Thank you for your editorial 'The system is guilty'(www.hindustantimes.com, September 4) on Veerappan stating that the political system
is at fault. It appears, due to lack of actions on the part of the highly placed officers in the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka State Governments, that Veerappan has been able to get away with all his crimes.
The Government, the President and the Supreme Court need to examine the
situation in all states to ensure that justice is carried out and the
benefits of the Constitution reaches each and every Indian Citizen.
Arvind Amin on e-mail
II
After the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Governments failed miserably to solve the Veerappan episode and then in an act
of most cowardness trying to release the criminals demanded by Veerappan, there was a general feeling that
we have failed as a democracy. With Supreme Court saying no to the release of
criminals, it has raised our morals and to some extent, revived our faith in law and order.
Rupesh Jain on e-mail
Veerappan's demands
By dropping charges against many accused under pressure from alleged
smuggler and murderer Veerappan, Karnataka Government has become guilty of
failing to fulfil its prime duty of upholding the rule of the law and
protecting the innocent.
This irresponsible decision of the government and co-operation of the
judiciary in this matter will send the signals throughout the world that
India has become a lawless state.
Veerappan episode has proved that there is no place left for decent citizens
in the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Subash Chandra Bose.
Paramjit Bahia, U.K.
Narmada Valley project
I was very glad to read the article 'An invisible renaissance'(www.hindustantimes.com, August 24) by Medha Patkar. Even thousands of miles away in the U.S., we are increasingly hearing news about the happenings in the Narmada valley, about the
satyagraha that is going on, and about new micro-hydel and other
innovative projects taken up by the people there. It is very appropriate
that your newspaper chose to carry the voice of a person who is carrying
to the world the voices of people that are very rarely heard.
On reading Medha Patkar with one's heart in the right place, it is clear
that it is the moral imperative of everybody to recognize injustice,
especially when it is happening in the name of economic development. It is unfair for the privileged people to use resources at the expense of others who are
less privileged and hence less heard.
It reminds me of an insightful friend's statement - that urban people
building a large dam means that they are storing water that they need in
some villagers' farms. It is like building your house on a stranger's
land. Either you negotiate with that person before the event and agree on
satisfactory compensation, or if you cannot afford the price find some
other way of building your house. What has happened in the case of the
Narmada valley is that the house was built without asking the owner, and
then the actual owner is on the streets for 15 years and in the courts for
six years, asking for the least step of stopping the construction until the
compensation is done.
The role of government, police and politicians is in fact to do what the
Narmada agitation is doing - protect the rights of the people of the land.
It is heart-breaking to see news that the peaceful protestors are
routinely arrested and beaten, as is happening right now.
It is clear that with non-violent insistence on truth (satyagraha) and
justice (nyayagraha), the tribal people of the Narmada valley are
following the path of Gandhiji. What are the rest of us doing?
Kirankumar Vissa, Rockville, U.S.A.
Proxy war
Home Minister L.K.Advani had announced recently that India stands firm on defeating the proxy war waged by Pakistan. The very statement makes one question that why the proxy war was not controlled in the first place and then it was allowed to nourish
unabated for last ten years. It is amazing to see how Pakistan has sharpened its skills to wage a proxy war in Kashmir and how our government has blindfold itself to the Kashmir reality.
Yogesh Saxena, USA
II
Mr. Anand K. Sahay in his article 'Beyond the Vale'(www.hindustantimes.com, August 22), presents the Kashmir situation in a clear cut fashion.
Since the proxy war has began, India failed to exercise its right for
self-defence and in fact did not take the war seriously. Frequent changes in government along with the various coalition parties in power has been largely responsible for this. The present NDA Government has also been too slow to react, inspite of their
brave words and the Lahore visit. The lapses in security, equipment and supplies still persists and the enemy can once again take advantage and occupy more
Indian land.
Arvind Amin on e-mail
III
On Pakistan's Independence Day, General Musharraf called for Jihad against India. A day later, Prime Minister of India called on Pakistan to move to 21st century's way of resolving differences. How futile! It is time we realize that Pakistan will
never
give up its undeclared war against India. Kashmir is only a handy pretext to justify the proxy war against India. Peace in the sub continent is possible only if Pakistan is made to realize that there is a price to pay for its dream and that realization
would come only if India starts hitting back. Fortunately, we have every kind of military superiority to give us that option.
Colonel (Retd) Mohinder Kadyan,USA
Kursk tragedy
The questions being asked in the wake of the Kursk submarine
disaster are whether lives could have been saved by a more
efficient rescue operation, and how far national pride and
secrecy contributed to the tragedy. The admirals in Russia
know too well from past experiences that disclosing secrets to
the west could cost them their future. This may have led to
the delay in accepting western offers of help.
In the wake of Kursk tragedy in the Barents sea, it became
very clear that Russia had no divers and equipment necessary
to mount a rescue operation at the depth of 108 meters at
which the submarine was lying.
So it becomes increasingly clear and necessary that automatic
rescue operation be mounted by an independent International
agency in the wake of a disaster at sea. A "Global Maritime Disaster Response Regime." should be form and it should be funded and equipped by United
Nations Organization. The organization should
initiate action at the first sign a distress signal is
received. The charter should emphasize nonpolitical nature of
the organization.
Let us strive for 'Reach out', 'Rescue' and 'Recovery' to
avert another Kursk tragedy.
Ashok Trivedi on e-mail
Indo-Japan ties
Mr. Brahma Chellaney is right that India has become a
regional player in Asia by building a bridge with Japan. With the current
situation that India is facing because of its hostile neighbour Pakistan, nuclear armed with the Chinese help, India should have healthy friendly relationship with Japan.
Last 10 years of wilderness for India run by coalition governments has
damaged the progress and security of the country. The weakness allowed Pakistan to
start the proxy war and the Chinese to arm Pakistan with the nukes. A most
unfriendly act on part of the Chinese.
Our politicians while playing power politics, showed more love for personal
power rather than the love of the country. Instead of uniting India, we now have walls of hate created by the Sangh
Parivar. Its not too late for the BJP to
pull away from the hate mongers and take opportunity of Mr. Mori's visit to
India. With neighbours who have no love or care for India, there is an urgent
need to seriously consider the political situation within the country, or we could end
up losing our freedom and democracy.
Arvind Amin on e-mail
