Vastanvi could have been an asset to Deoband’s seminary

Vastanvi could have been an asset to Deoband’s seminary

As your editorial Political nitpicking (The Pundit, July 26) rightly points out, Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi’s sacking from the post of vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband is unfortunate. His praise for chief minister Narendra Modi was misconstrued, as was his advice to the Muslim community to move past the Gujarat riots. By sacking him, the Majlis-e-Shoora has displayed its disrespect for the individual’s right to freedom of expression. Vastanvi’s professional education and progressive vision might have proved an asset for the institution.

MC Joshi, Lucknow

Held guilty by association The editorial The end of a lost campaign (Our Take, July 22) attempts to undermine the damage caused to India’s position on Kashmir by ISI operatives. Seminar circuits in India and abroad got a sudden boost, concurrently with the anti India-jihad in Kashmir during 1989-90. Journalists, professors and intellectuals from India have been part of these gatherings, which invariably concluded by passing resolutions challenging J&K’s accession.

Lalit Ambardar, Delhi

Let us do the honours

Not many would grudge Sachin Tendulkar the Bharat Ratna award (Another feather in his cap, The Buzz, July 25). However, the eligibility for nominations needs to be redefined. Also, the public should debate whether any other sportsman, present or past, is more deserving than Tendulkar. A mature approach would better serve the country’s highest civilian award.

Ashok Kumar Ghosh, via email