•Shekhar Gupta has charted out the dangerous consequences of the present communication gap between the government and the Muslim community in the aftermath of the Jamia Nagar encounter A different encounter’. The Congress must dispel the doubts and misinformation about the encounter and convince Muslims of the impartiality and transparency in the follow-up investigation. It is also equally important that the Muslim community tell their own self-styled and opportunistic leaders clearly and firmly not to exacerbate the present inter-community suspicion and distrust for their narrow political ends. In the present suspicion-ridden atmosphere, the Congress must engage with the Muslim community, thus leaving no space for mischief mongers and anti-social elements.

— Tarsem Singh New Delhi

• This refers to Shekhar Gupta’s article. He suggests that the Congress top leadership should open a dialogue with Muslims. But why does not the pro-Congress Muslim leadership attempt a dialogue with the Congress?

— P. Y. Mehta Mumbai

Each one counts

• A.L. Saiyed’s advice to Muslims ‘Repairing Azad’s vision’, to refrain from being misled by selfish clerics, and to interact with society with open-mindedness, is very apt. Instead of being instigated and provoked by fundamentalist groups inside and outside the community, educated Muslim youth should lead it out of its victimisation mindset. Devious leaders exploit Muslims’ real and perceived fears only for their own vested interests. They have a stake in the alienation and backwardness of the community. All Muslims must feel that they are important and proud citizens of India.

... contd.