L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Tackle Maoist threat collectively

After every attack the Maoists and their political supporters apologise to the families of their civilian victims but their systematic bloodbaths have continued uninterrupted (editorial, “Tackling sabotage” May 29). Every time the argument has been that their inhuman brutality was the result of state action. All this is blatant hypocrisy and befooling the gullible.

Let us – the people and the government – realise that a terrorist never distinguishes between the civilians and the security forces. If the Maoists were sympathetic to the civilians and particularly the tribal people why are they destroying civil utilities like roads, rail tracks, transport vehicles, schools and hospitals, which are already scarce in these areas?

We need to educate the masses about the arrogance of these anti-state and anti-civilisation Maoists who are trying to shake people’s faith in democracy and democratic institutions.

The Maoist menace is a national threat. All political, social and cultural organisations must rise above their differences and must meet this challenge collectively and decisively.

VED GULIANI, Hisar

SHABINA SAVITA, Noida

III

India is bleeding due to the Maoist menace and terrorism. Innocent persons are being killed and the country’s image is being tarnished. Many districts of our country have become virtually ungovernable.

There is no dearth of competent ministers. Only they learn lessons to forget immediately. Lack of political will, indifference and indecision is taking its toll and sending wrong messages to the enemies of our country. But who cares?

BK CHAUDHARI, UK

Important research

The landmark experiment carried out by Dr Craig Venter and his team of scientists is reported to be successful in producing synthetic bacterium (editorial, “Synthesising life”, May 25).

This research is expected to spark a revolution as it can be used to develop specific bacteria that can serve useful functions in medicine and other industries.

It can also be used further to develop artificial bacteria for bio-fuel or for tackling environmental hazards. This is a welcome turning point, but the new research should help mankind. It should be used for peace and not against it.

 HARJEEV KUMAR, Ferozepur City

Ephemeral life

Krishna Mohan’s middle “The last journey” (May 15) was interesting and moving. Indeed all of us who visit the cremation ground realise that the worldly desires are nothing in the ultimate analysis. However, these emotions are momentary and we go back to the humdrum of life and forget that life is ephemeral.

RIKHI DASS THAKUR, Palbhu, Hamirpur

Death for Kasab

The article “Ill-timed controversy” (May 28) by Mahi Pal Singh provides a peep into the worldview on abolition of death sentence. It is true that a civilised society must do away with death penalty. But in the case of Ajmal Kasab, being rare of the rarest cases, it cannot apply.

Can those killed intentionally in different places in Mumbai or the loss of our security personnel who attained martyrdom on 26/11 be brought back to life? Does the agony of affected families not raise our hackles? Kasab should have been tried in a military court and hanged till now to meet the ends of justice.

GURMIT SINGH SAINI, SAS Nagar

Visa blues I read the report, “Canadian authorities denied decorated cop visa twice” (May 28). This is not the first case of its kind. Many eminent, respectable and bonafide Indian citizens face harassment in Canadian and American consulates, followed by further humiliation at their ports of entry or airports, if they are lucky enough to get a visa. It doesn’t matter if the affected person is one of eminence or an ordinary mortal. But what does matter is that he is an Indian citizen, being discriminated against on grounds which are beyond the jurisdiction or authority of the US, Canada or any other country. Just being a developed country doesn’t give it the right to treat other less privileged people or countries with condescension. This holier-than-thou attitude is actually alienating these countries from the rest of the world. In 2002, I was a part of a team comprising eight eminent professionals, including engineers, teachers and doctors, selected to attend the prestigious Group Study Exchange Programme of the Rotary International in Canada. It was a nightmare to attend the visa interview at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. All of us were refused visa point blank as if we had committed some crime by being selected for a prestigious programme and applying for a Canadian visa. The rude and arrogant visa officers didn’t even bother to ask us any questions to establish our social, economic or family ties to our country and refused visa without assigning any valid reason. A visa officer condescendingly told me to travel to some other countries before heading for Canada, as if only high-flyers and globetrotters could visit Canada. RUPESH BHANDARI, Amritsar