BJP playing petty politics

I was shocked to read the statements made by some BJP leaders accusing the UPA government of instigating the Ahmedabad explosions.

I was shocked to read the statements made by some BJP leaders accusing the UPA government of instigating the Ahmedabad explosions. The BJP further plans to oppose the government’s reforms programme, in conjunction with the Left, only to resume it once the NDA comes to power. Such talk is strange because the Congress and the BJP are responsible parties. Can any leader play petty politics at the cost of national interest? Why oppose reforms today and propose the same one year later? The BJP should clarify this to remove people’s apprehensions.

HT Image

NIRMALYA GHOSH, Kolkata

Conflicting realities

Harsh Mander in Generation afraid (August 1) has painted a gloomy picture of life in Kashmir, in contrast to the rosy picture of change scripted by Neelesh Misra in his series of articles. A difference in perceptions is evident, and though both reports highlight certain elements of truth, they have missed the ground reality. The situation in Kashmir is neither as claustrophobic as indicated by Mander nor as rosy as Misra would like us to believe.

KAMAL HAK, Noida

II

Harsh Mander’s article brought back memories of my visit to Srinagar four years back, when it was limping back to normalcy and tourism had started again. But the common people, workers and shopkeepers seemed to be echoing a sentiment of fear, uncertainty and lack of faith in the system, though there were voices of hope. We would like to see the Valley become heaven on earth once again, for both visitors and residents.

Welfare down the well

Apropos of KumKum Dasgupta’s article Lives for aluminium anyone? (August 1), there is no logic in destroying an entire ecosystem for a mirage of welfare-oriented education. What’s worse is giving priority to financial profit and loss, without considering ground water contamination, health of the locals and future calamities caused by the disturbed ecosystem. It is important to at least take cognisance of this inconvenient truth.

VAIBHAV GUPTA, Faridabad

Two is better than none

With reference to the editorial Trade winds are not blowing our way (Our Take, August 2), it is unfortunate to find that Indo-Pak tensions are adversely affecting other South-Asian nations. With the collapse of the Doha trade round, and the recent Saarc summit’s failure to reach an agreement on trade, perhaps Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should prioritise bilateral free trade agreements.

ROHAN KAUSHIK, Indore