State of affairs

Political doublespeak may come naturally to the political class and may also help them capture certain vote-banks; but when they forget the issues or the context, it could have dangerous consequences for the institutions of the state.

This refers to Pratap Bhanu Mehta8217;s 8216;The Malegaon precipice8217;. Political doublespeak may come naturally to the political class and may also help them capture certain vote-banks; but when they forget the issues or the context, it could have dangerous consequences for the institutions of the state. The BJP8217;s pre-committed position on the Malegaon blasts case, vis-agrave;-vis Pragya Thakur and Lt Col Purohit, is not just unfortunate as it questions the methods, techniques and objectives of the state but it also shows a profound disrespect for our investigative agencies. If a national political party mobilises religious groups against the functioning of the state on a very vital issue like terrorism, even before the investigative agencies have done their job, we might be sowing the seeds of further resentment, discontent and rebellion. Rajnath Singh and the BJP must understand that India is a secular state and that to confront the serious problem of terrorism we must align with reality and not with any religion or community.

8212;Ved Guliani, Hisar

Double vision

This refers to the editorial 8216;The offence of defence8217;. BJP leaders are blatantly speaking in favour of the Malegaon blasts accused. Now take the case of the Jamia VC8217;s proclamation that the university would provide legal aid to the students accused of terrorism. That declaration was lambasted by the very saffronites who are now defending Pragya Singh and Lt Col Purohit even more loudly.

8212;Sabir Ali Chauhan, Aligarh

Dis-alignment

Against the background of the investigations going on regarding Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Purohit, who are alleged to have been involved in the Malegaon blasts, you have rightly commented in your editorial 8216;The offence of defence8217; that the BJP is an adept code-switcher, shifting between the soft touch and Hindu hardsell depending on context and convenience.

Terrorism is the most serious threat being faced for the past two decades by the Indian state and its citizens. Many innocent people have been slaughtered by terrorists. Those involved in terror do not serve the religion, whatever it may be, to which they claim to adhere They are, rather, the enemies of humanity and of their own country, and are sowing the seeds of hatred that will destroy the nation8217;s unity and the daily security of its inhabitants. An organisation that aligns itself with terrorists maligns itself and cannot be defended.

8212;Dilbag Rai, Chandigarh

Vote8217;s in

Contradicting the gloom and doom that was widespread, the very large turnout in the Kashmir Valley is a bright beam of sunshine, dispersing the clouds of doubt. The people of Kashmir should be warmly and sincerely congratulated for putting faith back in the democratic process.

8212;P.Y. Mehta, Mumbai