The murder of S.B. Sodhi, an officer of the UP government who was carrying top secret files relating to the Liberhans commission, is shocking (Death on the Kashi Express, July 17). Even more shameful is that an incident of this kind should happen when we're observing the 25th anniversary of the Emergency.
S.M. Mehta, Chandigarh
National security is a much bigger issue than the hackneyed matters which seem to form the recommendations of the nsab (A Sandcastle Blueprint, July 17). One such old horse being flogged is the desperation of the Defence Services HQs to get more powers (especially financial) from the defence ministry, as if by doing so the security environment of the country will improve.
K.S. Chhokar, Delhi
As a member of the urban middle-class for which you seem to hold so much contempt (Under the Blue Ceiling, July 17), I share a sense of outrage with many that we have no rights in a city like Bombay to expect clean and walkable pavements, roads cleared of hawkers and no beggars at signals. While I feel sorry for so many of the poor and homeless children I see on Bombay's roads, I'm upset that whenever as a tax-paying member, I expect a cleaner city, I am immediately labeled as poor-unfriendly. I'm sure I am just voicing what others are scared to say in these politically correct times.
Vikram Joshi, Mumbai
Jagmohan's statement that "migrants are like plague" is indeed unfortunate. Politicians and bureaucrats who are supposed to serve people live in palatial houses where even their pets have separate living spaces. Are people living in slums worse than animals?
T. Krishnadas Rai, Bangalore
I read your story on Kaun Banega Crorepati (The Great Gambler, July 17). I am in the US and enjoy watching the original American version, Who Wants to be a Millionaire. This show's all about making money. For the producers, the contestants. And it finds a chord with the audience in that it wants the contestant to win, to make some money. What's wrong with that?
Lakshmi Narasimhan, Fort Collins, US
Your cover story Reading the Book of Life (July 10) was simplified enough even for a layman to understand the implications of the great scientific discovery. But knowledge being a double-edged sword, one can only wish it's put to use wisely, humanely and equitably.
Anil Kr Pandit, Lucknow
Payal Kapadia responds: Dr Sumeet Gujral's tirade (Letters, July 17) against my story, Dusk Falls at Dawn, is not based on facts. The word 'terminal' was used only once, to say that cancer is not synonymous with terminal. Any mention of Navneeta's illness was based on direct quotes from her parents.
Anita Pratap's Truths of a Midnight (July 17) was wonderful. Her style of narration made her Truth that much sweeter.
Shanks Mampully, on e-mail
Bangalore's regained its mite as a destination for investment courtesy S.M. Krishna (Velvet Czar to the Fore, June 26). His feted Andhra counterpart could wow Clinton, but not investors.
Bala Ashok, Tirupati
I agree with Arun Jaitley (Nazi Priestess, July 3). Had Nehru known his daughter would curb the freedom he and his father fought for, he would have settled for abortion.
Nehal Arshad, Kanpur
Was the July 24 issue dedicated to Pakistan? Be it art, opinion or Kulsoom Nawaz, it was Pakistan all the way. Was it genuine affection or a move to deflect interest from Kashmir?
L. Sundarrajan, on e-mail
Instead of supporting the government on its strong stand taken against autonomy, I'm deeply disappointed that you should criticise it (Another Full Stop, Another Coma, July 17).
I believe that no one state should enjoy greater privileges over others. It was indeed a mistake when our leaders of yore bestowed special status on Kashmir. Farooq's autonomy resolution will only turn the clock back.
Suraj S., on e-mail
The BJP-led government, with its regional partners, has failed to realise that India cannot be ruled by fundamentalists. How can an orthodox Hindu party hope to retain Kashmir with their avowed hatred towards Muslims?
V. Roy, Calcutta
Farooq's autonomy demand has opened a Pandora's box. For instance, sooner or later, it will also bring up the question of restoring statehood to Kodagu or Coorg. For the past nine and a half years, concerned organisations have been relentlessly seeking a restoration of the "pre-1956" status. The erstwhile Coorg state, after its merger with Karnataka state, has been gradually losing its unique identity. The Coorg (Kodava) people is also demanding an "ethnic minority status" along with the demand for autonomy.
