Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Make India safe

What can civil society do to deal with terror? We can make India safer, if not safe. But it requires pre-emptive action. We do have all instruments in place, but unfortunately we have no political maturity which is required to put these instruments to use. Our Ministers and leaders were working overtime to prove that terrorism was Hindu or Muslim when the terrorists were busy planning their attacks. Unlike our leaders, they succeeded. Wake up India. It needs a concerted effort to stay united against all dividing forces.

Akula Narasimhamurthy,

Visakhapatnam

The gruesome terror attacks have shown how vulnerable we are. Blaming the police for these attacks is not correct. It must be accepted that it is physically impossible for the police to check every vehicle and person across the country. The police did remarkably well by plunging into action and neutralising the terrorists. The nation fervently salutes them. The job of the intelligence agencies, however, leaves much to be desired.

Shadab Husain,

Lucknow

Wednesday’s killing spree in Mumbai was most unfortunate and least surprising. The shameful situation we are in today is the direct result of our misrule, self-before-service attitude, partisan agenda, vote-bank politics, improper planning and wrong priorities.

N.V.S.N. Murthy,

Gandhinagar

Mumbai has become the regular target of terrorist attacks. The terrorists succeeded in crippling life. The stock market closed for a day. I am sure the terror managers are feeling victorious. It is not the first time such devastating acts have been committed in Mumbai.

Venkat Narayanann,

Chennai

The attacks in Mumbai have once again brought to the fore the unprecedented reach of the terrorists and their ability to strike at will. The nation’s collective conscience seems to live in moments. Every time terror strikes, we make the same statements and move on. This is no time to move on. It is the time to confront the issues head-on. Whatever the reason — law and order, socio-economic, religious or political — it demands sustained attention of the nation.

Praveen Ranjan,

New Delhi

Aren’t we cowards, who watch the terror acts and forget them the next morning? We also say Mumbaikars are great, they go about their normal work immediately after the acts of terror. It does not necessarily mean they are not afraid. They cannot afford to sit at home for even one day. I appeal to my fellow citizens not to stay calm when they find something wrong in society. React and make a noise. Be alert, watch your neighbourhood. Let us not depend on the government for our safety and security.

Eranki Raghu Bhushan,

Rajahmundry

If we honestly feel that the unprecedented terror attack in Mumbai is India’s 9/11, let us sincerely follow the U.S. Let our political leaders realise the seriousness of the peril and think of a permanent solution.

B. Radhakrishna Murty,

Hyderabad

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