Vox pop

The Maoist demand for calling off anti-Maoist operations and releasing jailed Maoist leaders is unwarranted. However, any operation against Maoists may result in the further killing of innocent people.

Maoist demands are extreme, but society must also better its supply

The report Maoists say Bastar attack was to punish Congress leaders (May 29) helps establish that the carnage in Bastar was a result of the keen hatred that some citizens now feel against their political leaders.

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The Maoist demand for calling off anti-Maoist operations and releasing jailed Maoist leaders is unwarranted. However, any operation against Maoists may result in the further killing of innocent people. Since it has now spread to several parts of the country, completely wiping off this menace will be an uphill task. Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh is right in stating that we must intensify development activity in Naxal-infested areas in order to bring the disenfranchised into the mainstream.

Gagandeep, via email

Breaking the cycle of violence

With reference to Harsh Mander’s article Not biting the bullet (Democracy Wall, May 29), it is true that justice seldom reaches the real victims of riots. Sadly, however, it is only in the case of the Gujarat riots that perpetrators have been convicted within a decade of them having committed the crimes. Violence, it must be remembered, is cyclical and a more holistic roundup of testimonies will help prove that.

Neeta S, Delhi

Keep the doors of culture shut

I do not agree with Omair Ahmad’s views in It’s time to break the ice (May 27) on the free mingling of sexes. Just because the West has done away with morality, it does not mean that we ape them and spoil our culture of gender segregation. It is imperative we do not mix up aspects of being modern with those that are immoral. It is naïve to say that the intermingling of sexes should be encouraged. This will only increase crimes against women.

Parvez Mandviwala, Delhi

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