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Peace talks must be stalled

In his front-page editorial, “Call off the peace dialogue— to begin with” (Dec 23), H K Dua offers a sane advice. It has now been established beyond doubt that all these years we allowed ourselves to be the victim of barbaric terrorist attacks, launched with impunity, from the Pakistani soil and waters. More often than not, these assaults came with the express knowledge of those in power – whether military dictatorship or elected puppet rulers.

The suggestion that we should call off the peace dialogue is apt and timely. It is a complete waste of efforts to offer a hand of friendship to an untrustworthy and a Machiavellian regime that indulges in double-speak and back –stabbing, as and when it suits them.

It is another matter that our leaders and policy makers have taken so long to wake up from their slumber to realise this simple ground reality. It is however, never too late to mend.

We must build a strong world opinion against the uncivilised behaviour of our neighbour which has by now, unequivocally, also been endorsed by many world powers, notably the US, the UK and some other countries.

No wonder, former US Secretary of State Ms Albright Madeleine chose to call Pakistan “an international migraine”. It is in the interest of world peace and stability in the region that Pakistan is forced to behave as a responsible sovereign state.

BRIG GOVIND SINGH KHIMTA (retd), Shimla

II

Indeed, the intentions of Pakistan are malovent, unfriendly and directed at harming India. It is using all its tools, be it the ISI or other state sponsored organisations and is allowing use of its territory to train terrorists. In short, it is involved in subversive activities against India.

Everyone knows this fact, especially the US Administration. Despite all this, if we continue to talk of maintaining peace or indulge in a confidence building exercise, we would be fooling ourselves. We must stop all diplomatic relations till Pakistan hands over all the wanted terrorists and closes down all the terrorist camps.

Pakistan is actually mocking at the repeated warnings of the US and the UK. We have to look at our own options and potential. If we miss now, we shall be paying a heavy price for our inaction. The safety, security, integrity and dignity of our nation are above any relation and diplomacy. It is time to act, now.

CAPT AMAR JEET KUMAR (retd), S.A.S Nagar

III

Certainly, a nation of India’s size is feeling restless due to Pakistan President Asif Zardari’s denial that Kasab is not a Pakistani and jihadis are “non-state actors”. We are of the considered opinion that Pakistan will never hand over Dawood, Azar Mahmood and others. Nor will it ever wind up terror training camps and dismantle financial and communication networks facilitated by the ISI. The onus lies with nations like India and the US who have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists.

Therefore, the only option open with India is to strike at the training camps of the so-called jihadis throughout Pakistan and destroy them even if it leads to a full-fledged war. All peace-loving nations including the US, should support us in our fight against terrorism. The peace talks can begin later.

PREM SINGH SANDHU, DR RK NARAD, Gurdaspur

IV

Mr Dua has articulated on all aspects of the issue impressively with impassioned sensibility, as is needed in times when tempers run high and the mood is revengeful. There is clear and irrefutable evidence regarding the Mumbai carnage. The perpetrators (often very poor like Kasab) are simply pawns in the hands of jihadis— monsters created primarily by the ISI. The terrorists are using Pakistan territory as a training and launching pad, for years now.

B M SINGH, Amritsar

Rejecting Mayawati

Satish Misra’s “Understanding Mayawati” (Dec 19) was interesting. It is usually said that people have a short memory and that they tend to forgive and forget the malevolent politicians in a matter of time. But it is not true in Mayawati’s case.

People have shown great maturity in rejecting the BSP in recent assembly elections in Delhi, Rajasthan, MP and Chhattishgarh. People remember the opportunistic transition of Ms Mayawati. From her bashing of “Manuwadi castes” to the “social engineering” crafted by her upper caste henchmen, she has changed but not for altruism, albeit for personal gains. She has plumbed to the lowest depth in her political career and unabashedly justifies her ill-gotten wealth.

L R SHARMA, Sundernagar

No cricket The fate of India’s cricket tour to Pakistan was inevitable. It had to be cancelled. India has always supported cricket ties with Pakistan but was left with no option this time. It is unfortunate, but extremely difficult to isolate cricket when the relations between the two neighbouring countries are so bitter and inimical. Sure, millions of fans in both countries and those living outside will miss this series, which has attained a status like the Ashes. The future of international cricket in Pakistan looks bleak due to the growing fangs of terrorism in that country. The ICC should look into the matter and try to address the issue, before choosing Pakistan as a host for an international cricket event in the future. SANJIV GUPTA,Perth, Australia