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WikiLeaks has exposed politicians

WikiLeaks revelations are proving to be a white-knuckle ride for our political class. Today one party gloats over the indiscretion of leaders of the rival party, the next day the same party has to squirm over gaffes of their own leaders. What goes around is coming around with a lightning speed.

Leaders of the main political parties, the Congress and the BJP, are found to have disclosed their strategies and plans to foreign diplomats. One does not understand why our leaders are so friendly and accessible to them. These very big mouths have no time to listen to the problems of the people and articulate the same in Parliament.

By blabbering to diplomats, their party’s position or stand on various national and regional issues, political leaders and their lackeys perhaps try to show their pre-eminence and being close confidants of those who matter in the party.

If they have really any worthwhile or important information to share with, why can’t they discuss or disclose it in the party’s fora or Parliament?

Our windbags must stop speaking out of turn. Otherwise their credibility, or what is left of it, will be further undermined.

HEMA, Langeri, Hoshiarpur

Positive move

The editorial, “Batting for peace”, (Mar 28), rightly stated that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh deserves appreciation for his brilliant initiative of inviting the Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for the World Cup cricket semi finals between India and Pakistan at Mohali. If we can recall, even the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also left no stone unturned in taking such initiatives by inviting Pakistan's then President General Pervez Musharraf for the famous Agra summit.

Indians can now claim that our approach in strengthening bilateral relations between these two nations has thus been the most consistent since 2000. Both Dr Singh and Mr Vajpayee have exhibited qualities of true statesmen.

Cricket, music and Bollywood have been binding our two nations. The common man on both the sides has always aspired for a closer relationship and it is only the political leadership that has to actually ensure better ties between the two neighbouring nations. 

TEJINDER SINGH BEDI, Faridabad

II

The editorial rightly mentions the fact that our Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, deserves praise for initiating a bold step. This can provide an opportunity for the two Prime Ministers to work on their relationship towards the betterment of India-Pakistan. Earlier also our Prime Minister had suggested that “Pakistan needs to dismantle the terror machine” which will be beneficial to both countries. This time our PM’s move can be a sixer for peace and harmony.

In 2005 too, former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had come down to Delhi to watch a match. The people of our country should feel proud to have a person as able and intelligent as Dr Singh as our Prime Minister, who apart from being a visionary and an able economist has once again made a positive move in the interest of improving relations between the two neighbours.

HARPREET SANDHU, Ludhiana

Crimes against Sikhs

To the editorial “Hateful crimes: Provide security to Sikhs in US” (Mar 10) I would like to add that most of these incidents of hate crimes are occurring because the people of the US, particularly the unemployed youth think that Punjabis are stealing jobs from them. To reduce such incidents, the US authorities must clear this misconception from the mind of the US youth. Sikhs occupy top positions even in foreign countries because of their hard work and dedication.

The editorial has rightly concluded: “The US authorities must make efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of crime against Surinder Singh, who lost his life and Gurmej Singh Atwal, who was critically injured and take measures to assure the Sikh community of its safety.” Swift and strict action against the culprits will act as a deterrent.

MANDEEP KUMAR SINGH, Jalandhar

Khalsa heritage The idea of converting Khalsa College, Amritsar, into Khalsa University may not be misconceived but certainly is misplaced. The college ought to be preserved as a precious vestige of the Khalsa Heritage. This premier Sikh institution has been the alma mater of a large number of top brass army and police officers, bureaucrats, artists, sportsmen, scholars, litterateurs, diplomats and religious leaders. The institution reminds us of the pristine Sikh glory. It must be preserved in the original form like a monument. The move to convert it into Khalsa University when another university — Guru Nanak Dev University — is functioning successfully in close proximity has raised many doubts. To have two universities so close to each other with same disciplines can lead to many unforeseen problems. Definitely a university in the name of the Khalsa, if founded near Anandpur Sahib, would seem more logical. Prof KBS SODHI, via email