Date:08/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/08/stories/2008120855580801.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Need for restraint

The CPI (M) has done well to caution people against the dangerous proposals for military action and warmongering (Dec. 6). It is true that we feel cornered and humiliated after the November 26 Mumbai attacks. But even one step towards a war with Pakistan will spell victory for terrorists. India may be strong enough to score a military victory but it should think of other consequences too. Diplomacy alone will have a lasting effect. Let us not emotionalise the issue.

S. Veeraraghavan,

Madurai

A conflict with Pakistan at this juncture will only strengthen the terrorist designs. Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism, and its internal politics does not allow the Zardari government to act. India should display political maturity and refrain from overreacting. The need of the hour is diplomatic action.

Shivam Sharma,

Aligarh

Pakistan’s role in the Mumbai attacks has been established beyond doubt. But can an attack of the 26/11 scale be carried out without support from the local elements? Is it not more sensible and easy to eliminate these elements rather than demand action against Pakistan? Any attempt at disturbing the set-up in Pakistan will amount to playing into the militants’ hands as the Zardari government is our best chance. Let us wait for the U.S. and the NATO forces to bring some order in Pakistan while we try to set our own house in order.

Santosh Menon,

Hyderabad

Over the years, Pakistan has developed the knack of projecting itself as the victim after masterminding the most heinous crimes. It uses expressions such as “blame game” and “non-state actors” to distract international opinion from itself. All terror-infested countries should come together and form an international agency to tackle the situation.

V.B.N. Ram,

New Delhi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s affirmation that the terrorists who attacked Mumbai used the territory of a neighbouring country for mounting the attacks (Dec. 6) is undoubtedly based on facts and verifiable evidence. India is justified in serving a strongly-worded demarche to Pakistan. However, the Prime Minister should have made a reference to home-grown terrorism too. We cannot wish away the fact that religious fundamentalism has taken root in India.

Col. C.V. Venugopalan,

Palakkad

Authorities in India have been saying for long that there is enough evidence pointing to the ISI’s involvement in terror attacks. But as Pakistanis have demanded, why don’t the Indian authorities questioning Ajmal Amir Iman release any concrete proof to support their findings? An attack on Pakistan is no solution to the problem. We should explore the possibility of forming an international team that has access to investigations in both India and Pakistan.

Suresh Rohin,

Hyderabad

That the fugitives in the list of India’s most wanted live comfortably in Pakistan and that the ISI plays a key role in training terrorists to strike against India are open secrets. By saying there is no evidence to prove that the terrorists were Pakistanis and refusing to hand over those responsible for the Mumbai attacks to India, Islamabad has acted as it has always done in the past.

Ganesh V. Hegde,

Dharwad