K question

Pumping massive funds into Kashmir without collecting revenue and converting one of the poorest states into the least poor state...

8226; Pumping massive funds into Kashmir without collecting revenue and converting one of the poorest states into the least poor state could not change the craving of its people for seceding from the Indian union. For 60 long years India has let Kashmir have the special status, yet Kashmiris could not assimilate with Indians. They welcome tourists from the mainland and send fruits, shawl-walas and of course terrorists into it.

There may be a silent minority against secession, but they will never prevail. Let Kashmiris decide their fate. Maharaja Hari Singh8217;s accession to India need not be final. If they secede, the drain on our exchequer will go down. Moreover, the army, a substantial part of it deployed in the Valley round the year, will be relieved, and its personnel will no more to be hauled up by human rights groups for doing their duty. Jammu and Laddakh will remain with India if a plebiscite is held. Terrorists do not wait for Kashmir8217;s secession from India to perpetrate their crimes.

8212; N.K. Das Gupta

Kolkata

Writer8217;s hubris

8226; Her fame as a writer seems to have gone to Arundhati Roy8217;s head. She thinks she can have an opinion on any and every subject under the sun. She should thank her stars that she has made the statement on Kashmir in a country where she8217;s guaranteed freedom of speech. Had she shot her mouth like this in Pakistan, she would have seen what an irrational country could do to such citizens who advocate secession for a part of their own country. Fame and fortune should not make people anti-national.

8212; R.J. Khurana

Bhopal

Ends of justice

8226; The Delhi High Court has found two very senior lawyers guilty of 8220;sharp practices8221; leading to undermining administration of justice. What surprises me is the quantum of punishment to the errant lawyers. The court in its wisdom has found that downgrading the lawyers from a senior status and imposing fines of Rs 2000 will meet the ends of justice. To make an example of them, the two senior lawyers should have been stripped of their licence to practise altogether and handed terms of imprisonment as appropriate.

8212; K. Venkataraman

Mumbai

Phoenix dream

8226; While feeling extremely proud and happy about the medals that have come to India and heartily congratulating the winners, I feel very sad to know about the conditions in which they have striven to realise their dream. Your report goes to show why sports in India is at such an abysmal level. It is indeed a wonder that they have risen like the phoenix and soared to Olympic heights.

8212; Jonaki Bhattacharya

Pune

Letter of the Week Award

To encourage quality reader intervention The Indian Express offers the Letter of the Week Award. The letter adjudged the best for the week is published every Saturday. Letters may be e-mailed to editpageexpressindia.com or sent to The Indian Express, 9038;10, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi -110002.

Letter writers should mention their postal address and phone number.

The winner receives books worth Rs 1000.