Tackle terrorist camps with firm hand

  THE best news we have heard for a long time is Mr L.K. Advani’s view that terrorist camps in PoK or Pakistan against India should be dealt with in the same manner as, presumably, the self-styled moralists in the West do. We have been preaching this for 10 years and we are honoured to have so eminent a person as Mr Advani sharing the same view. Let’s not take counsel of the faint-hearted — if it means war, so be it. We cannot keep on sacrificing our soldiers and policemen — and innocent civilians — without seeking a solution of some kind.

Our concept of nationalism is that we must have our own indigenous heroes, culture, traditions and rituals. We are not aware of any nation on earth which has attained any kind of prominence and unity on borrowed heroes or legends. Also, taking into account the racial, religious and technological prejudices that exist today, the concept (largely propaganda) that the world is a village is outrageous.

Notwithstanding the economists, who fail to impress world-wide, we have our own assessment of people and countries. The Japanese are brave but rigid and ruthless in battle; their plans lack flexibility. Once they start losing or defeat is in sight, the leadership prefer hara-kiri to ignominy; but if the leadership cannot set an example, the rest collapse like a house of cards and become subservient. Unless there is a dramatic change in leadership, the Japanese economy is unlikely to recover in a decade. By then India or China will replace Japan — and, with a bit of luck, perhaps even America.

We have been demanding for the last 15 years that the Ministry of Defence and the Service HQs should be integrated. It is indeed very satisfying that the present government is also thinking on the same lines. After the integration the organisation of a Chief of Defence Staff, or a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is inevitable. With India’s nuclear capability and an integrated defence setup, we should be able to defend ourselves against any adversary and not only China or Pakistan.

As Russian and Indian threat perceptions have many common factors, we should work for a more active and positive mutual defence treaty with Russia to ensure world peace and prosperity. In case of sanctions against one country, both Russia and India should jointly retaliate against the offending country. We should also seek a greater share (and help) in Russia’s space programmes.

We thank the government for the expeditious orders pertaining to our pensions. What still needs Government’s consideration is: a. Better educational facilities for our children. b. Immediate improvement in medicare which is at an all-time low. c. Free travel facilities for two to holy places every second year. d. Status as on August 14, 1947.

Brig H.S. YADAV
Chairman
All-India Ex-Servicemen Action Committee
Mussoorie

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Political landmine

In his article “Rushdie’s return will be best for India” (November 18), Dr Shelley Walia has approvingly mentioned “that L.K. Advani has cleared the hurdles for the return of Rushdie to the land of his inspiration...India”.

Assuming the report to be correct, one wonders whether this is being done to boost the secular image of his government as also that of the BJP or to be in harmony “with historical events and conceptual problems related to the diaspora, to art and to technology”. Whatever BJP’s predilections might have been as to the structure of Babri Masjid at Ayodhya or the stance of Mr Advani’s followers and admirers with regard to M.F. Hussain’s paintings showing Sita and other Hindu goddesses in certain “artistic” postures, it is neither easy nor necessary to stress the “insecurity of religious and political structures that unequivocally take a stand against the freedom of expression as well as refuse to see the function of art in upholding civilisation” so vehemently advocated by Rushdie.

I am writing this not to endorse BJP’s extreme actions in regard to the Masjid or Hussain’s art forms. But if flexibility and fairness are to be the hallmark of India’s foreign policy and synthesis the essence of our pluralistic society, will it be advisable to offend the declared sensitivities of friendly nations like Iran and Arab countries, not to speak of sections of India’s own minorities?

That it might give a handle to those who are always keen to raise a cry of jehad and work up a hysteria of hate against India in neighbouring Pakistan or even Bangladesh cannot be overlooked. It is to be hoped that Mr Advani and other BJP leaders will steer clear of the political landmines inherent in the pursuit “to participate in radical and critical practices” that would indeed result in political backlash not just for them but for the country as a whole, especially when we are already hard put to undo certain effects of Pokhran-II.

J.N. NARANG
Chandigarh

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Controversial transfer

The write-up, “Transfer rakes up controversy,” (Nov 21) deserves consideration to meet the ends of justice and fair play. Financial picture of Haryana during 1997-98, indicates that the state is only hair’s breadth away from financial collapse. It can be averted by taking recourse to extraordinary measures. To tide over the financial constraints, leaving aside any criticism for and against prohibition, lifting of prohibition was a step in the right direction. During the current Financial year various legislative administrative measures to rationalise tax structure have yielded fruitful results in revenue generation. These measures aim at tiding over the financial crunch in the state. The Excise and Taxation Department, being a major source of revenue to the state exchequer plays a vital role in shaping a state’s economy.

Mr R.N. Prashar, known for his judicious and pragmatic approach in revenue matters, was leading the department towards greater heights. The department is to take up immediately an exercise in formulating the excise policy for 1999-2000. A sudden change of the head of the department without any ground at a time when improved revenue receipts are having a smooth sailing is against public interest. Haryana is passing through a highly abnormal and critical phase. The excise and taxation department’s role in the absence of a leader at this juncture gets a jolt. The unconventional but legitimate bold steps taken by the department under the dynamic leadership of Mr Prashar in apprehending unscrupulous elements are in public interest. It is high time Mr Bansi Lal reviewed the controversial transfer.

AJIT SINGH
Chandigarh

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Tailpiece

One invitee to another at the release ceremony of Kiran Bedi’s book, “It’s Always Possible” at Amritsar: “Will there be tea after the function?”

“It’s always possible,” said the other.

K.J.S. AHLUWALIA
Amritsar