Opinion Questions remain

Mumbai

Speedy justice

•In rejecting Maya Kodnani’s anticipatory bail,the Gujarat high court has struck a major blow in favour of justice. The fact that a minister in Narendra Modi’s government has been found guilty of complicity during the Gujarat riots might hint at the involvement of others of her ilk. The sooner the big-time,political perpetrators of the Gujarat massacre are brought to justice the better. It’s already been seven years.     

— Shahabuddin Nadeem

Bangalore

Tech tricks

•Hate campaigns are against the fundamental precepts of a democratic society. They are also against the foundations of Indian culture (‘Who’ll silence Varun?’,IE,March 27). Unfortunately,during the campaigning process in India,such allegations and counter-allegations do keep coming up. They do also die down post-poll,especially if they fulfil their objective. The advantage of technology has allowed us to scrutinise Varun Gandhi’s words. If the law finds him guilty,he must be given exemplary punishment.

— Hara Lal Chakraborty

Kolkata

In aid of what?

•Barack Obama’s decision to hand over $1.5 billion per year for five years in aid to Pakistan,with the aim of strengthening its fragile democracy is a curious move (‘War on terror?’,IE,March 30). Had the US president not talked of Pakistan misusing aid previously? Obama has broken with George W. Bush. Unfortunately,it is not a complete break from the past. One remains sceptical about how effective his “specific benchmarks” will be. 

— J.M. Manchanda Delhi

•Has the US administration not learnt anything from its past experiences in dealing with the Pakistani government? It is an open secret that Pakistan serves as a conduit for clandestine passing of American aid to the wrong hands. Despite the US military’s newfound suspicion of and recent allegations against the ISI (as in the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul),the US seems to be doing little to tackle the problem head on.

— Arun Malankar Mumbai

•India can’t be left untouched by turmoil and terror campaigns in Af-Pak. Despite the Obama administration hyphenating Afghanistan and Pakistan,and recognising that they both are safe havens for the militants,it continues to provide Pakistan financial aid. Is this the right approach? Talks of constructive diplomacy will continue to sound hollow in such a context.

— Gehna Vaishnavi

Chandigarh