Whatever it takes, we cannot let go of Kashmir

With reference to Vir Sanghvi's article Think the Unthinkable (Counterpoint, August 17), it is not a test of democracy to let a region secede the moment the majority of its inhabitants decide to do so.

With reference to Vir Sanghvi's article Think the Unthinkable (Counterpoint, August 17), it is not a test of democracy to let a region secede the moment the majority of its inhabitants decide to do so. In Jammu and Kashmir, self-determination is all the more difficult with part of its territory under Pakistan’s occupation and the Hindu minority driven out of the Valley. If those shouting pro-Pakistan slogans and carrying Jinnah’s portrait wanted to move to Pakistan for good, they should have been allowed to do so at the time of Partition.

JM Manchanda, via email

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Vir Sanghvi advocates a purist approach on Kashmir. All the special considerations for Kashmiris in Article 370 provided by the successive governments at the Centre have lead them to be distant from the mainstream. The more the politicians bowed to their wishes, the more their demands increased resulting finally in the call for separation. Why can’t we treat the Kashmiris like other Indians?

PN Razdan, via email

Mirror to the media

Kudos to Karan Thapar’s analysis in Listen to the self! (Sunday Sentiments, August 17) for his brave confession on behalf of the media fraternity. Truly, media houses are today in hand-in-glove with big corporate houses or they are owned by them. They don’t adhere to the ethos of journalism and are solely guided by profit. But unfortunately, most of the journalists in this era nourish political ambitions, which makes them lose their objectivity.

Abinash Chaudhary, New Delhi

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I agree with Karan Thapar on how TV channels cheapen themselves in the race for popularity. It’s time something is done to avoid looking like fools in front of the global media. Some channels have made a livelihood out of glorifying superstition while some go overboard on insignificant news incidents.

Jasmeet Sahi, via email

Triggering a gold rush
Apropos of Indrajit Hazra’s article All that’s blasé is gold (Red Herring, August 17), it is a matter of pride for every Indian that Abhinav Bindra won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. His victory will send out a message to our sports-
loving youth to excel in future. In today’s materialistic society, the younger generation may now opt for sports as a career.

Mahesh Kapasi, via email

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I don’t find myself warming up to our golden boy Abhinav Bindra. And we are sick and tired of hearing how he was sleeping when the opening ceremony was on. Does no one have the guts to even murmur ‘indiscipline’? India does not end with one gold, our story goes on.
Amreeta Sen, via email