I write in reference to Taniya Dutta's article New Delhi: Families grieve after more people killed in escalating violence (February 27): while it seems fairly clear to me that the riots in Delhi were an angry reaction to the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed in India's Parliament recently, they were essentially carried out by miscreants with a predisposition to violent behaviour. Lives were lost, Hindu-Muslim tensions were exposed and India's democracy was made to look bad at a time when US President Donald Trump was visiting the country.
Ultimately though, it was a relief to discover stories of Hindus saving the lives of Muslims and vice versa. This just goes to prove that Indians are still largely secular and peace-loving people – and therein lies a hopeful story when we talk about the future of our country.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Coronavirus panic is leading to stupid and racist behaviour
I write in reference your editorial Coronavirus: Can you tell fake news from real information? (February 27): yes, we have an epidemic on our hands. But the reaction of many people thus far has been ridiculous and often racist.
Some parents whose children have been admitted to hospitals have actually refused to let doctors or nurses who appear “Asian” to treat them. Such attitudes are silly, racist and potentially life-threatening, because doctors and nurses are well aware of the virus and know how to maintain a healthy regime.
Local Asian restaurants have been virtually empty and some have been shut down – perhaps permanently – as customers fear the “Asian virus”. What many of them don’t realise is that most non-Asian restaurants have a wide range of employees and any health risk eating there is the same as usual.
It’s time to listen to the people who know what they are doing.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne
I have had the temptation to smuggle a tiny black kitten home
I write in reference to Kareem Shaheen's article Istanbul's cats can bring even gun-toting security officers to their knees (February 27): I had the most adorable tiny black kitten approach me on the street. I picked it up and it snuggled into my neck, purring. Never have I been so tempted to smuggle a kitten home.
Paul Martin, Monterey