Time was when all incidents of violence in Kolkata, and West Bengal for that matter, were laid at the door of the Communist parties (“Clashes mar Shah’s Kolkata rally”, May 15). The spate of violence during this general election shows that while the Left appears to have taken a backseat, parties such as the Trinamool and the BJP are at the fore in indulging in poll-related violence. The ugly events in Kolkata on Tuesday evening are a blot on democracy; election campaigns are not the prerogative of any single party. The State government too has not covered itself in glory by attempting to create hurdles for its rivals.

C.V. Aravind,

Bengaluru

The incidents point to how educational institutions have become heavily politicised. The vandalism at Vidyasagar College is deplorable and only an impartial inquiry will pin responsibility. Wilful provocation of peaceful people professing different political ideologies from that of the ruling party should not be condoned. It is odd that intellectuals and the media have failed to condemn the provocation and only jumped in to deplore the consequences of the political conflict without going into the history of the conflict. It is no wonder then that their contribution towards a peaceful Bengal is almost nil.

Maitreyee Moitra,

Kharagpur, West Bengal

Some people and leaders give not a tuppence for the teachings and philosophy of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a Renaissance man, and are only intent in creating unrest. A bust going bust has now become an issue. Vidyasagar would be happy if the political class pays heed to his ethics and ethos.

G. Bhattacharyya,

Kolkata