Letters to the Editor

Kashmir

KASHMIR’S hatred for the rulers at both the Centre and the State is widespread (Cover Story, May 26). There is a significant trust deficit in the new generation, which believes that the Central government is influenced by Hindutva. The security forces have had to bear the brunt of the public’s anger.

The immediate need is to restore people’s trust in the administration so that the security forces can focus their attention on the external threat from Pakistan-aided terrorists. The government cannot ensure peace in the Valley through force but has to walk the extra mile to talk to dissidents and all the stakeholders. Only then can it bring the people of Kashmir back to the mainstream political life of India.

N.C. Sreedharan, Kannur, Kerala

Kazi Nazrul Islam

ONE cannot but regret the fact that being “misappropriated” is the fate of most icons (“Yet another falsity”, May 26). Incidentally, the Bangladesh government offers a handy instance of such “misappropriation”. It could not, or rather did not, rise above petty religious narrowness and arranged the burial of Kazi Nazrul Islam in the most indecent haste. In the fitness of things, his mortal remains should have been handed over to India for burial at his birthplace in Churulia, Paschim Bardhaman.

Ranjitkumar Ghose, Hooghly, West Bengal

Art of Living

IT is unfortunate that the AOL foundation is engaged in a slugfest with the NGT (“Art of defiance”, May 26). Using his access to the powers that be, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was able to conduct the World Cultural Festival on the Yamuna floodplains despite objections from environmentalists and others. It was a private function, and hefty sums were charged for participation. The NGT is right in levying a hefty fine on AOL. In future, the NGT should forbid such functions in eco-sensitive zones. India cannot afford to be careless with its natural resources.

H.N. Ramakrishna, Novi, Michigan, U.S.

S.S. Kannan

THANK you for the article “A life of service” (May 26) with reference to my brother. I would like to clarify a point: Vice Chancellor S. Radhakrishnan of Benaras Hindu University did not allow the Army to enter the university campus. He only advised students to seek shelter outside as he could not keep the Army from entering the campus for long.

S.S. Rajagopalan, Chennai

Lawlessness

WHILE on the one hand Aadhaar has become the numero uno identity card for citizens, without which they will be denied the benefits and services offered by the government, on the other hand cow vigilantes and animal rights activities are preventing the cattle trade, dairy farming and even the legitimate slaughterhouse business (“Tricks of a trade”, May 26). Poor people in the minority community suffer when their livelihood is adversely affected in this changed atmosphere. The government should do something to change this situation.

K.P. Rajan, Mumbai

Maoist attack

THE cold-blooded massacre of CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh can be construed to be part of the Maoists’ nefarious strategy to thwart the government’s developmental initiatives and derail law and order (“Deadly attack, May 26). The incident exposed the Maoists’ scant regard for human life and is testimony to their ability to strike at will. While the growth of left-wing extremism over the years can be attributed to the skewed policies of successive governments—which have led to poverty, unemployment and uneven development—the Maoists’ use of violence as a means to redress their grievances is unacceptable.

One is baffled by the conspicuous silence maintained by activists who raise a hue and cry at the drop of a hat for the supposed human rights violations perpetrated by the armed forces in States such as Kashmir and Assam. The government’s top priority should be to hasten developmental initiatives and address the bread-and-butter issues of the the poor and the marginalised sections of society who live in the “red corridor”.

B. Suresh Kumar, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

THE Maoist movement is growing stronger and politicians seem to be at a loss in dealing with it. Further, the frequent attacks in Chhattisgarh has given the impression that the State government is helpless, which has emboldened the Maoists. Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s stock statement in reference to the attack would only make sense if the Centre in coordination with the State government first establishes the rule of law in Maoist-controlled areas and then addressed people’s legitimate grievances in a concerted manner.

K.R. Srinvasan, Secunderabad, Telangana

Communalism

THE article “Loot and arson” (April 28) told a tragic tale of shame, unbefitting for a nation that boasts a secular Constitution and an ancient culture of tolerance and brotherhood. Such communal destruction and looting is sheer lawlessness. The perpetrators of such crimes get off scot-free and are appreciated as patriots and makers of a Hindu Rashtra by those who follow an exclusionist theory of hatred against minorities. The state must protect everyone equally.

M.N. Bhartiya, Alto Porvorim, Goa