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

Security: Where India failed

In his article, “Beyond narrow boundaries” (Perspective, March 28), General V.P. Malik (retd) examined the new security challenges. He has rightly pointed out that “in most conflicts, India has failed to convert hard operational achievements into long-term strategic successes.”

In 1947-48, Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir. When our armed forces were fast advancing, our Prime Minister ordered ceasefire and invited trouble. Why blame Pakistan and the US for the Kashmir problem?

Again in the 1965 war with Pakistan, our forces had captured Sind’s Tharparkar district and reached Lahore airport. Shastriji returned all these areas including those captured in J&K. Why didn’t we free Tharparkar? Why didn’t we settle the Kashmir problem while returning the areas captured in Lahore-Sialkot sector?

The same was repeated in the 1971 Bangladesh war. We captured the entire East Pakistan along with 93,000 Pakistan soldiers. But they haven’t been punished.

ANAND PRAKASH, Panchkula

Witness protection

In his article, “Protecting witnesses” (Sunday Oped, March 7), K. P. Singh has stressed the need for a legislation for witness protection. It is not only the mafia who threaten witnesses but also the police who fabricate false evidence against innocent people.

Besides witnesses, common people also need protection against false implication. The assertion that a witness protection programme should guard against the eventuality of a false witness getting protection for false deposition is just.

SATISH K. KADIAN, Panchkula

Curb black money

Prem Prakash’s article, “Crux of the problem: Check black money to control prices” (Sunday Oped, Feb 28) analyses the causes of price rise of essential commodities. According to the writer, the root cause of inflation is black money, used for hoarding of essential commodities to create artificial shortage in the market. The solution lies in strict action against the hoarders.

Brig W.S. CHOUDARY (retd), Panchkula

II

Hoarders give donations to political parties and, in turn, evade taxes. Globalisation is another factor. For price stability, the government should plug the loopholes and confiscate the property of all those involved in the game.

Capt S.K. DATTA, Abohar

Homage to martyrs: Lip-service won’t do It is heartening to learn that a large number of visitors, especially youngsters, are flocking to Khatkar Kalan, Bhagat Singh’s native village, and that many youth organisations in the region are drawing inspiration from the legendary revolutionary (“Legacy of a legend”, Spectrum, March 21). Bhagat Singh’s views on life and political philosophy can bring back the misguided youth in the region to the national mainstream and transform their life. The government should extend all assistance to youth organisations spreading the message of the great legendary. Bhagat Singh’s reflections on life, social concerns and democracy while awaiting imminent death are testimony of a mind of the highest order. “Universal brotherhood can be achieved only when there is an equality of opportunity — of opportunity in the social, political and individual life.” Unfortunately, the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s promise of a 100-bed hospital when she visited the village to meet the martyr’s mother in 1971 is yet to be fulfilled. Successive governments at the Centre and in the state have failed to keep that promise. Lip-service is not the way to pay homage to great martyrs. We can perpetuate their memory by taking up projects of social relevance. LAJPAT RAI GARG, Panchkula