M A I L B A G

What needs to be done to resolve Kashmir tangle

In his article “Rendezvous at Roosevelt: India and Pakistan begin exploring peace” (Sept 29), H.K. Dua has rightly stated that it will require a lot of time and patience and
considerable political will to find a solution to the Kashmir problem. I feel the solution  hinges on three critical points:
 First, there has to be a give and take on Kashmir by both India and Pakistan. Second, there are not two but three parties to the problem — India, Pakistan, and the people of Kashmir. So, all three will have to be involved in the negotiations. And third, Dr Manmohan Singh and his government alone cannot solve this problem. The Opposition has to support them. Hence, there is no scope for the NDA to play political games on this critical issue if they sincerely want to solve the problem.

While the above points are being addressed, people-to-people contacts must continue even with greater vigour.

ANUSHA SINGH, (Student, Lady Sriram College, New Delhi), Camp: Ambala Cantt

II

H.K. Dua has opened the blind alley of the complex Kashmir problem with many routes, involving secular national sentiments of India vis-a-vis Pakistan’s claim of Kashmir as a Muslim state, along with their capacity to resolve the territorial issue, which led to three mutual wars.

Natural divisions create nations whereas unnatural divisions divide the families, i.e. Indo-Pak Partition, which is the core issue and not Kashmir. Pakistan is worried about 20 lakh Kashmiri Muslims whereas India has to safeguard the interest of 20 crore Indian Muslims.

Having failed to achieve her so-called core issue of Kashmir through three wars, Pakistan has now adopted a proxy war. Over 95 per cent people want peace with dignity. People-to-people contact will promote the peace process leading to the union of families. For the time being, a little adjustment on either side of the Line of Control will wok wonders.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

III

On several occasions, Pakistan has attempted to deviate from the agreements and declarations signed by the governments of India and Pakistan. India has always considered them as the basis for resolving any dispute that may arise with Pakistan. The territorial disputes cannot be resolved overnight. Mr Dua has rightly asserted: “Surely, President Musharraf and his advisers must have known that the Prime Minister of India would not be serving Kashmir at the table.”

Pakistan has always been using terrorism as a weapon to annex Kashmir, but it can never succeed. Terrorism is a double-edged weapon. It cuts both the victim and its perpetrator. Talks on Kashmir cannot succeed unless Pakistan halts terrorism from across the border.

IQBAL SINGH, Bijhari (Hamirpur)

IV

The solution of complex problems like Kashmir calls for an extremely sincere, honest and step-by-step approach from the leaders of both countries. If we keep politics at bay, we can resolve any problem whatsoever. As regards General Musharraf’s reported statement that “I will think and get back to you” to a query from Dr Manmohan Singh for possible solutions to resolve the Kashmir issue, the ball is now in the General’s court.

Pakistan should not whip up people’s emotions and refrain from rhetoric meant for domestic consumption. Why waste money mindlessly on the purchase of defence equipment? Instead, deploy the same funds for alleviating poverty in both countries.

GURDERSHAN SINGH, Chandigarh

Need for a bus stand

Dharampur is a beautiful town of Himachal Pradesh. It is also an important tourist destination. It has a century-old sanatorium, a reputed watch factory and yoga centre. It has leading public schools and a food court comprising major eating joints. Surprisingly, however, there is no bus stand. Buses stop and park on the national highway here. Even the taxi stand is on the national highway now. This has created a major traffic bottleneck.

The residents of Dharampur have repeatedly demanded the construction of a proper bus stand but in vain. The only proper site available is in front of the Modern Dhaba, where there is an Army store. In the past too, people have appealed to the authorities for making this site a bus-cum- taxi stand and giving an alternative suitable site to the Army for their store. The authorities concerned should take suitable measures to provide the town a proper bus stand to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Dr A.L. ADLAKHA, Dharampur

Bush’s folly

In my mother tongue, Malayalam, there is this saying: Valiyil irikyunna pambinapidichu konakam uduthu (someone stupidly caught hold of a snake from bush and wore it as a G-string). That is precisely what Bush ended up doing in Iraq.

C.A.L. MOLANGUNNA- THUKAVU, Mumbai