Date:25/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/25/stories/2008122555120802.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

The Antulay affair

With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declaring that to err is human and appealing to journalists to allow the controversy arising out of Union Minority Affairs Minister A.R. Antulay’s remark — that the government should order a probe into the death of former ATS chief Hemant Karkare and his colleagues during the Mumbai attacks — to rest, the Minister has managed to keep his job. But in the process, the Congress and its leaders have lost their credibility. By graciously saying “to err is human” Dr. Singh has implied that all will be forgotten.

K. Venkataraman,

Mumbai

* * *

The positive side of the Mumbai terror attack was that it brought people together. Mr. Antulay’s open expression of doubt over the circumstances that led to Karkare’s killing was certainly not a sudden emotional outburst. It was planned. He was not willing to take his comments back even when it was pointed out to him that Pakistan could take advantage of them. At the end of the day, he succeeded in generating a controversy and dividing the people.

P.K. Misra,

Mysore

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The politicisation of the killing of Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar has added insult to injury. Karkare was gunned down in the Cama hospital, not in his home. A predatory Hindu militant could not have possibly known exactly when the terrorists would strike. The manner in which Mr. Antulay gave expression to his investigative instinct was not becoming of a Union Minister. Unfortunately, he has been hailed by a section as one who had the courage to speak the unspeakable.

Raghu Seshadri,

Chennai

* * *

What Mr. Antulay said was no doubt disturbing. But the disruption of parliamentary proceedings to protest against his remarks cannot be justified. Instead of indulging in political bickering, politicians should work to devise effective ways to tackle terrorism.

Gargee S. Boruah,

Guwahati

* * *

Mr Antulay had the courage to express his views, shared by many in this country. One may differ with his views but we cannot stop him from expressing his opinion. Ours is a democratic country. After Mr. Antulay was criticised for expressing his view on the killing of Karkare, he tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister. He cannot be held responsible for his party’s dilly-dallying tactics. Mr. Antulay’s views may be misplaced. But to brand his views as “treason” is indeed unfortunate.

K.N. Rajan,

New Delhi