The Kashmiris have spoken

Barkha Dutt’s message in Seize the moment (Third eye, November 22) is not loud and clear. The massive turnout in the Valley can be attributed to people’s desperate yearning for all-round development.

Barkha Dutt’s message in Seize the moment (Third eye, November 22) is not loud and clear. The massive turnout in the Valley can be attributed to people’s desperate yearning for all-round development. The meaning of azadi as propounded by the separatists has, of late, been bogged down by ambiguity. What has now been found is a realistic connect with issues related to the development of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. But the separatists, oblivious to the gradually emerging social reality, have their own axe to grind. The people of Kashmir are moving ahead and seem to be craving for fraternity in a changed atmosphere.

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A.D. PANDEY, Delhi

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Barkha Dutt’s article brings out the message, though not in clear words, that Kashmiris have come to realise that for their survival and progress, they must voluntarily vote not under duress or at gunpoint. Even with massive financial aid from the Centre and with a standing Army to maintain peace in J&K, people continue to be in misery with even one-time cash-rich industries losing ground. The main reason is militancy from across the border and within, and this can only be controlled by united action under a mature leadership, both at the Centre and at the state level.

C.K. SARDANA, Bhopal

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Barkha Dutt is right in saying that a window of opportunity has opened in a clear-cut indication that people prefer peace over the gun. It seems like terrorism and guns have taken a backseat and peace and progress have emerged as front-runners after the first two phases of the elections. Though separatists who gave the call for the boycott of elections have either been arrested or made to keep quiet, people seem to have paid no heed to their advice and came out to counter a past of hatred and violence.

G.K. ARORA, Delhi

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It is a fact that a didactic will builds a firm path to the achievement of a lingering goal. The Kashmir elections have proved that it’s not always the politicians’ speeches or commentators who judge future happenings and that too in an Assembly election scenario in a state like Kashmir. People have decided to switch their attention from issues like the Amarnath controversy and exercise their mandate. And what we in India can read from this chapter is that an unfettered joint effort can create wonders.

ARSHEEN KAUR, Delhi

Get tough on sponsors of terror

The terrorist attacks in Mumbai since Wednesday night prove what a weak State we are. We have been regularly targeted by terror strikes since 1993 and yet we are unable to contain this. Contrast this with how one major attack in the US united the country to fight the menace irrespective of colour or religion. Our armed forces are the only ones who can handle any crisis, while the police continue to lack the means and politicians the character to respond. If we don’t realise the gravity of the situation, things might become irreversible. Criminals and terrorists need to be told that they will not be spared.

UPMA SHANKER, Oman

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Pakistan’s duplicitous offer to help India to fight terrorism is a farce, while its ISI continues to encourage anti-India terrorism on the other. It is time to confront Pakistan, because terrorism will end only if Pakistan, the global sponsor of terrorism, is rendered incapable of doing so. The government should discontinue the peace process as well as the rail and road links with Pakistan, PoK and Bangla-desh and bring back terror laws. Why is the government sacrificing our brave security forces personnel for anti-national reasons? This is not the way to win an election.

HANSRAJ BHAT, Mumbai