accused are either dead or too weak to be in prison. The case of an 84-year old Bihar man accused in a crime he committed 34 years ago raises several questions. The other accused people died and only he survived. His present condition evokes pity in others. He cannot walk without help. How will such a criminal become a threat to society? What is the logic of putting him behind bars? Certainty of punishment is more important than its severity. Punishment handed out after a long delay loses its relevance. Fast trial and delivering of verdict are of utmost importance in judicial system. Handing out punishment without delay will act as a deterrent in criminal cases. Humanitarian considerations are important even in punishment. Very old and physically weak people must not be put in prison for a long time. Substantial reforms must be implemented in the judicial system. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Venu GS, Kollam
On oceans and livelihoods
The World Oceans Day is observed on June 8 to raise awareness on the dangers faced by oceans. There should be innovations for sustainable oceans because life and livelihood of the people depend on them. Additionally, 70 per cent of the earth is occupied by oceans. It is said that oceans are the future of mankind because they support humanity and every other organism on earth besides providing drinking water and oxygen. Sadly, due to unbridled human activities, more than 90 per cent of the surface of oceans has become acidic. Consequently, not only the marine ecosystem is endangered but the income and diet of human population is also threatened. By 2030, 40 million people are estimated to be employed by ocean based industries.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
