Wrong argument

• One wished that a paper like the Indian Express, noted for its liberal and balanced outloo...

• One wished that a paper like the Indian Express, noted for its liberal and balanced outlook, had not come out with the editorial entitled ‘Destroying AMU’ (IE, May 21). This contention of yours that 50 per cent reservation of seats in different courses in a Muslim university for Muslims is educationally retrograde and will accelerate the decay of this great institution is not correct. Muslims are the largest minority in India and under a democratic secular Constitution, they enjoy the fundamental right to establish and administer their educational institutions. The Muslim university Amendment Act of 1981 passed by Parliament fully guarantees this. So this reservation is quite in consonance with its minority status. The basic aim of a Muslim university is to promote the educational and cultural advancement of Muslims. This is possible only when the majority of its students happen to be Muslims. It is therefore completely illogical to conclude that this is a retrogressive step or that it is communal.

— M. Hashim Kidwai New Delhi

Wanted: DM

• Everything appears to be wrong (‘Ex-DM hiding for he wants bail: lawyer’, IE, May 31). First, the chief of Sahara seems to have offered a good job to Gautam Goswami, a former DM of Patna. Now it is understood that the Sahara chief himself is sick and not visible to the outside world, while Goswami has gone missing. Is there some connection here that needs to be explored?

— T.K.P. Karan Baroda

• I have witnessed the positive contribution made by a free press in the US and am very thrilled that your newspaper is also doing the same. Who would have doubted the dirty designs and dishonest intentions of a “topper” like Goswami? Surely toppers should show more integrity than others? India is going through an avalanche of corruption and many politicians, judges, administrators, and others are getting swept into it. They think they will emerge as winners. But they should, instead, listen to President Kalam’s call and set an example of upright behaviour to others.

— Arun Karna On e-mail

O Iceland!

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• According to your article, ‘No place like this on earth’ (IE, June 31), the beauty of Iceland lies in its natural attributes. Since Iceland has geysers, and plenty of clean ice/snow/water, it would be an ideal investment destination for Indians. They could invest in setting up natural spas and bottled water enterprises and export their products to India and the world. The possibilities are really quite endless.

— Chrysantha Wijeyasingha New Orleans

Inept army?

• According to Gohar Ayub Khan, the Pakistani army had superior arms, courtesy the USA, and also had detailed knowledge of Indian plans (‘Pak bombshell: Indian brigadier sold us 1965 war plan for Rs 20,000’, IE, May 31). In spite of all this, Pakistan could not win. This only proves what an inept army it has.

— Arul Bhaskar New York

Error

• Apropos of the editorial, ‘Oui to the Non’ (IE, May 31), the country that is to vote on the EU constitution today is the Netherlands, and not Denmark. The error is regretted.

— Editor

The stolen collection, valued at roughly €88 million ($102 million), included two crowns, two brooches, two necklaces (one of emeralds and one of sapphires), a pair of earrings, and a single earring (AP Photo)

2 suspects in Louvre heist case arrested by French police: report

World13 min ago

French police have arrested two suspects in the Louvre jewel heist, one at the airport and the other in a Paris suburb. They are currently being questioned by authorities. Paris police have not yet commented on the situation.

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