C. Spen Chengappa, Gonikoppal, Kodagu
If only the Indian and Pakistani governments mutually agree on the formation of a neutral, independent Kashmir (Kashmir, Jammu, Leh) like neutral Switzerland, the problem could be solved for all times to come.
C.A. Reddi, Chennai
Fancy ideas like state autonomy and devolution are viable only if we have responsible politicians and a mature political culture. Those of us from the army who've interacted with the people of J&K know that half the reason for the present state of affairs in the Valley is the rapacious corruption and indifference of the very politicians who're demanding autonomy for it.
Lt Col (rtd) G.S. Jolly, on e-mail
The term 'autonomy' in the Kashmir context is being seen as a synonym for 'secession'. The accession of Kashmir to the Indian union was in effect contingent upon it being given a greater measure of autonomy. This is a historical fact.
The Vajpayee regime will need to come out categorically in honouring this national commitment. There's much that can be offered to J&K without going beyond desirable devolution.
Tony Chittilapilly, Thrissur
It is a hard fact that the per capita Central assistance to Kashmir is much higher than to any other state. Even so Abdullah continues to cry foul over New Delhi giving Kashmir a stepmotherly treatment. Where does the money go? Obviously nowhere but in the pockets of these so-called representatives of the people.
Ashfaq Ahmad Mir, Anantnag
Following the autonomy resolution, there have been numerous protests all over the country. The Hindus and Buddhists of J&K obviously feel threatened. But such a resolution may set a precedent which could turn out bad for Indian Muslims. Imagine an autonomous province ruled by say the BJP or the Sena, where only defence, external affairs, currency and communication were with the Centre?
Mahikxit Desai, on e-mail
The outright rejection of Farooq's autonomy is probably a full stop, but for vested interests it is only a comma - to confront the nda alliance and exploit the coalition and stability of the government.
U.S. Iyer, Bangalore
George Fernandes' reiterating of his age-old socialistic convictions in the presence of an rss ideologue is indeed praiseworthy ("You can't make money and chant Vande Mataram", July 17). Many who know George personally have been rather uneasy at his ominous silence all these years. And now that he has raised these issues, the prime minister should give him an ear.
Narayana Achari, on e-mail
Your headline is extremely misleading. What George Fernandes says in his interview is "You can't shout slogans of Bharatmata ki jai and be corrupt at the same time". But you make being corrupt equivalent to making money. Do you really think the only way to make money is by being corrupt?
Chitta Baral, on e-mail
Kamala Suraiya's attempt to justify anti-abortionism is stupid (Pulpit, July 17). Does she see herself as the good Dr Freud reborn? "Women who didn't succeed in loving their husbands willingly opted to destroy...the embroys within them," she writes. Ha! ha! ha!
Bhaskar Hazarika, on e-mail
Instead of passing judgement, Prem Shankar Jha (The Bayonet Runs Amok, June 26) should don the securitymen's uniform and go to Kashmir. Having a uselessly idealistic government on one side, a hostile local population on another, a motivated jehadi on the third side and the human rights commission lecturing on the fourth, it's an unenviable position to be in.
Ananth, New Delhi
I would have found Kamala Das nee Suraiya's piece offensive (Pulpit, July 17), if pity and anguish had not overtaken it. She does a disservice to both religions, her previous one, and the one she embraced recently, when she says how starved she was for affection earlier and how she has been receiving hugs and blessings galore (besides the banana chips, dates, silk scarves and attar) since she converted. Is that what conversion boils down to? And if she is so averse to people questioning her motives, why does she have to publicise all these personal emotions and needs? There are people in this world who may not be the least bit interested in her personal beliefs and life.
At the same time, I can't help but feel pity for a person who has to reach out to complete strangers to feel accepted. If anything, she makes out a strong and urgent case for tackling problems of senior citizens in the country. And I feel anguish to see what people like her succeed in doing - they bring out religion from personal spaces and trivialise it in this manner. Rather than blame all and sundry for her problems, she should perhaps take a good, hard look at her own life to see what went wrong.
Namitha Dipak, Delhi
