LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

India’s politicians have lost sight of Gandhi’s vision

I refer to your article Indian PM Modi’s party predicted to

win key state (December 15). In Gujurat, Narendra Modi held 34 public meetings to ensure his party’s victory even though the BJP has lost its appeal and seats in rural areas. Still, it is time to reflect on whether political parties need to attack each other so ruthlessly during election campaigns. In Gujarat, the accusations were nasty, with former prime minister Manmohan Singh being accused of conspiring with Pakistan to influence the election results. This was baseless and in bad taste.

While victory in elections is important, political leaders need to ensure that the battle should not become vicious. The attitudes and conduct of the leaders percolates down to common people. An India that rejoices only in victory, but not in values, is not a great ideal. The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, always emphasised that the means are as important as the result. Rajendra K Aneja, Dubai

Extremists can’t keep getting away with murderous crimes

I refer to your article Eight dead in suicide attack on church in Pakistan (December 18). What good does it do terrorists to attack peace-loving worshippers? They must not walk free. K Ragavan, India

Money won’t ease heartache felt by Obaida’s family

I refer to your article Father of murdered eight-year-old rejects Dh621,000 blood money offer (December 17). Why would they offer money when the killer was sentenced to death? It is down to the family to choose. Hamida Mahmoud, Dubai

The killer has been executed but the family should also be compensated. Parveen Ahmed, Bangladesh

Obaida was kidnapped by a person they trusted like family who then molested their child before going on to kill him. There is no way I could forgive someone for that. Umme Meeran Sayed, Dubai

We are all to blame for the perils of climate change

I refer to your article Clean-energy revolution – watch as it happens (December 17). Climate change is scary and waiting around will not save us.

The UN climate agreements will not save us. Only action against pollution and overproduction among other things will save us from the worstcase scenario.

While we need legislation and international agreements, cities can still do a lot without them. It is the people who need to advocate for change in lifestyle, laws or climate goals in any way they can.

International negotiations are time-consuming and can fall short of their goals. Even if the countries in the UN manage to ratify agreements, they can still opt out of them later. People need to advocate for change in policies like people in several US states did after Donald Trump’s decision to leave the Paris Agreement. We are all to blame for climate change and it is everyone’s responsibility to stop this. Heikke Raidma, Abu Dhabi