Epic legacy

Sir, - The analysis of the current Sri Lankan situation vis-a-vis India by Dr. Subramanian Swamy (``India's epic legacy'', TheHindu, May 9) and Mr. Prem Shankar Jha (``Dire threat to India'', May 10) is interesting and informative.

Of the three options found by Dr. Swamy, he favours the solution based on a federal Constitution for Sri Lanka; both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE should be convinced of this least painful of the three options.

Both Dr. Swamy and Mr. Jha have mainly based their analysis on the fear of a ``Kashmir type'' situation developing in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Jha has made full use of his imagination skill to paint a very gory picture of what will be in store for India if the LTTE is allowed to have its way of realising its goal of an independent Eelam.

An important co-analysis missed by both is what happened in Bangladesh and our role in freeing it. In the absence of such an analysis, the vulnerable youngsters of today (as defined by Mr. Jha) will not at all be convinced that India has always been on the right path; or one should have the conviction to admit that politically it was a misadventure just as everyone boldly says now about IPKF's involvement in the Eighties.

We are going through crucial times politically and economically. The media and the elite have to rise above politics and instil a healthy trend in thinking and take care to shape up youngsters and deter them from going astray.

With specific reference to Tamil Nadu, the sooner we get rid of the habit of hero-worshiping politicians and film stars the better will it be for the State.

K.S.V. Nambi,

Tirunelveli (TN)

Sir, - The timely and balanced Editorial ``Indian consensus on Sri Lanka'' (May 10) exactly reflected our Government's response to the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis.

It is welcome that the all-party meeting has reached a broad agreement on the four issues of no military intervention, commitment to Sri Lankan unity and integrity, full protection to the island's minorities and need for a peaceful resolution of the conflict within the Sri Lankan Constitutional framework.

India should play a mediator's role only when the two parties to the conflict request for it. It should not let the crisis affect the regional security environment.

Hosur Sharada,

Cuddapah (AP)

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