M A I L B A G

Start a war on poverty and illiteracy

War clouds are gathering in the Indian sub-continent. The rhetoric on Indo-Pak relations is becoming shriller after the dastardly terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament. Sage counsel must prevail now to avoid at all costs a direct confrontation between the two nuclear-armed nations who have hardly a two or three-minute distance for a missile to traverse across the border.

It is noteworthy that the USA and the erstwhile USSR, the two heavily armed nuclear powers did know when to stand down and avoid a direct confrontation, as the Cuban crisis demonstrated. The two powers are separated by a missile distance of 15 minutes which is not the case with India and Pakistan.

The media (The Tribune is indeed an example) in both India and Pakistan must discharge their responsibility of bringing to fore the views of the intelligentsia and the average man who abhor war and ardently wish for a climate of peace which only can ensure a modicum of well-being for the masses in both the nations.

It is time both the countries started a war on poverty, illiteracy, environmental degradation, decreasing health standards and other ills which are without borders and lines of control.

KANGAYAM R. RANGASWAMY, Durham

Pacifists’ concerns

I would like to address the concerns of the pacifists in this country who, even after the horrendous attack on Parliament, the temple of our democracy and the heart of the nation are against taking military action against Pakistan. There are four main concerns of the pacifists.

One, pressure can be put on Pakistan through diplomatic channels and a way could be found through talks, persuasion and diplomatic pressure. Two, military action against Pakistan may oust Gen Musharraf who is trying to rein in the hardliners and lead to a more hawkish regime in Pakistan. Three, military action against Pakistan may lead to a full-scale war and a nuclear conflict. And four, nothing was gained from previous wars with Pakistan.

India has been trying to persuade and pressurise Pakistan to behave but it has not worked, nor will it work. See what happened after Lahore and Agra and even after Black Tuesday, there is no remorse in Pakistan and no lull in cross-border terrorism. This strategy is severely limited for a country where jehad is a way of life and hatred for India a religion that provides the strongest binding force.

A liberal regime and a modernist one in Pakistan will not change its policy on Kashmir. Irrespective of who is the boss in Pakistan, the policy on Kashmir will not change. The Pakistani army and the ISI will similarly not give up until they are made to pay a heavy price.

Pakistan’s nuclear capability is restricted presently in the sense that it does not have thermonuclear weapons or citybusters and their ability to deliver their nuclear weapons is limited. But it may not be so after a few years. If today they can strike in Delhi, in a few years their missiles may be able to target any place in India. At present the mood in the country is such that people are ready to make any sacrifice to protect our sovereignty. We missed the opportunity during Kargil. We should not miss it now.

It would be wrong to say that India did not gain anything from previous conflicts. Did we not divide Pakistan and establish a more friendly country thus securing our eastern borders from any threat of war? We should not forget that a number of gains made in the wars were squandered by our political leaders. But this mistake should not be repeated. If we fail to act now, we will have to pay a heavy price.

VIKRAM DEV THAKUR, NAVAL NARANG, On e-mail

Million-dollar question

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has reportedly decided to deploy the army at Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, P.M.’s House, North Block and South Block. Each army column will have 70 to 90 troops. This will provide foolproof security to VVIP areas but the million-dollar question is: who will protect the common people?

As Mr Hari Jaisingh has pointed out in his front-page write-up (Dec 14), the common people in our towns and villages seem to be upset over reports of “trading in coffins meant for Kargil martyrs”. But they don’t appreciate those security personnel who resisted the terrorists bravely and laid down their precious lives for upholding the honour of this big country.

R. B. YADAV DEHATI, Rewari

Need of the hour

I am happy that Prime Minister Vajpayee is talking of a proactive stand against terrorism. We need to gather intelligence and take action. The news that the Indian Parliament could be under attack was in the news for sometime. The fact that the attack was still carried out speaks volumes about our preparedness.

The developments in the past few days clearly show that the world shares India’s concern, if not pain. Every country that matters in world politics has condemned the horrendous crime.

Now Pakistan and India have reinforced their troops at the border. We need to restrain this preparation for war. I am in total agreement with you that world opinion is building up in India’s favour. If we attack POK or aggravate the volatile situation, we will be reducing this support we have garnered. India is in the righteous position being the victim. Let us act after careful thought and restraint to tackle this delicate matter. We live in dangerous times, and need to act in a mature way.

Proactivity is fine, but sensible action is the need of the hour. Let’s hope the criminals and their supporters are brought to book.

PRABDEEP BAJWA, Iowa, USA

Menacing threat

The tremors of terrorism have once again hit India. This time the threat has been levied on the temple of democracy. No doubt Indian pacifism had always been felt whenever such emergencies erupted. Mr Vajpayee’s immediate reaction was that this was the last word against the war of terrorism. I beg to differ

May I ask when did we start this war against terrorism? What measures have we taken till date to curb terrorism? Just by supporting the USA have we become an active part of this war? That’s really absurd.

We just can’t follow the wait and watch policy anymore. Today the situation has been controlled but it has again posed a threat to the government’s state of complacency.

EKTA ARORA, Jalandhar