Mail

George's unceremonious return

Sir,

It refers to unceremonious return of the Union Defence Minister George Fernades in the Union Cabinet. Running coalition government is opportunistic politics of complusions. There were no adverse comments on George Fernandes in tehelka. com tapes. He was removed only to pacify the Bangla lady Mamta Banerji. It is a big slap on face of opportunist Mamta by herself that she left the Government when her ungenuine demand (of removing George from the Union Cabinet) was accepted, but now favoured his return as Union Defence Minister while the Venkatswamy Commission has not completed enquiry on Tehelka issue! All such hasty decisions make fun of world's biggest democratic system. Two wrongs cannot make one thing right. Removal of George was as wrong, as his return to the Cabinet before the enquiry is completed. If Jain Committee can finish the enquiry for the Army in short period by even getting the guilty army persons punished, there is no reason that Venkatswamy Commission should take such long. Though the national defence did require a full-time Defence Minister like George, yet it would have been better if his return would have been after early completion of enquiry by Venkatswamy Commission.

Yours etc...
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
1775 Kucha Lattushah
Dariba Delhi 110006

Global terrorism

Sir,

The killing of thousands of people at World Trade Centre New York and Pantagon, Washington by the terrorists group of Osama-bin-Laden on 11th of Sept. 2001 was a notorious act.

It is being believed by the intellectuals that the killings of Chitti Singh Pura, and Srinagar was by the group of Osama-bin-Laden. No terrorist organisation took the responsibility for that inhuman act. According to Osama the Sept 11 attack was against what Ameraca did in Iraq, Veitnam and Saoudi Arab etc. Generally, America did not like any one who came in conflict with their ideology. The sanctions imposed on Iraq, India and Pakistan were part of their strategy to subjugate them as they went nuclear to the utmost displeasure of America. The terrorism in J&K is the result of "Dual policy" of America.

Due to wrong policies of America, Taliban, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the innocent people of the world are suffering. Osama-bin-Laden declares himself to be a true and holy religious person but in reality he is not so as it is clear from the case of demolition of Lord Budha's Statues in Afghanistan by Taliban and killing of thousands of innocent people of the World Trade Centre and Pantagon. If Osama bin Laden was having an enmity with America, he could have taken revenge by another was including military action but not at the cost of innocent people. The brutal killings of innocent persons is not a proper way of taking revenge and is a sin in the house of God and before the eyes of international law, Islamic law and law of the land etc.

Yours etc...
Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Jammu.

Sheer hypocrisy

Sir,

Following, his statement in Pakistan that Kashmir is central to the relationship between India and Pakistan, US Secretary of State Mr. Colin Powell visited India to placate Indian leadership. He reassured them that the US is committed to root out terrorism in all its manifestations and forms including against India. However everyone here is convinced that the US is indulging in double speak. And it is for Indian leadership to see through this hypocrisy.

The US administration knows fully well that Pakistan is the centre of global terrorism and the Taliban is its creation. This is also a known fact that General Musharraf, man Friday of the US, has direct links with the Taliban leaders and Osama bin Laden. India has provided chinching evidences of Musharraf's personal links with groups funding terrorist activities.

This is also no secret that Pakistan is directly involved in militancy in Kashmir. Musharraf is reportedly on record to have said that if India does not leave Kashmir, the jehadis would do an Afghanistan on it. It is also an established fact that most terrorist organisations operating in Kashmir enjoy the patronage of Pakistan Government and ISI. Newspaper reports suggest that Azhar Masood whose Jaish-e- Mohammad outfit has been banned by the US is the most patronised militant in Pakistan who has been provided police protection. He has an office in Islamabad. Training to Jash-e-Mohammad Fidayeen and militants is largely conducted by veterans of the Afghan war and by officers of Pakistan Army and Intelligence.

Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir has devoured thousands of innocent people including women and children during the last 12 years. This kind of terrorism also forms a part of global terrorism.

Till September 11, Pakistan was a pariah for the whole world and was no the watch list of the US. Now the US considers Pakistan as a chief ally in its war against terrorism. For its own interests Bush administration ignores the problems India has been facing by the Pak-sponsored militancy in Kashmir. It chooses to turn a blind eye to the reality that Pakistan is part of the problem of global terrorism and therefore it cannot be a part of the solution. This is sheer hypocrisy of the US that it vows to wipe out terrorism from the world but ignores the involvement of its chief ally Pakistan in global terrorism.

In this scenario, India will be well advised not to bank upon the self-centered US administration in its fight against militancy in Jammu & Kashmir. The US has so far avoided telling India how it views the ongoing terrorism in the State. India, therefore, should take steps absolutely vital for the country's protection and solidarity.

Yours etc...
J L Dhar
Shastri Nagar,
Jammu.

Teachers in trouble

Sir,

Your editorial "Private Teachers", of Oct 10 comparing the salary of a teacher of a private Institute to the wages of a daily labour has highlighted the condition of these educated, but unfortunate creatures, is a great service to the society.

The grants of all the private Institutes that don't pay Government scales of salary should be stopped. It seems the Government has some interest in exploitation of teachers, otherwise how can Govt. grant to sanctioned to a private institute which violates the Government order.

One of your readers Mr. Rajeev Kumar in his letter published in October, 15, issue has even given details of the Govt. Order under which it was mandatory for the private polytechnics to pay AICTE scales to the teachers.

Nothing has been done by the concerned so far. The Govt. must act fast and get its order implemented, otherwise, what is the sanctity and purpose of a Government order.

Yours etc...
S P Mahajan
29 Rajpura Jammu.