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Peace dialogue has no meaning

I agree with what H.K. Dua says in his front page editorial, “Call off the peace dialogue - to begin with” (December 23). Indeed, terrorists have the full confidence of the establishment in Pakistan. Actually, Pakistan’s spineless government has thrown all democratic norms to the winds. Pakistan has a history of abetting terrorism and spewing venom against India.

India’s patience with Pakistan is wearing thin. There have been marked escalations in the war of words between India and Pakistan. Such is the insensitivity of the Pakistan government that it allows its soil to be used as a breeding ground for terrorist groups.

Since Pakistan has failed to tighten the noose around the terrorists thriving on its soil, it is the duty of our government to call off the peace dialogue with Pakistan. It must be told in a language it understands so that the terrorist strikes come to an end.

DR SOSHIL RATTAN, Amritsar

II

There is no use of the peace dialogue when Pakistan is not prepared to change its rigid attitude. In fact, even the people-to-people contacts need to be stopped. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s assertion must be taken with a pinch of salt. Mr Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister of India, should stop banking upon foreign countries.

Mere cancellation of the cricket tour to Pakistan is not enough. Much more requires to be done. Tough words should be matched by tough measures.

K J S AHLUWALIA, Amritsar

III

India has clinching evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the Mumbai terror attack yet Pakistan is in a denial mode. To make it see reason, India should snap all ties with it. Why give it a long rope when it does not have the slightest compunction in making India bleed again and again?

India should have the guts to carry out surgical strikes on terror camps in Pakistan. India should not succumb to blackmailing by Pakistan. India cannot rely on the US to rein in the rogue state. It will have to wage a battle against the “non-state actors” on its own.

TARSEM S BUMRAH, Batala

IV

After the Mumbai carnage the outburst of the common man against the insensitive politicians was natural. The proactive media exposed the chinks in our governance.

On the other side, Pakistan as usual refused to accept the reality and engaged itself in an obvious cover-up exercise. The contradictory statements of Pakistani leaders on the issue of Qasab’s nationality created doubts in the minds of the world community as to whether the Pakistan government has the will to deal with the perpetrators of terror.

Pressure diplomacy as pursued by the Indian government had little impact. Though at the moment war may not be the solution to the problem, India can certainly snap social, cultural, trade and diplomatic ties with that country. India must provide clinching evidence to the international community against Pakistan.

COL KULDIP SINGH GREWAL (retd), Patiala

Democracy murdered

The editorial “Politics of extortion” (Dec 26) is a gruesome reminder of the state of anarchy in UP. I am shocked at the murder of PWD executive engineer M.K. Gupta.

This crime is worse than the Mumbai attack for one of our elected leaders, BSP MLA Shekhar Tiwari, is involved in it.

This is a murder of democracy. We call ourselves the largest democracy, but these elected goons have hijacked our democracy.

RAJWINDER PAL SINGH Amritsar

II

It's ironic that our Central government is on the verge of war to protect its citizens from jihadis, but is helpless in saving its citizens from their own elected leaders.

What is the use of the Central government if it cannot prevent such unlawful and heinous acts against its citizens?

RAJ KUMAR GOEL, Moga

Education for all The Right of Children’s Free and Compulsory Education Bill, which aims to provide free and compulsory education to those in the 6-14 age group, is welcome. But it can become a reality only if the government addresses the issue of poverty. Due to the rising prices and meagre incomes of a large number of people, it becomes difficult to fulfil even the basic needs of a family. So the poor are forced to withdraw their children from schools and send them to work, as they want an extra earning hand to make both ends meet. The prevalent misconception that the children are withdrawn from schools due to poor results is not wholly correct. The parents who are not educated themselves do not realise the importance of education. The onus also lies with the teachers. They will have to work with dedication and the government will have to create adequate infrastructure. Most of the laws passed by the government remain only on paper and are not being implemented. Let us hope that the right to education for children translates into education for all. AKANKSHA, Ludhiana