M A I L B A G

Kashmir issue: four options

IT is generally believed that there is no problem that doesn’t have a solution. Of course, one may have to hunt for it and the best place for this is the negotiating table. Lately some people have suggested that the pre-condition for Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism may be relaxed.

As in “Kaun Banega Crorepati” there are four options to solve the Kashmir issue (a) The whole of Kashmir remains with India (b) The whole of Kashmir goes to Pakistan (c) One side of LOC remains with India and the other side with Pakistan (d) The whole of Kashmir is declared as an independent state.

The option (c) offers the most realistic and judicious solution and is, therefore, worth “locking”. Incidentally some well-meaning and eminent persons have also suggested that LOC should be declared as the international border to solve the vexed Kashmir issue.

In our culture, common to both countries, the position of a neighbour is very high, even better than a real brother. Let this lofty ideal prevail in its truest sense to guide our thoughts and actions.

WG CDR C. L. SEHGAL (Retd)
Jalandhar

Burgeoning bureaucracy

This has reference to the article “Burgeoning Bureaucracy: how public funds are wasted” by Mr Joginder Singh (Nov 15).

This is a welfare state only in name and nothing is done to deserve the epithet except some doles to the gullible during the election time.

The state belongs to only three sections of society, namely the politicians, the bureaucracy and the industrialists who have monopolised the resources of the country.

SNEH SHARMA
Chandigarh

Victim of anti-dalit prejudices

This refers to your editorial “Go, Governor, go” (Nov 6), Mr Suraj Bhan was abruptly transferred due to anti-dalit prejudices. He has been fighting the continued denial of justice to the SCs & STs.

If a “His Excellency” belonging to SCs is victimised what would be the fate of ordinary SCs elsewhere in our country. This is the gravest act of discrimination.

VIRU MAL
Chandigarh

Sonia’s victory

Kudos for the forthright editorial “Sonia’s victory” (Nov 17), calling a spade a spade.

As the editorial points out, Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s electoral victory was a foregone conclusion, not a little because of palpably weak adversary and a transparently “loopholed electoral system”.

Mr Jitendra Prasada was no match to Mrs Gandhi, enjoying the rich Nehru-Gandhi legacy plus the services of a “committed brigade” of sycophants. Mr Prasada is only a neo convert/champion of the cause of intra-party democracy. Till recently he was very much part and parcel of the so-called “coterie”. Thus he did not inspire confidence among the party delegates at large.

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

Mandal messiah

This has reference to your editorial, “The return of V.P. Singh” (Nov 15). I agree with most of the points mentioned in the editorial for which the former Raja of Manada would be remembered.

He communalised every section of the society to gain political mileage and manipulated Mandalism, following the policy of “divide and rule”.

People like Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav are two products of Mandalism.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR
Jalari (Hamirpur)

Last hope

One only wonders whether the letting of foreign press in India is to undermine the intellectual position of the Indian Press.

Print media remains the last hope of those committed to preserving the culture and identity of the nation.

UMED SINGH GULIA
Gohana

Mind-boggling

It is mind-boggling that government spends Rs 32,000 monthly on running a vehicle. It is common to see Government vehicles being used by families for shopping.

M. R. VARMA
Dharampur (HP)

Only bureaucracy

We may call India a democracy, but in fact it has already been converted into a bureaucracy.

DALIP SIGNH WASAN
Patiala