India weighing options
In the wake of the gruesome killings of civilians by Pakistani terrorists in Pahalgam, India has taken some retaliatory steps, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. However, India needs to understand that such an action has no legal standing. A retaliatory military attack by India is expected. While it may restore deterrence and weaken the anti-India threat, it may also lead to crisis and conflict. The best course of action for India would be cross-border firing, airstrikes, or cruise missile strikes. This would help India demonstrate to the public that it has acted. The government will have to yield to rising national sentiments after the terrorist attack. But such actions could invite retaliation from Pakistan. The Pakistan Army must have taken all measures to counter an attack from India. However, this crisis gives India an opportunity to reckon with its security failure. Given that it is the peak tourist season, tight security should have been provided. As Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, law and order is directly controlled by the Union government, not the state government.
Venu G S, Kollam
Preventive measures
Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Goa government has reportedly initiated a series of stringent security measures, including directing three Pakistani nationals to leave the state and country by April 27. It is learnt that 17 others on long-term visas have been placed under surveillance. Document verification of migrants will also be undertaken across various areas, and necessary action will be taken against those who fail to prove their identity. All hotels must strictly ensure that records of visitors are maintained. It is common knowledge that terrorists often travel on forged passports and false travel documents. It would be prudent to check the passports of visitors from Pakistan to verify their authenticity. A check should also be kept on Bangladeshi nationals residing in the state. Several Bangladeshis may have infiltrated into India from across the border and are staying illegally. It must be noted that the relationship between India and Bangladesh has not been cordial in recent times, and there could be Pakistanis who have travelled to Goa from Bangladesh and pose a threat. Bangladesh’s support for anti-Indian Islamic fundamentalist groups is quite well-known. The Goa government could also issue a travel advisory for Goans not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir and cancel all vacation plans to that state until the situation normalises.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
On safety at workplace
I always become a bundle of nerves when I see a worker doing his job standing on scaffolding with almost zero safety equipment, or when I see a pandal worker erecting or decorating a gigantic pandal without any safety net underneath or a safety rope tied to his body. A callous attitude towards safeguarding the lives of workers has become the new normal. I feel annoyed when I frequently come across reports of their deaths after falling from scaffolding. Reports like “Adwaita Hatua (44), a pandal worker, died after falling from a height of 28 ft while trying to tie a bamboo pole of a pandal,” or “Manishankar Mondal (45) died after he fell from a three-storey building while painting its outer walls,” though published in brief, should make us put our hands on our conscience.
Sujit De, Kolkata
Eradicate child labour
Every year on May 1, people across the globe celebrate Labour Day. But has anyone of us done something of value for the labour class or tried to resolve their problems? Many labourers face numerous problems such as poverty, illiteracy, food and water crisis. A vast majority of them, including daily-wage earners remain outside the ambit of labour laws, which means that they have no paid holidays, no job security, no medical coverage, no pension, no provident fund, and no limit on working hours. In India, there is also the issue of child labour, which is a complex problem with its roots in the socio-economic environment. Child labour not only deprives children of their fundamental right to education, but also jeopardises their physical and mental well-being. It perpetuates a cycle of poverty and denies these young minds the chance to reach their full potential. It is a major problem for us because children who are compelled to work are unable to attain education, driving illiteracy and many other social problems. India is in dire need of educated children, not child workers. There should be strict action against people who use child labour and bonded labour. In India, May Day (or Labour Day, as it is called) was first celebrated on May 1, 1923, after the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan was initiated and Comrade Singaravelar (Singaravelu Chettiar) helmed the celebrations. Labourers are the most important and valuable members of our society. They work tirelessly and make great contributions towards the development of the country. The International Labour Day should not only be spent in remembering the past events, but there must also be a plan to help labourers fight for their basic rights.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
