Letters to The Editor — February 16, 2026

‘Welfare’ concerns

Pre-election welfare announcements targeted at specific voter groups, particularly when timed strategically close to election dates, raise important ethical and regulatory questions. This political template, pioneered during the tenure of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalithaa, and subsequently witnessed in several States — Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar and now Tamil Nadu and West Bengal — now appears to be shaping campaign strategies across the country. If such practices become the norm, they could blur the line between genuine welfare policy and electoral advantage. Therefore, it may be time for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to undertake a review of the Model Code of Conduct to ensure clarity, fairness, and a level playing field in elections. Whether the ECI is prepared to address this evolving challenge remains to be seen.

S.R. Patnaik,

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Microplastic warning

There is no doubt that the Madras High Court has delivered a significant and timely judgment (Tamil Nadu, “Water, salt, and sugar packs must carry warning on presence of micro, nanoplastics: Madras HC”, February 15). By directing the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to require warning labels on packaged water, salt, and sugar regarding microplastic contamination, the High Court has taken an important step toward consumer awareness and public health protection in India. However, a crucial question remains. Who will determine the permissible limits of microplastics in food products? Studies have detected worrying levels of microplastics even in seafood. Clear regulatory standards, backed by scientific assessment, are needed as time is running out.

H. Panicker,

Mulakuzha, Chengannur, Kerala

Linguistic concerns

India’s linguistic diversity risks being undermined by the growing use of Hindi in official names and central schemes. A recent example is the renaming of the Executive Enclave as “Seva Teerth”. This trend risks marginalising non-Hindi speakers and creating the impression of India moving toward a Hindi-only national identity.

Benci Jerald B.R.,

Chennai