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Religion stands for harmony

In his front-page editorial, “India cannot be at war with itself” (Aug 8), H. K. Dua has aptly observed that politicians, like children, cannot be allowed to play with fire. The land issue is taking an ugly turn and corrective steps brook no delay.

Sadly, former Jammu and Kashmir Governor S. K. Sinha took an initiative without proper application of mind. He transferred the land to the Amarnath Shrine Board by passing an order which had to be reversed. This is not good governance.

Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti should be renamed Shri Amarnath Sadbhavana Samiti. Religion stands for harmony, not discord. The Samiti should, in national interest, withdraw its demand for the 100-acre land or keep it in abeyance and request the state government to provide extensive facilities and protection to the Amarnath Yatris.

This is not the time to discuss the merits of the case. Politicians should rise above petty politics. They would do well to remember that Gandhiji used to call off an agitation if the protestors turned violent even though the objective of the movement was laudable. According to Gandhiji, means are as important as the ends and improper means should not be employed to achieve even proper ends. Both means and ends must be pure.

CHITRANJAN SHARMA, Chandigarh

II

The situation in Jammu has assumed alarming proportions over the Amarnath land row. Massive processions and rallies, hostile demonstrations, violent clashes, pitched battles between the police and the protestors, arson, clashes even during the curfew and blockage of road traffic and supply of essential goods have turned Jammu into an inferno.

Sadly, our leaders, who are notorious for playing opportunistic politics and delivering provocative and inflammatory speeches have added fuel to the fire. They have done little to defuse the situation.

The Army has warned that extremists are in a bid to exploit the situation and could trigger bomb blasts among the protestors. Thus our leaders and all others should see reason, shun all their complexes and beliefs, show utmost care and caution and hammer out an accepted solution to the problem.

O. P. COUSHIK, Kurukshetra

III

One should not resort to violence as a means of protest. The whole Muslim world is against India over the Kashmir issue. Either we should vacate or snub the rebellion with an iron hand. There is no other course in between. The problem is that we want to exercise control over Kashmir and simultaneously we want to please Muslims. India has already earned the reputation of being a soft state. Softness here is another name for weakness. We should learn lessons from countries like Israel, China and Japan. How long and how far we shall be able to face this ferocious dragon of terrorism?

BHARAT KUMAR GUPTA, Kandaghat