L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Need to tackle Naxalite menace

The gruesome murder of a special branch police inspector in Jharkhand (editorial, “Punish the Maoists”, Oct 8) by the Maoists was a heinous act. Mr P. Chidambaram seems quite serious to tackle the Maoist menace. However, would he be able to garner the requisite support of his colleagues and the local politicians of Maoist-infested states?

It is an illusion that the perpetrators of violence are fighting for the people. Rather they want to serve their own ends through vandalism. Therefore, these offenders should be dealt with sternly.

R.K. MALHOTRA, Chandigarh

II

The Centre’s pro-active, pro-forward policy towards our adversaries is a step in the right direction. Clearly, there is no use of holding talks with the Naxalites unless they give up their arms and stop violence and bloodshed altogether. They want to establish their domain; can we give a portion of our motherland? No. What else do they want?

For the other side of our borders, be it the line of control or the international border, we should be pro-active and match our strength in men, material and weaponry on the ground, air and sea. Our warriors are valiant. As it is, our Sikhs, our Rajputs and Tamilians are three times taller than those across the snowy hills.

MOHINDER BEHL, Gurdaspur

A grave threat

The editorial, “Nobody’s friends” (Oct 13) should make the US understand that Pakistan’s terrorists are a grave threat to both India and Pakistan. Pakistan must imagine the gruesome plight of those held hostage at the Taj hotel in Mumbai including foreign nationals when our NSG commandoes killed them.

The US knows that Pakistan is misusing the weapons against India. Yet, it has tripled aid to Pakistan. This is indeed a paradox!

GURMIT SINGH SAINI, Mohali

No democracy

Strangely, there is no democracy in our universities. There is no provision in any university Act for impeachment or removal of the Vice-Chancellor if he misuses his powers, violates the provisions of the university Act and statutes. Neither the HRD Ministry nor the UGC prevents the VCs from acting like despots.

In the case of a Muslim University when on the basis of a memorandum of eight members of the university, the President, as Visitor, ordered an enquiry, a fact-finding committee has been set up to probe the charges against the VC. The HRD Ministry should direct the VC to proceed on leave till the completion of the enquiry.

Dr M. HASHIM KIDWAI, Ex-MP, Delhi

Magic wand

A look at the rise in the assets of MLAs in the dissolved Haryana Vidhan Sabha makes one wonder what magic wand they posses that they can multiply their wealth in just five years. It is time the government and the media discovered their secret formula so that the same can be used to multiply India’s GDP.

P.N.SHARMA, Chandigarh

Plan shelved?

Faraz Ahmad, in his write-up “Congress out to woo Muslims for support” (Oct 9), has underlined the Congress’ political thinking. Disturbingly, just for the opposition of four Muslim MPs (they are 59 in total), the Congress shelved the madarsa modernisation plan. This underlines the fact the Congress has no courage to rise above petty considerations.

Dr JAI PRAKASH GUPTA, Ambala Cantonment