MyVoice: Views of our readers 16th October 2026

Owaisi’s double standards

The political narrative of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi who complains of SIR, claiming it to be anti-constitutional and statutory safeguards have been overlooked; and the voting right of eligible citizens have been jeopardised is very much part of the Opposition narrative – and he moved the Supreme Court challenging the manner in which the Election Commission is conducting SIR is deplorable. Interestingly, Owaisi is quite silent on infiltrators from Bangladesh who have settled in several states, including Telangana – while erstwhile TMC under Mamata Banerjee had helped such illegals providing them all needed documents to become eligible as voters. When Owaisi refuses to sing ‘Vande Mataram’ his credibility and credentials as a patriot Indian are in doubt.

K V Raghuram, Wayanad

Safety audits must in aviation sector

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s recent ban on the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 power bank following a fire incident underscores a critical aviation safety vulnerability. While swift regulatory prohibitions prevent immediate mid air hazards reactive bans address symptoms rather than the root cause. Uncertified low quality lithium ion batteries pose growing thermal runaway risks in pressurized cabins. To permanently mitigate this danger aviation authorities must mandate stringent pre boarding screening standards & establish a standardized certification registry for portable electronics. Simultaneously public awareness campaigns should educate travelers on safe battery capacity limits and transit storage. Ensuring flight safety demands proactive manufacturing accountability, strict airport enforcement & continuous safety audits rather than relying solely on post incident restrictions.

Dr Vijaykumar H K, Raichur

IDBI stake sale: Who benefits?

It is distressing that the Government of India had shed its major stake in IDBI to Fairfax Financial Holdings of Canada for ₹52878 crores. Was it wise to invite FDI in the banking sector in excess of 51% stakes, that too by a foreign entity? The earlier strategic disinvestment of Air India had indeed done no good to the aviation sector, then what good can be expected of the banking sector. The employees/retirees of the public sector units are badly affected by such strategic sales as they become devoid of their basic rights like pensions, pay revisions, etc.

P R Ravinder, Hyderabad

Meerut murder, an ‘open and shut’ case

The victim in this case, former Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput, was brutally murdered and his body parts were hidden in a blue plastic drum filled with cement. The trial court in Meerut heard arguments for over 13 months in this “open and shut case”(!) and finally awarded death penalty to both the accused. This is how victims or their family members in India continue to suffer inordinate delay waiting for justice, even after 78 years of independence. In this case also, the accused might approach higher courts seeking repeal of the death sentence, thus further delaying the implementation of the judgement of trial court! “Justice delayed is justice denied” and another saying “it is better a hundred guilty persons should escape than that one innocent should suffer”. But in India, the latter saying in English appears to have taken a toll of the judiciary causing undue delay in the delivery of justice, while the real culprits exploit the loopholes in the Indian laws. It is essential to set up special fast track courts to speed up disposal of serious crimes and cases of atrocities against women and children. Although several fast track courts are operational across the country, they still need to be increased in proportion to number of cases.

Govardhana Myneedu, Vijayawada

Healthcare affordability must accompany industry sustainability

This refers to “Price controls will be bad for healthcare,” (THI Oct 14). The Supreme Court’s suggestion to control the prices of all non-patented medicines and medical consumables, limiting the maximum retail price to 16 per cent above the retailer’s purchase price, highlights the need to make medicines affordable to ordinary people. However, price controls must also ensure that pharmaceutical companies, distributors and retailers earn reasonable profits to sustain their businesses and maintain supplies. Excessive restrictions could discourage investment and create shortages. The government must therefore strike a careful balance between public welfare and business interests. Transparent pricing, regular reviews of production costs and strict action against unfair profiteering can help achieve this objective. Essential and life-saving medicines deserve special attention, as patients should not be forced to choose between treatment and financial security. Pharmaceutical companies, too, must act responsibly and avoid exploiting patients for excessive profits. Ultimately, the goal should be simple: medicines must remain affordable for common people while ensuring that manufacturers can produce and supply them consistently.

N Sadhasiva Reddy, Bengaluru-560056

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India