II

The Taliban are notorious for kidnapping and killing people and the recent episode of beheading Sikhs is just another despicable act. The Quran clearly states, “There is no compulsion in religion”. But when have the Taliban followed the diktats of the Quran or the Prophet of Islam? The ominous shadow of terrorism and extremism descended upon Swat, adjoining areas of the NWFP and large swathes of North-eastern Afghanistan and has plunged them into an era of darkness under the Taliban.

They have destroyed numerous girls’ schools. Music and barber shops have been blown up. All forms of entertainment and cultural activities have been prohibited and they invoke death-sentence against anyone opposing them. So unbearable is the Taliban rule that only terrorism thrives. Young suicide bombers prowl in Pakistan, sowing death and destruction. Bearing in mind the terrible times in which we live, a genuine Islamic order must express compassion and mercy for its subjects as it did during Islam’s greatest days in the past. The Taliban are nothing but a bunch of uncouth youth who truly do not have an iota of knowledge about Islam. On the contrary, they are defaming the name of this great religion.

SAFIYA SAMEENA, Vijayawada

III

The barbaric beheading of two innocent Sikhs by the Taliban who were first kidnapped along with some others to extract ransom, has shocked the civilised society. If the report that the innocent Sikhs were done to death after their refusal to change their religion is true, they only followed the path of the great Sikh Gurus.

The issue of the safety of minorities in Pakistan should not only be taken up during the India-Pakistan talks but also be addressed by the United Nations. It has rightly been pleaded in the editorial “The Sikhs who are still in the Taliban’s custody must not be allowed to meet the fate of their two unfortunate brethren.”

The Taliban are bent upon turning the clock of history to medieval era of darkness. All the right-thinking people of the world should prevail upon the Pakistan government not to shy to fight the menace of Talibanism.

LAJPAT RAI GARG, Panchkula

IV

The editorial has rightly expressed grave concern over the barbaric beheading of two Sikhs. Brutalisation of defenceless people is neither justifiable nor pardonable and has to be condemned by all. Victimisation has become order of the day. Surely minorities are not safe in Pakistan.

As a matter of fact, extremists still control most of the area in Pakistan’s tribal belt bordering Afghanistan in spite of continuing US drone attacks and military action by Pakistan. The Indian government must pressurise Pakistan to ensure the release of abducted Sikhs, stop prosecution of minorities and shun anti-India terrorism emanating from its soil if normalisation of relations is sincerely desired.

Capt SK DATTA, Abohar

Assess teachers

Shelley Walia’s article “Evaluating teachers” (Feb 16) has raised key questions related to evaluation in teaching. Universities must ensure high standards for admission of students and fair selection procedures for faculty in order to create a better learning atmosphere.

It would be unethical of any institution to set “absolute” norms to ensure quality education, especially in universities. For it would stifle the spirit of mental freedom.

PRITIKA, New Delhi