Colour trial
I find it odd that your editorial should strike a conciliatory tone with the secessionists (Tone it down, IE,January 25). This is the first step towards attempting to put pan-nationalism into focus in recent times and the BJP ought to be congratulated for its bold attempt to send out a strong signal to other nations with their nefarious designs. For all we know,today,there is an opposition to unfurling our national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. Would you still advocate restraint tomorrow when it does not suit certain sections of society to unfurl it at the Red Fort?
Abhishek Puri
Patiala
Hoisting the Indian flag on Indian soil is a sacred constitutional right. It is a proud moment for people to lift their heads and see their flag fluttering,a supreme symbol of national identity. Therefore,the chief minister of J&K is personally culpable for committing a grave act of disrespect. Preventing the national flag from being hoisted on Indian territory is sacrilege. Whatever may be the provocation,it does not justify such action. Both the Centre and the state have to pay a heavy price.
H.R. B. Satyanarayana
Mysore
Priorities
The editorial Tone it down (IE,January 25) contains pragmatic advice to the BJP to check its self-serving high pitch on hoisting the national flag at Srinagars Lal Chowk on Republic Day. This is necessary to give peace a full chance in J&K. But the BJP seems to be tone-deaf to the voice of sanity and restraint. The need of the time is to tackle the problems of the people,not to test their fealty. Above all,the fragile peace in the state must be consolidated. Later,we all can wave the Tricolour in the state.
Tarsem Singh
New Delhi
Music period
This refers to the editorial End of an Era (IE,January 25). The voice which enthralled millions has fallen silent. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi brought back Indian classical music to our drawing rooms. Twenty seven years ago in Pune,when I attended Joshis concert,I was amazed to see people begging for extra tickets as the hall was full.
Ashok Goswami
Moving on
When the newly appointed head of Darul Uloom Deoband,Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi recently advised his co-religionists in Gujarat to move on and be part of the developmental agenda of Chief Minister Narendra Modi,rising above the dreadful memories of the 2002 riots,one had a sense of relief. It proved to be too
short-lived as was clear from the latest report: Under
attack,Deoband head says Allah wont forgive Modi
(IE,January 23). Vastanvi issued a public apology,even going to the extent of saying: We will take revenge on Modi. How long do community leaders want the victims to remain mired in the 2002 carnage?
M. Ratan
New Delhi
