Opinion
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Letters to the Editor
Pull back in time
Sir, - We are alarmed and saddened at the disturbing developments following the deplorable December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament House in Delhi, which has triggered a dangerous round of India-Pakistan hostility. The two Governments have become increasingly belligerent. There is a fearsome military build-up on the border, reportedly including the deployment of nuclear-capable missiles. This bears no logical relationship to the stated objective of countering terrorism, or bringing the culprits of December 13 to book.
It is imperative that the feverish hostility be cooled immediately and the eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation defused. India must reverse the harsh diplomatic measures imposed on Pakistan. Pakistan must reciprocate. Breaking communication links and downgrading diplomatic missions can only impose hardship upon citizens of both countries and vitiate the climate, without encouraging a cooperative response from either government.
Nobody has a greater stake in fighting the scourge of terrorism than the citizens of India and Pakistan. State- sponsored and militant-group terrorism have both taken a huge toll of our life and liberty. But wars, driven by devious or jingoistic agenda, cannot combat terrorism. We appeal to the leaders of Pakistan and India to pull back from the brink of disaster.
V. Mohini Giri,
People for Peace, New Delhi
Sir, - The demonstration of some ``intellectuals'' in Delhi protesting India's moves on Pakistan is rather surprising. If their demonstration has an appeal against war, it could be treated as freedom of expression. But to tell the Government that it should not have withdrawn the rail and bus services between the two countries and recalled the Indian High Commissioner, is going beyond freedom of expression. It is an act of arrogating to themselves more wisdom than that of the Government.
P. S. Chandrasekhar,
Secunderabad
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