Blair’s blah blah over Kashmir

Tony Blair’s assertion in Bangalore that Pakistan has a strong case on Kashmir is curious. If he was merely alluding to Pakistan’s obsession with and forceful advocacy of the centrality of the issue in its relations with India, it is understandable. But if he meant that the question of Kashmir’s accession to India is still open and subject to plebiscite, then it is untenable.

The status of Kashmir is neither geographically nor demographically the same as it was immediately after the Partition. More than half of the territory has been under forceful occupation of Pakistan, which had even the temerity to gift away part of the booty to its ally, China. There has been ethnic cleansing in the name of what Musharraf loves to term “a legitimate freedom struggle”.

It is significant that areas other than the Valley such as Jammu and Ladakh have enjoyed relative peace and quiet. This falsifies claims of widespread repression across the State. The West must understand that there is a valid instrument of accession in favour of India, while there is nothing to justify Pakistani occupation of a significant part of the State.
— J.M. MANCHANDA
On e-mail

No holy cow

Tarun Tejpal’s article (IE, January 7) was nothing but venting of frustration due to Tehelka’s inability to manage the repercussions of an unprecedented expose. His calculation that the expose would act as a knockout punch to the government while he would enjoy the accolades has gone awfully wrong.

Tejpal should understand that if politicians, bureaucrats and army officers are open to scrutiny, journalists can also be subjected to the same. Journalists and judges are fast becoming holy cows and any questioning of their integrity is tantamount to blasphemy. As a citizen of India, I have a right to know whether Tehelka has used sensitive defence information for their benefit or not. Journalists can’t be given immunity to public scrutiny just by virtue of their profession.
— SONAM SHYAM
Delhi

Act or face war

The Vajpayee-Musharraf handshake was a good gesture. By asking for action on terrorist organisations in Pakistan, India has made it clear that no bilateral talks can be held with Pakistan until it acts positively against terrorists and extradite them to India.

The time has come when Musharraf has to take concrete steps to decrease tension between the two countries. He has to prove that his administration is sincere in improving Indo-Pak ties. India does not want another summit which doesn’t give any results. Musharraf should understand that the patience of Indian people is fast ending and he should try to avoid a war.
— BABUR RAYYAN
Aligarh

The real winner

Though forces from the US and the UK are going through the motions of continued bombings and search and destroy operations around Kandahar, in effect, they have already lost Afghanistan to their new Russian friends.

It seems Russians have always been faster in mopping up operations than the US and its allies. In the aftermath of Hitler’s defeat, Russian forces swept through a greater part of the Eastern Europe, surprising allied forces in Berlin. When the dust settled, Soviet Russia was in occupation of a big chunk of East Europe, areas vast enough to erect the famous Iron Curtain. The same alacrity was shown by its troops in Kosavo, when they moved faster than the US and its allied forces to capture the vital airport. The same swift moves saw Russia’s old time allies General Fahim of the Northern Alliance to move into Kabul, even while the US could only issue warnings from a helpless distance to Northern Alliance not to enter Kabul.

It goes to prove that arial bombing — US style — can kill thousands of innocents but without ground forces it cannot deliver full control.
— GHULAM MUHAMMED
Mumbai