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COMMENTARY
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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 14:13:57 EDT Our Kashmir policy is wrong. When it was agreed by all to divide the country on the basis of religion, doesn't a Muslim-majority area rightly belong to the Muslim country? If not, were we right in claiming the erstwhile Junagadh and Hyderabad states for India? Did we not send our army into Hyderabad and grab it? What moral justification have we for this kind of duplicity? Just because of Nehru's silly sentimental attachment to Kashmir (as it was the land of his forefathers), we then clung to Kashmir and continue to do so, blind to the fact that we are sure to lose it one day, tomorrow if not today. Why was the issue taken to the UN at all? Having taken it there, why didn't we have the grace to accept their suggestion? Having shown our contempt for their suggestion, how can we expect sympathy from them? We complain that the world is not taking into consideration the fate of the displaced Kashmiri Hindus who are refugees in their own country. Do WE care? Think of the billions of rupees we poured into Kashmir in these 50 years. With that money, every single Kashmiri Hindu family could have been comfortably resettled in our country. We could have given them a much better life than the life they are now leading. The BJP, which found fault with everything the Congress did all these years, should have jettisoned the wrong and immoral policy which is at the root of most of our present day troubles.
M V Subbarao
Date sent: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 13:55:58 -0400 The aftermath of the nuclear testing by both India and Pakistan has brought the Kashmir issue to the forefront like never before. The Security Council is meeting this week and I am sure their main topic is going to be Kashmir. India has repeatedly made blunders, and failed to close this sensitive issue. One such blunder is our complacency in the matter. Pakistan, on the other hand, works overtime to let the world know what they want the world to know about Kashmir. I must admit that they have succeeded; my wife's English professor, to cite one example, recently talked about this in class -- about how India was a bully in Kashmir and that it was repressing Kashmiris. He even went as far as stating that India should give up Kashmir. Needless to say, my wife was offended no end. The point I am trying to make is that we must leave no stone unturned to keep our land, our history, our heritage and not let some alien countries decide what is ours and what is not ours. One step would be to educate the public in general about Kashmir and what the dispute is all about. We have to let people know why Kashmir is not negotiable and why we are taking this stand. To that end, I urge Rediff to come out with a series of articles to let people know about the issue that is at the bottom of all that is going on in the Indian subcontinent. Thanks A Concerned Indian
Date sent: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 14:18:52 -0400 Dear India, Though I know little about Kashmir's position in India's strategic and economic needs, I worry as to why all this is; if it's really worth to keep Kashmir as a part of India? As per the basics, and as understood by America and its national public radio's recent discussions, India and Pakistan were divided based on Hindu-Muslim conflict and thus Kashmir became separated. If that argument has to be considered very seriously by India, I am wondering what would be the condition of India having a 150 million Muslim population? Will they have to leave the country and go to Pakistan and Kashmir? And how much it would affect India's economy and security? I feel sad for the Muslims then. But if they still wish it, India should not stand against the liberation of Kashmir on the basis of Hindu/Muslim division. Divide and rule might work for peace. If America can help in this serious issue, India definitely gains by regretfully exchanging Kashmir and 150 million Muslims for everlasting peace. Has anyone thought about this and why can't the nuclear brains and counter-CIA intelligence people consider it? 21st century India needs this decision. Am I making a point or will micro-brains still think we can't sacrifice Kashmir? Let it go and prosper along with those who want to go. It's freedom for both Muslims and Hindus. What are Indians to lose if America stands guarantee to this separation? We get absolute peace at the expense of a superpower. Think, think, think... IT IS MUCH BETTER THAN A NUCLEAR OPTION.
Date sent: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 00:42:21 +0800 I would like to remind all those concerned parties that technical success is only half the battle won. The other equally important half is your public relations with the world community. Take a leaf from Israel where half the battle was won at the UN through meticulous planning during its formative years. It's the same old perennial jinx. Bharatwallahs never finish what they begin. And the Mullahs can't believe their luck.
Date sent: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 11:44:46 -0700 I feel Vajpayee is, compa | ||