Opinion No messiahs
A significant course correction is overdue in Kashmir,and the current events there necessarily push in that direction.
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A significant course correction is overdue in Kashmir,and the current events there necessarily push in that direction. It is important that a significant beginning be made. The all-party meet was a good start (Reaching out,IE,September 16). Keeping the security umbrella flexible but inviolate is primary. A unified national strategy needs to be formulated to deal with militant groups,with a timeframe attached. This requires statesmanship and political courage of the highest order. For this,one democratically-elected Indian government is as good as another,and hence we need not await a messiah. The right time is today.
R. Narayanan
Ghaziabad
Delhis failure
K. Subrahmanyams Chasing a consensus (IE,September 17) was an insightful read. The present discourse on Kashmir needs to be taken to its logical end dispassionately. In the recent past I have come across a number of assertions,formulas and blueprints either for a final settlement of Kashmir or for creating the conditions for meaningful dialogue within and across all stakeholders. These suggestions emanate either from sheer idealism or from a firm conviction that the structures of power can deliver an appropriate use of force.
New Delhis approach to this vexed problem is a laid-back attitude when it is perceived to be under control and knee-jerk reactions when it is out of control. Thus the track record of the New Delhi political elite shows an inability to capitalise on its own diplomatic or military victories,losing any chance at a lasting solution. While dealing with the people of Jammu and Kashmir (and for that matter the rest of India),New Delhi acts as a patron,or as an arrogant power centre,and thus fails to win their hearts and minds. It is time that New Delhi does a bit of introspection,or even a retrospective of its own past blunders,before it ventures on a new one.
Amit Pradhan
Baroda
Apologise first
This refers to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats statement on the verdict expected on the Babri Masjid title suit. A court settlement might not be ideal; there will always be one party that will be aggrieved. So an amicable out-of-court settlement would be best. But how could that happen?
One way is for the Muslim community to,as a goodwill gesture,donate the land to their Hindu brethren. But for that to happen,the Hindu community should apologise for the demolition of the Babri Masjid. As a Hindu I just cannot digest the fact that fellow-Hindus demolished a mosque,defunct or not. Once we apologise,the Muslim community will come forward and donate the disputed land. Simultaneously there has to be an agreement that no demands will be made in the Kashi and Mathura disputes. Ram was known for his maryada. We cannot build a Ram temple by hurting the sentiments of others.
Saroj Kumar Panigrahi
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