Letters to The Editor — May 21, 2026

Bail ruling

The Supreme Court of India’s reflection on its earlier bail ruling is a welcome reminder that justice must not be delayed into denial.

When trials stretch endlessly, liberty becomes collateral damage. Bail is not mercy but a constitutional right tied to freedom and fairness. The Court’s acknowledgment that prolonged incarceration violates the spirit of justice should guide all future decisions under stringent laws.

Upholding personal liberty while ensuring accountability is the true test of judicial balance. India’s great democracy depends on courts that correct themselves and reaffirm that the rule of law protects citizens, not just prosecutes them.

K. Chidanand Kumar,

Bengaluru

Rationality in politics

The recent and stunning electoral success of the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in Tamil Nadu has paved the way for several youngsters to become Members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

This will naturally encourage more young people to view politics as a career option, which is healthy for a democracy. However, what message does a TVK MLA send to youngsters when she claims to hold an “honorary doctorate in astrology” and conducts meetings with Corporation officials, who reportedly “voluntarily” met her at her “astrology consultancy office” (Tamil Nadu page, “TVK MLA criticised for meeting officials in ‘astrology office’”, May 20)? Will not youngsters influenced by her political success begin to think that a degree in astrology is a desirable qualification for securing an MLA ticket from the TVK, and start pursuing such qualifications?

As a political party seeking to govern Tamil Nadu, the TVK cannot shy away from its responsibility to curb pseudoscientific practices, which have the potential to erode rational thinking, in the public sphere.

A. Venkatasubramanian,

Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu