Date:20/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/20/stories/2004012001661000.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

The `jehad' call

Sir, — I refer to the report "Musharraf calls for jehad against extremism" (Jan. 18). A strong resolution against terrorism at the recent SAARC summit, and now the call for `jehad' against terror by Pakistan, augurs well for South Asia. The futility of the policy of terrorism in Kashmir, a shattered economy and the two attempts on Pervez Musharraf's life have, perhaps, made the country introspect.

Himanshu Kumar Singh,

New Delhi

* * *

Sir, — Coming after the January 6 India-Pakistan joint statement, Gen. Musharraf's call for a complete disengagement of the state from `jehad' and `jehadi' outfits is indeed welcome. It will go a long way in quickening the pace of the peace initiatives both sides have taken. If the existing trend of confidence-building measures continues, nothing will be insurmountable for both countries.

E. Sivasankaran,

Coimbatore