• This refers to your editorial ‘Mark these words’ (March 9). It is not that Pakistan has realised that the Jaish-e-Mohammed is a monster within at long last, as you claim. It is actually that the Pakistani establishment has created this monster that has now turned against the creator. When creating this monster, the intention of successive Pakistani governments was to terrorise Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India. But this monster is now trying to stake its claim to be the legitimate voice of the Pakistani people — and the Pakistani government does not want competition in that field. — Suresh M. Sheth On e-mail Codes of conduct • Election propaganda has begun with a big bang. Indecent comments are made against opponents. The irony of it is that the same persons who are being attacked today and called all kinds of names were until recently heaping the same charges on their current accusers. All those participating in campaigning should follow some etiquette, and thus make the whole election process more meaningful, and even enjoyable. No election meetings should be conducted after 8 p.m. Speakers should not indulge in character assassination. Audiences should not create a rumpus. If they do not agree with the views of the speaker, they can politely walk out. The speakers should keep the speeches short. Brevity is the soul of wit. Nothing should be said to provoke quarrels between different groups. The candidates should not indulge in expensive and wasteful extravaganza. Utopian promises should be avoided. The speakers should have some knowledge of the subject that they are talking about. Walls of buildings should not be defaced for propaganda. — V.S. Venkatavaradan Salem Just Sonia? • It is not Sonia Gandhi who is to be blamed for the slide in the Congress’s fortunes after the death of Indira Gandhi (‘I fear for the Congress’, IE, March 10). It is the cringing sycophants who masquerade as netas in the Congress who have caused the rot. Not one has dared to stand up and declare that the dynasty must end. A shameful vacuum in leadership made Sonia the leader by default. — C.A. Rajen On e-mail • Tarun Vijay need not fear for the Congress. He should spare these thoughts and sentiments for his organisation, the BJP. What is going to happen to the BJP after Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishan Advani retreat from active politics? Will the Mahajans and Venkaiahs be able to match them? — Virendra Sharma On e-mail Gender bender • The entire controversy over the Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill passed by the Jammu and Kashmir assembly is a political stunt (‘J-K Bill becomes political landmine’, IE, March 9). The state government must be asked why such conditions apply only to women, and not to men. — Sagar On e-mail Good show • The purpose for which IRMA was set up has clearly been achieved (‘Feel good, genuine: IRMA’s toppers decide to work with poor’, IE, March 10). — Arun Tiwari On e-mail
