M A I L B A G

Advani must cross the Lakshman Rekha

HK Dua’s front-page editorial “Retreat from Karachi” (June 12) critically examines the controversy generated by Mr L.K. Advani’s statement on Jinnah. No doubt, it has generated a healthy debate on secularism. While the uncalled for comment on Jinnah has boomeranged on ‘secular’ Advani, it has given a new lease of life to certain ‘secular’ Hindus (read the Sangh Parivar).

One cannot reconcile with the Sangh Parivar’s myopic views on Jinnah being solely responsible for Partition. It has opened the Pandora’s box as far as the future relationship between the Sangh Parivar and the BJP is concerned.

The Congress, for once, toed the Parivar line in disowning Mr Advani’s comments on Jinnah. Indeed, as suggested by Mr Dua, if Mr Advani has to shed his hawkish image, he must cross the Lakshman Rekha drawn by the RSS, whatever the consequences.

RAJIV BHALLA,
Chandigarh

II

For a common man, Mr Advani’s statement shook the foundation of a belief of over half a century about Jinnah. For the Congress and the CPM, it was like letting loose a cat among the pigeons. They never knew how to react to the development. And for the BJP, it was a matter of internal power struggle where some people found it an excuse to hit back and settle scores with Mr Advani, albeit unsuccessfully.

Any dialogue between Pakistan and India at any level is faced with emotions and a bitter pill to swallow. We should try not to figure out “who was responsible for the Partition — Jinnah, the Congress or the British?” It should be of academic interest only. India and Pakistan should move forward and remove all irritants to usher in an era of peace.

Dr RAJ KUMAR GUPTA,
Chandigarh

III

The Sangh Parivar has created a major problem for the BJP. The RSS wants the BJP to toe the Hindutva line for returning to power and not to cross the Lakshman Rekha at any cost. The BJP is in the horns of a dilemma. If it makes overtures to Muslims, it will be charged with appeasement. Will it take the risk of straining its traditional ties with the RSS?

One should also see the RSS’ overall game plan. Will it shed its anti-minorities stand and allow the BJP to widen its base? In the larger interest of the country, Hindutva will have to be delinked from the politics of vote bank.

O.P. KALYANA,
Chandigarh

IV

Mr Advani enacted the drama to get closer to the minorities and improve his image in both India and Pakistan. The controversy following his remarks is of little consequence to him. This was at best a political gimmick, which Mr Advani seems to feel, would help him at the time of elections.

SHYAM SUNDER AIRI,
Kapurthala

Entrance tests must go The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to ban entrance test for admission to various technical and professional courses is welcome. All other states, IITs and IIMs should follow suit. The marks secured in 10+2 or in graduation examination should be the criterion for one’s admission to any course. Statistics show that those securing very high marks in 10+2 or in graduation examination also performed well in the entrance tests. Distance education has added a new dimension to the issue. For this, one need not clear any written test. Along with distance education, available for a reasonable fee, foreign universities are coming to India with various courses. Higher education or technical education in India is no more a social activity, but a very big commercial activity, particularly after the eighties. GURCHARAN SINGH, Mohali

Quality education

The minimum qualification for admission to B. Ed (JBT) training course should be graduation instead of 10+2 in Haryana. A 10+2 person may cope with the subject matter of primary standard but this qualification doesn’t make a teacher perfect. In addition, a teacher has to develop skills for knowing the students’ psychology, mentality and level of learning.

Moreover, a teacher has to deal with non-teaching works in a school. A graduate can accomplish the tasks better than a 10+2 student. Certainly, this will help enhance the quality of primary education in the state.

VIKAS KUMAR,
Mohra (Ambala)

Custodial deaths

Custodial deaths are increasing day by day. When Balbir Singh of Kapurthala died, a compensation of Rs 5 lakh was paid to the kin of the deceased. Is it just enough for such a barbaric incident? Is a human being worth just Rs 5 lakh? The National Human Rights Commission should take strong measures against the accused and help check custodial deaths.

GAGANDEEP KAUR,
Ludhiana

Railway counter

Chamba is an important tourist town in Himachal Pradesh. A large number of defence personnel and ex-servicemen also stay here. However, it does not have a railway booking counter. The nearest reservation centres are at Pathankot and Dharamshala, about 135 and 170 km respectively. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh should prevail upon Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to open a reservation counter at Chamba railway station soon.

SUBER SINGH PARIHAR,
Baloo (Chamba)