•Without trivialising the terrorist threat faced by India,I feel that part of Indias reaction,post-Lahore,is regressive. Such panic plays into terrorists hands. We are a big and strong country with entrenched democratic and secular institutions. We should leverage our strengths while improving our security. In the war against terror,we expect a resolute rather than a reactive leadership.
R.R. Palsokar
Baffled
•The editorial Poll time,folks (IE,March 5) was baffling; particularly so against the backdrop of your report Revealed: CECs letter accusing Chawla (IE,March 4). How could such revelations of bias on the part of one constitutional office holder be shoved under the carpet because of the baseless fear that the incumbent CECs recommendation about the removal of CEC-in-waiting,Navin Chawla? Wouldnt the cover-up and quiet acceptance of one members bias compromise the Constitutional body that the Election Commission is,immeasurably weakening it? Are issues of impartiality and objectivity unimportant and irrelevant when general elections are due to begin next month?
M. Ratan
New Delhi
Irreparable damage
•Youve rightly said that differences of opinion are one thing and infighting another (Poll time,folks,IE,March 5). However,it is also noteworthy that this is not a simple case of a difference of opinion or infighting,but one of the credibility of a Constitutional body. Navin Chawla has become a subject of controversy. Now,he is set to take over as CEC. Amid accusations and counter accusations,involving the Congress and the BJP,and N. Gopalaswami and Chawla,the Election Commission has suffered irreparable damage.
M.C. Joshi
Take another look
•With regard to the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore,one feels compelled to ask just what the Pakistan government is up to. Are they and the Pakistan army incapable of curbing terror and militancy? In fact,Sri Lankas crushing of the LTTE should be an example to the Pakistan administration. It is about time the international community took a serious look at Pakistan,its activities and motives.
Krishna Kumar
Dombivli
Sacred and profane
•As an Indian,I am grieved at news of M.K. Gandhis personal items going under the hammer in an open auction in New York (Vijay Mallya procures Gandhi items…,expressindia.com,March 6). Not only is it a matter of national shame but also a challenge to the collective conscience of Indian society. Why does James Otis feel that he has a moral duty to ask the government of India to make concessions in a bid to get the items?
Ashwani Sharma
Ghaziabad
