M A I L B A G

A lesson from Nepal

INDIA has always been Nepal's big brother and given much assistance to Nepal. But now it is India’s turn to take something from it. India has to take a lesson from the small Himalayan kingdom.

Whether Hrithik Roshan said anything about Nepal or the Nepalese people or not, one thing is clear that the Nepalese people have a lot of respect and love for their nation's pride and would not stand anything against their nation unlike their big brother where terrorists are given full freedom to spit venom against India, in India. The Government is on its knees against these terrorists and is urging them to go to Pakistan for so-called peace talks (or regrouping with their Pakistani lords and refining their terror strategy).

It is a matter of shame for a nation of 1 billion that the killing of a terrorist (in New Delhi) evokes protests from certain people and human rights activists ask for an inquiry but when these terrorists kill innocent people, there are no protests and the human rights organisations sit with their mouths shut.

ARMAN BISHNOI
Panchkula

Interference

Of late allegations have been made against the RSS for interfering in the religious affairs of the Sikhs. But those raising the accusing finger do not specify the type of interference. Propagating the message of the great Gurus cannot be called interference in the religious affairs of the Sikhs. If the Maryada is flouted, the instances should be mentioned. Specific instances of distortion should be quoted.

Taking Shri Guru Granth Sahib to a Hindu home is permissible but taking it to a temple is forbidden as per the utterances of some leaders. The message of the great Gurus is not meant only for the Sikhs. It is for the whole humanity. In areas formerly known as PEPSU, some temples reverentially keep Shri Guru Granth Sahib, under instructions of the erstwhile rulers. Those temples are still maintaining the tradition. What will be the stand of these so-called religious people towards such temples.

Mr Maan has gone a step further to say he will not allow RSS people to enter Gurudwaras. Many Sindhis are the disciples of Guru Nanak Devji but now the followers of Mr Maan will not allow them to pay obeisance at Gurudwaras.

Disenfranchising Sehjdharis from SGPC elections and the introduction of the Nanakshahi calendar are points at issue. Adopting wrong means to achieve a right end is not in consonance with Indian culture and way of life.

Those who have denigrated religious places have suffered heavily and those who denigrate are sure to suffer. Sewa of 'Guru Ghar' is the prerogative of all followers and not of a few who wield power at present.

S.S. AIRI
Kapurthala

POWs in Pakistan

This has reference to your editorial, "Hell called Pak jails" (December 20). I blame India more than Pakistan for the sad plight of Indian POWs rotting in Pakistan jails.

We committed our first blunder when Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, did not insist on the return of Indian POWs before returning nearly 95000 Pakistani POWs. Could we not have held back at least some of their POWs, preferably senior officers such as Lt. Gen. Niazi, to bargain for the return of our POWs?

Having committed that blunder her governments and the successor government which mostly belonged to the same party remained insensitive to securing the return of our brave soldiers.

The present government, though it came to power only a year ago, has also not taken any initiative in this regard. The hapless kith and kin of the POWs are a bewildered lot. The government, even at this late hour, should take some concrete steps to lessen their agony.

Wg Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd)
Jalandhar

OBCs and census

There is no separate column for the OBCs in the census form like the column meant for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. This shows neglect of this section of society. Apart from this, the request to raise the creamy layer limit from Rs 1 lakh has not yet been accepted. These days even the lowest employee has an income of about Rs 1 lakh a year. So the employees cannot think of deriving the benefit of being an OBC. The Central Government should raise the limit of creamy layer to Rs 5 lakh and provide a column in the census performa for the OBCs.

K.L. DHIMAN
Hamirpur