The US administration under Trump is posing a danger to world peace. His authoritative regime toppling heads of governments of developing Western countries is a threat to peace and harmony. Tension prevails in foreign policy matters of many countries, including India. The remaining countries should come together on a common forum to restrict the US’s excesses in slapping tariffs in foreign policy matters and its ambition of aggrandisement.

S.K. Sangam, Chinchwad

World threatened

The US invasion of Venezuela is pushing the world into a new order. Capturing and imprisoning a sitting president sends a dangerous message. Although the US claims legal action against Maduro, such operations challenge established international law. If global institutions remain silent, this sets a dangerous precedent. Earlier, China indicated plans regarding Taiwan in 2026. If the same playbook is used, it poses a serious threat to global stability. 

B. Krishwanth, Chennai

Steely resolve

In its initial report, the CCI said that leading steel companies have been reported to have flouted rules by ‘colluding’ in overpricing of steel items, which is undesirable. In fact, the report by the director general of investigation of the CCI holds top executives of well-known steel companies like Tata, JSW, and even Sail responsible, though they have refuted the allegations of wrongdoing. Though the final report is awaited, let us hope that these reputed groups will sort out the matter in a professional manner.

Satish Murdeshwar, Pune

Education bias

In the NEET entrance exam for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, about 40 Muslim students passed on merit for admission. Some bigoted upstarts, with no relation to the institute or education, took objection. They were protesting how Muslims can benefit from a trust managed by Hindus. The knee-jerk action of the National Medical Commission was to withdraw the permission given to run the MBBS course and thus docilely surrender to the arm-twisting of hooligans! This amounts to ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater’!

Anil Bagarka, Mumbai

Deepam verdict

The Tirupparankundram problem would not have surfaced at all if Justice GR Swaminathan had not ordered that the Karthigai Deepam should be lighted on the Deepathoon atop the Tirupparankundram hill, breaking the century-old practice of lighting the deepam at the Uchi Pillaiyar temple. The state government’s apprehension that changing the usual practice to satisfy the whims and fancies of a few might lead to serious law and order problems, as a Dargah has also existed there for centuries, sounds reasonable. It is unfortunate that the honourable judges have preferred to ridicule the state over their apprehension of the law and order problem.

Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai

RIP, M Gadgil 

Veteran ecologist Madhav Gadgil, 83, known for championing community rights and sustainable development, has passed away. He was best known for chairing the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel. His life’s work reshaped India’s environmental thinking and inspired generations to balance progress with ecological responsibility. Dr Gadgil was regarded as one of India’s foremost environmental thinkers who advocated for an approach to conservation that placed local communities at the heart of ecological protection. RIP Madhav Gadgil.

M.R. Jayanthy, Chennai

Height of medical negligence 

The surgical tools said to have been left in a woman’s stomach for 2.5 years in Era Medical College and Hospital (Jan 8) have shocked the nation. Need anybody stress that after surgery, it is the duty of surgeons and the medical team to ensure nothing is left in the body of the patient? It’s a clear case of utter negligence on the part of the whole medical team, and they cannot be absolved of the dereliction of duty, threatening the very life of the patient. Constituting a high-level committee to probe into the matter and initiating proper action against the concerned medicos will act as a deterrent.

H.P. Murali, Bengaluru