Reach out to radicals in Kashmir

Refer to ‘Win over locals to combat terror’; it was heartening to see that the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley condemned the killings in Pahalgam. But we cannot ignore the fact that some radicalised Kashmiris provide support, shelter and food to terrorists either out of fear or due to religious affinity. The government should reach out to these radicals, listen to them and try to bring them into the mainstream so that Pak-sponsored terrorists fail to get ground support to operate in Kashmir. At the same time, the government should fast-track the hunt for the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre.

Wg Cdr Cl Sehgal (Retd), Jalandhar

Kashmiris have huge role to play

Apropos of ‘Win over locals to combat terror’; the writer has given the most realistic description of terrorism and offers an effective solution to deal with the worst scourge — preying on innocent lives worldwide. His first-hand experience of weeding out terrorists in Punjab is a testimony to the supercop’s advice — win over the locals by treating them with respect and dignity. The Kashmiris stood as one to condemn the attacks and now they must come out with revelations regarding the radicals trying to spread terror in the country.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Destroy terrorist camps

With reference to ‘Avoid strike against Pakistan. It could escalate into war’; soldiers and their families are the ones who bear the brunt of war. The violence unleashed by the enemy has to be replied with full force. Soldiers will capture enemy areas by shedding their blood but later political leaders will reach a compromise at the negotiating table. India must avoid war at any cost when there are better options like cancelling the Indus Waters Treaty. Stopping water supply to Pakistan will severely hit its economy. India should identify and destroy terrorist camps and go after the big fish like LeT leader Hafiz Saeed. If Pakistan retaliates militarily, it will commit a double folly— it will lose the war and lose water too.

Capt Amar Jeet (Retd), Kharar

No relevance of caste

Refer to ‘Caste count’; the BJP government at the Centre has surprisingly announced the caste census at this critical juncture when the nation is in the throes of a security threat. It is evident that the decision has been taken due to vote-bank compulsions ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. It has been reaffirmed time and again that winning elections is the only priority for politicians while the country’s welfare is secondary. The BJP government has upset the Opposition’s applecart with this decision. No party bothers how the chasm created in society by giving boost to caste identity is going to weaken the country. Divisions based on caste lines will be followed by the fight for reservation, which will ignite another debate.

Yoginder Singhal, Ladwa

Caste census only for politics

The announcement of the caste census seems to have overshadowed other important issues at hand. Caste and religion are private matters for every person. The Constitution says that fundamental rights and duties are equal for all, irrespective of caste, colour or creed. In our modern society, caste is never referred to in general or at social gatherings. Caste may be an issue while making matrimonial alliances, but that is true only in some cases of arranged marriages. Anybody referring to somebody’s caste is viewed as narrow-minded.

NPS Sohal, by mail

Sworn enemies over state issues

Apropos of ‘Centre calls meeting of BBMB partner states as Punjab refuses water to Haryana’; the Union Home Secretary is fully justified in convening an emergency meeting of the chief secretaries of the states concerned. It would be better if the stakeholders reach a consensus to accommodate Haryana’s interests on humanitarian grounds in its hour of crisis. Water demand for domestic purposes must take precedence over dirty politics being played by vested interests. It is ironical that political leaders from different parties in Punjab and Haryana come together for personal gains but act as sworn enemies over inter-state issues.

Vijaya Sharma, by mail

Letters to the Editor