Rights activist Binayak Sen's conviction is a national shame and a black mark on the criminal justice system (“Flawed evidence and conclusions,” Jan. 3). It is a move by the state to silence dissent, invoking vague Sections under the law. Tampering with evidence is nothing new in our country. Many politicians and affluent sections use their power and money to do so. But it hurts when an innocent person is punished.
While we boast that our country is the largest democracy, we forget that it thrives on disagreements and freedom of speech.
Varad Seshadri,
Sunnyvale
The unjust life sentence awarded to Dr. Sen saddens many of us, his friends. Today (Jan. 4) is Dr. Sen's birthday. We pray that in his tiny cell, with nothing but his heart and mind for company, he will be at peace. We wish for a day when he will be free and safe, surrounded by those he loves and cares for the most — the little, sick children brought to him for care.
Usha Jesudasan,
Katpadi
Our corrupt democracy is afraid of Dr. Sen. By punishing him, the corrupt system has punished idealism, humanity, and compassion. What makes him an enemy of the nation? The fact that one of his patients was a Maoist ideologue? Or the effort of his fact-finding team in exposing the atrocities committed by Salwa Judum? Each one of Dr. Sen's 33 visits to Narayan Sanyal in Raipur Jail was carried out under supervision.
I do not agree with much of what Arundhati Roy says. But that doesn't mean I believe that she ought to be arrested and tried, simply for speaking against the government.
Sonali Sahu,
Sambalpur
