Date:26/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122655470801.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Two statements

The article “A tale of two statements” (Dec. 25) has exposed the hypocrisy of the BJP and its leader Jaswant Singh. The hardcore terrorists released in return for the passengers aboard IC 814 hijacked to Kandahar in 1999 had been jailed in India in connection with various acts of terror. The BJP-led government did not even try to find a political solution; it just acceded to the hijackers’ demand. It is shameful that Mr. Singh, who escorted the terrorists to safety, has no regrets and has actually justified his government’s decision.

T. Asaf Ali,

Thalasserry

* * *

Mr. Singh’s remark justifying the release of Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh and Ahmed Zargar from Indian jails and his assertion that he would act in a similar manner in a similar situation are more dangerous than Minority Affairs Minister A.R. Antulay’s rhetoric on Hemant Karkare’s killing.

It is unfortunate that the BJP leaders who raised a hue and cry over Mr. Antulay’s demand for an inquiry are silent on Mr. Singh’s dangerous statement.

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman,

Ambur

* * *

The BJP leader’s assertion that he will do the same thing in future if necessary is condemnable. It is unfortunate that it has gone virtually unnoticed. Such a statement will surely give terrorists ideas.

As an experienced leader of a national party, Mr. Singh should have realised the implications of his statement.

B. Thiagarajan,

Coimbatore

* * *

The remarks of both Mr. Antulay and Mr. Singh are disappointing. But while Mr. Antulay’s remarks were irresponsible, Mr. Singh was only justifying the decision he took as External Affairs Minister during the hijack episode.

However, his reiteration that he would do the same thing again if necessary was ill-timed. It exposes India’s weakness at a time when it wants to send a strong signal against terror.

Ripul Kumar,

New Delhi

* * *

I do not think the NDA government was wrong in taking the decision to release the terrorists. There were more than 150 passengers on board the plane. Saving lives is the first and foremost duty of a government.

Vasanth Nandikur,

Mangalore

* * *

Would it have been wise to compromise the lives of the passengers and crew aboard IC-814 to retain the terrorists? The chance of storming the plane was next to impossible. The increase in the number of terror activities cannot be attributed to the release of the terrorists alone. The failure of the law-enforcement agencies and intelligence is also to blame.

V. Chandrashekar,

Chennai

* * *

The author cites the no-negotiation-with-terrorists policy of western countries and the UPA government to argue that Mr. Singh was wrong in saying that he would do the same thing — as releasing the terrorists in 1999 — if a similar situation arose in future. What does she suggest should have been done in Kandahar? The hijackers allowed to blow up the plane, passengers and all? Our technical preparedness for such potential tragedies can be judged from the fact that we allowed the plane to fly out of Amritsar where it landed before going to Lahore. With such competence, it makes no sense to hold forth on a no-negotiations policy. Any seasoned administrator would have done what Mr. Singh did.

N. Khosla,

Panchkula