Echoes in the Valley

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s positive approach, intended to win over the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, is appreciable (PM calls for New Kashmir, November 17). Though the Kashmir Valley has several political parties, each claiming to represent the people, none enjoys mass support.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s positive approach, intended to win over the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, is appreciable (PM calls for New Kashmir, November 17). Though the Kashmir Valley has several political parties, each claiming to represent the people, none enjoys mass support.

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The decision to pull out troops will give a chance for peace to prevail. Focus on long-term economic plans will further the cause.

Manzar Imam, Delhi

II

Manmohan Singh’s offer of ‘peace with honour’ is a big step towards addressing the alienation of the Kashmiris. The ball now lies in the court of the separatists: they should respond positively to this initiative.

Huma Hasan, Aligarh

III

The suicide attack close to the venue of the PM’s rally corroborates the opposition stand that withdrawal of troops from the Valley may be premature. The Hurriyat Conference is yet to abandon its hardline approach. Nor has the terrorist infrastructure been destroyed so far. In fact, organisations banned by Pakistan under US pressure have re-emerged with new names. So the Centre should move with caution.

IV

Syed Ali Geelani was audacious in demanding a public apology from the prime minister for the ‘excesses’ in Kashmir (November 17). On the other hand, Geelani and his ilk must render a public apology for being instrumental in uprooting Kashmiri Pandits from their ancestral homes.

Further, Umar Farooq’s insistence on visiting Pakistan and not being interested in talks with the prime minister is a reflection of his frustration that all Hurriyat factions have lost credence in Kashmir. The prime minister would do well to ignore those who have made a virtue of obstructionism.

Kamal Hak, via e-mail

Kanchi fallout

Why are people raising such a hue and cry over the arrest of the Kanchi Shankaracharya? Soon he will be out on bail and eventually free. It hardly matters if he is actually involved in the murder or not. No person with power — political, religious or financial — can be punished in our country for any crime.

Mani Iyer, via e-mail