Hello readers, good to see you in 2025.
To begin on a positive note, this Readers’ Editor column is dedicated to sharing some of the mail I have received from you over the past three months.
While going through the mail, one thought struck me: gosh, you people have views on almost everything—and you’re not shy about sharing them. One minute, I am being questioned about the “Razakars and their oppressive rule” and why ThePrint hasn’t written about it. Next, a reader demands an app for the website. Then there’s a reader from Thailand who wants to contribute articles to ThePrint: “… greatly appreciate the content you provide…”
The fourth is a shoutout from a regular correspondent who appreciates “…the significant course correction in your bias against Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP…”
Just as I am puffing out my chest in satisfaction, another frequent writer hits me with a strongly-worded rebuke: He accuses ThePrint of publishing “…blatant fake news on your platform…”
You see what I mean about the variety of feedback?
Also read: Dear readers, ThePrint has heard you — We now offer you a login-based, ad-lite experience
Aurangzeb, Razakars—inside ThePrint mailbox
Let’s tackle the criticism first since this is where you, the reader, hold us accountable. In general, the criticism is aimed at Opinion pieces by contributors to ThePrint.
The accusation of “fake news” was directed at TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose’s op-ed: Why BJP uses divisive ‘Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain’ instead of inclusive ‘Ek Hain Toh Mazboot Hain’. The reader specifically objected to this: “In Maharashtra, former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has made divisive statements warning of “Vote Jihad,” and made derogatory references to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.”
The reader asked: “Can she explain what she means by “derogatory”? WAS AURANGZEB A SUFI SAINT?”
While Ghose chose not to expand on the alleged “derogatory references,” interested readers can always search for them online.
Another reader who wrote in about the Razakars also wanted to know whether ThePrint would publish articles on “the book written by Dr. B R Ambedkar ‘Pakistan and the partition of India’ which busts the Dalit Muslim Unity narrative… or these topics are NOT secular?”
Such allegations regularly fill the mailbox. People on different sides of an argument often hurl accusations: ‘Are you anti Hindu? Are you pro-BJP?’
For the record, ThePrint has no religious bias or political agenda: It seeks out and reflects many viewpoints in its Opinion section—please go through the section and judge for yourself.
Onto a reader who wrote: “The above article appears to be paid news,” referring to this Opinion piece by senior editor Manasi Phadke for ThePrint’s Newsmaker of the Week column: Eknath Shinde is stronger than ever. He still won’t get the CM chair. Well, Phadke got it right: Shinde is not the chief minister of Maharashtra.
Readers often disagree with a particular writer’s argument or remarks—that’s good. It would be boring and unhelpful if we all agreed on everything. So, do keep the criticism coming—we take it in good faith.
Also read: App demands, ad complaints, admiration — what’s really trending in ThePrint’s mailbox
Readers’ scrutiny on ThePrint’s coverage
In December 2024, a reader got upset over what she believed was ThePrint’s indifference to labour issues and wanted to know why ThePrint reporter who attended a protest by government employees hadn’t written about it: “…just because maybe it’s not a big breaking news for you & That problem of labour class doesn’t matter for you..” she wrote.
Nothing of the sort: A report by Shubhangi Misra was published: ‘Babus make us do household work without pay.’ Workers protest, demand fair wages from Delhi govt.
One reader from Bihar accused ThePrint of ignoring Bihar politics: “…there had been lot of political activities in Bihar…But I didn’t find a single news article or video on your website or YouTube channel…I expect from The Print that it should focus fairly on the state politics not just focusing on few states where you get more subscribers…”
We have our reporter Jyoti Yadav to do ground reports from Bihar and a stringer who regularly covers news for the publication. Here are links to five stories from Bihar published over the past month:
Protesting BPSC aspirants continue push for re-examination amid allegations of political ‘intrusion’
The story of Bihar’s two mafias—sand and booze
Bihar has even tried election-level security to fix BPSC leaks. Nothing is working
Sole NDA ally to question Centre’s draft rules on university V-C appointments, what is JD(U)’s stand
Before we move on, a more general complaint about this and that: “Hello Ms Shailaja Bajpai,” wrote one of my regular correspondents. Hello to you too, sir.
He wrote: “Most of the issues I used to rant about are resolved. Some still missing: …No ability to ‘save’ articles for a paid subscriber… UT (YouTube) broadcasts still have irritating ads interrupting your broadcast every now and then. Still not much coverage of the South…Very poor coverage on sports – esp our recent Chess wins and the turmoils in Cricket…And yeah / Greeting of the season and New Year to you and the great teams @ The Print and lemme hope some of the above will be worked upon.”
Thank you, and duly noted.
Compliments, support—and submissions
Ah, now for the compliments: It’s always heartwarming and reassuring when a reader writes in with, “ThePrint team is doing a great job.” Or, “…I am one of your avid readers. Very soon I might be a subscriber of your excellent online publication…”
There’s also this: “(I) have immense admiration for the depth, balance, and clarity reflected in your pieces—especially the opinion section. It is a beacon of thoughtful journalism that continues to inspire critical thinking among readers across the country.”
“A dedicated reader…” is also an “…admirer of the fearless journalism of ThePrint. “I am writing to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity provided by ThePrint, which offers a platform for the voices of readers like myself to contribute meaningful perspectives on pressing issues.”
That readers like what they read on ThePrint.in is clear from the high volume of articles submitted for publication. Each day, I receive two to three pieces in my inbox. Unfortunately, we cannot publish many of them due to factors such as outdated topics or the quality of the submissions.
I’ve mentioned this before: The best way to have your articles featured on ThePrint is to become a subscriber and submit your piece to the ‘Your Turn’ section.
Readers have varied interests, which they hope others would like to read about. And they’re highly knowledgeable: I have just received a long essay on the Cholas, following the public historian and ThePrint columnist Anirudh Kanisetti’s two articles on the dynasty. The reader has written about ‘Reassessing the Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia: A maritime rivalry, not imperial expansion’.
There were articles on COP29, ‘Trump’s appeal to the heartland’, the new reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, China’s mega dam project in Tibet along the India-China border, and on a subject most of us know little about: polymetallic nodules and “why it’s imperative for India.”
A wildlife enthusiast sent a piece titled “The Tragic Tale of T-86 ‘Chirico’: A Stark Reminder of the Human-Animal Conflict.” And there’s one on ‘Periyar, Dravidian nationalism, and the opposition political parties in Tamil Nadu.’
In the past few months, I have noticed a new trend: applications for a job at ThePrint. There were several, which I have passed on to the HR. I wish the aspirants the best of luck.
Besides this, I receive detailed commentaries on many subjects from readers who simply wish to share their views—these are not for publication. “I gave valuable suggestions to parliament. I must have won the award…,” begins one such mail.
Ok, that’s it for this month: Please continue to share your views with the Readers’ Editor: You help make us a better news portal.
Shailaja Bajpai is ThePrint’s Readers’ Editor. Please write in with your views and complaints to readers.editor@theprint.in
(Edited by Prashant)