M A I L B A G

The peace process has ended

In stark contrast to the diplomatic language used by the politicians and the papers, H.K. Dua’s front-page editorial, “The peace process has ended” (July 14), is highly objective, straight forward and conveys one message: It is time for action now!

Today, over-patience and over-tolerance are viewed as signs of weakness. Pakistan has assumed that for sure. Repeatedly, it has attempted to seize the Valley and Parliament and Mumbai but India has never shown any provocation except condemning the exasperated attempts of Pakistan. There are people and countries completely immune to vitriol approach and Pakistan is one of them. So let our soldiers flex their muscles now. For a long time, they have been restrained and their powerful arms might be aching for action. Whom does India fear?

Clearly, 9/11 and 7/7 had made George Bush and Tony Blair suffer the heat of terrorism. Mere strong-worded criticism by Bush of the Mumbai blasts can’t fill the slot or carry any effect on General Musharraf. The latter may simply laugh it off as a routine procedure. If Mr Bush really means business, he has to impose severe economic sanctions on Pakistan. If sanctions can be imposed for nuclear tests, why not for terrorist attacks too?

JAGVIR GOYAL, Chandigarh

II

It is only after every bomb blast that the government sounds a red alert, beefing up security in airports, railway stations, inter-state bus stands and other important installations across the country. Political parties always intend to take political mileage of such explosive situation to announce monetary and medical relief etc.

The main aim of the terrorists is to destabilise the country economically, politically and to create a wedge between different communities living peacefully. The valiant people of Mumbai have demonstrated exemplary courage and spirit at this hour of crisis. At the same time, the intelligence agencies which have failed to foresee the attacks need to be revamped as some nations abetting terrorism are unable to digest India’s rapid strides in many fields.

S.K. KHOSLA, Chandigarh

III

Killing of innocent people in the name of terrorism is unjustified and inhuman. Terrorism cannot be eliminated by force alone. It needs tonnes of preventive measures like CCTVs, corruption-free passport system and well trained, highly motivated and thoroughly professional security forces with least response time and very strong intelligence gathering.

All the root causes of terrorism must be identified and continually addressed which include institutionalised corruption, fake encounters, lack of transparency and accountability in the bureaucracy, excessive bureaucratisation and politicisation of almost all institutions across the country. Agencies like the CBI must become more efficient, autonomous, thorough and quick in their investigations.

R.P. RAMMOHAN, Hyderabad  

IV

Why do our governments wake up only after the terrorists attack as in Mumbai on Tuesday evening? Time and again, the only question
lingering in the mind is why the intelligence agencies have failed miserably to sniff out the terrorists. The people seem to have become toys in the hands of the politicians and the terrorists. Both terrorise us one way or the other, and our intelligence agencies are ready to help them, not us.

BIDYUT KUMAR CHATTERJEE, Faridabad

V

Tuesday’s bomb blasts in Mumbai prove once again the unprecedented strength of our unity in diversity. Whatever our caste, colour or creed, we are all one in the hour of need and crisis, and can stand as a rock against the forces of disruption.

The situation proves once again the basic truth of Sahir’s words: Zalim ko jo na rokey who shamil hae zulm mein; Qatil ko jo na tokey who qatil ke saath hae… It also proves, at the same time, that: Zalim ki koi zaat, na mazhad, na koi gaum, Zalim ke lab peh zikr bhi in ka gunah hae…

The blood that the terrorists shed is after all the blood of a nation — our own blood in any case.

NIDHI MALHOTRA, Panipat

VI

There may only be a handful of fundamentalists who have killed and injured  so many people in Mumbai and Kashmir? Can someone ask them what they have gained by killing innocent people?

Should the millions of other Muslims who are patriotic, peace loving and good human beings not tell the mad elements amongst them to desist from such inhuman acts? Can the Friday congregations not be used to spread the message of love and peace?

K.S. BHALLA, New Delhi