MAILBOX

Photo: Prabir Das

Fake Medicine
According to the Special Powers Act 1974, the highest punishment for manufacturing and selling fake and adulterated drugs is death or lifetime imprisonment. But these stipulations are not being implemented to the fullest extent due to weaknesses in the legal fabric and lack of initiatives by the authorities. Despite mobile court drives, the illegal business of making and selling fake drugs has been going on unabated in the country. Over the last eight months, more than 700 cases have been filed against various individuals and organisations by mobile courts under the Directorate General of Drug Administration. These cases had been filed on charges of preserving, storing and selling of fake, adulterated, expired, low quality and unapproved drugs. In my opinion, making fake medicine is the worst form of crime. Perpetrators of such crimes deserve the highest punishment under law.
Arnob Uditi
Shegun Bagicha, Dhaka

Death in the Digital Age
It's a well written article and it makes me wonder if we have lost all senses of decency in this digital age. Celebrities have little or no privacy these days. The media feels that the readers have a right to know everything about a celebrity—even matters that are very personal—like relationship problems or financial details.  The ordeal of the celebrities does not end even with their death. People post cruel jokes on Facebook or Twitter that go viral, hurting the feelings of their family members and friends. Do we ever take time to consider that these people are made of blood and flesh just like us and they may have some feelings?
Farhana Khan
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Parliamentary Dictatorship
The current parliament is not accountable to the people because its members were 'elected' in a one-sided farcical election. Therefore, a proposal on amending the constitution to restore the parliament's power to impeach Supreme Court judges on grounds of misconduct and incapacity is nothing but an attempt by the ruling party to consolidate more power. The three branches of the government—the executive, the legislative and the judiciary—ensure checks and balances and transparency in the functions of the government. The AL has already established absolute control over the executive and the legislative branches. Now if they are successful in controlling the judiciary as well, there will indeed be a 'Parliamentary Dictatorship' in this country.
Md Jahangir Alam
Kushtia

Photo: Prabir Das

The Desire of Taste Buds
The pictures of the mouth-watering fuchkas are refreshing to look at. If fuchka can be prepared in healthier settings and presented to the customers in cleaner plates and bowls, I believe fuchka can be even more popular among those who are a bit skeptical about having street food because of health reasons.
Alamagir Sattar
Banani, Dhaka

Modi and the Major Powers
The article by a former foreign secretary of India sheds light on India's future foreign policy. While some credit must be given to Modi for reaching out to neighbours, it remains to be seen what policy changes his administration brings to translate grand rhetoric into action. India must stop acting like the big brother in the region and be more open and understanding when it comes to dealing with smaller neighbours like Bangladesh. India once stood for idealism as far its foreign policy was concerned. Mahatma Gandhi opposed the creation of Israel as he was against the creation of countries based on religion.  India did not subscribe to the Partition of Palestine plan of 1947 and voted against Israel's admission in the United Nations in 1949.  Now, some leaders close to Modi are trying to give India a “Hindu Identity”. The fact is India has always been a mosaic of different religions, cultures and languages. Any attempt to make it a country with homogeneous population is bound to fail miserably. The sooner Modi realises that, the better for India and the world.
Naila Karim
Uttara, Dhaka

The Silent Conversation
Although the Bangla Sign Language enjoys the status of a language of Bangladesh by the declaration of the government, it still does not have any legal protection and no steps have been taken towards its institutionalisation. Consequently, sign language users do not have access to information and services including education, health services and employment opportunities. The efforts of the Society of the Deaf and Sign Language Users (SDSL), the only organisation attempting to teach sign language using an organised framework are commendable. I hope many more organisations will come forward to promote the Bangla Sign Language.
Badal Raihan
Dhanmondi, Dhaka

The Forgotten Trailblazer
I want to appreciate the Star for remembering Maulvi Tamizuddin, one of the greatest leaders of this country. Born in Faridpur, well aware of the rural life and its problems, Maulvi Tamizuddin stepped in the field of politics when anti-Bengal Partition Movement reached its peak. During Khilafat Movement, he took part in boycotting the British Courts and went to the extent of getting his brother out of a British school. Maulvi Tamizuddin was arrested for his political activities and sent to the Faridpur jail and then shifted to the Central Jail in Dhaka where he began reading and understanding the Holy Quran. These sufferings had great impact on the personality of Maulvi Tamizuddin. Later, when the British government wanted to give him the title of 'Khan Bahadur', he refused to accept it. How many politicians today have such integrity?
Mohammad Qamruzzaman
Dubai, On Email