Mailbag

Lack of objectivity

Sir,

The series of articles on Kashmir in Rediff-on-the-Net really deserves kudos. However, a major flaw seems to be an apparent lack of objectivity in analysing the political consequences on the issue of Kashmiri separatism. The frustrations with the Indian Government by the Kashmiri people are understandable. However when the supremo of Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, Shabir Shah, suggests that Kashmir should be put on the bargaining table it is indeed suggested that India must accept geographical vivisection with grace. The articles seem only to unfairly badger the Indian Government for not taking more flak for the pogroms- which had been ushered by the Islamic militants in the first place. While I am not condoning the excesses committed by the Army personnel, the present series does evade the fundamental issue of secession of Kashmir from India. The question most naturally arises: is there any moral reason for negotiating with the groups (APHC) calling for secession of Kashmir, when it is clear that for India to settle this issue politically, the Government has to work within the framework of the Indian Constitution, which can not recognize theocracy as a viable political alternative? If Kashmir goes today, then would it not set a very grim precedent for other Muslim-majority pockets in India to call for separation and self-determination? It is unfortunate that most of the Indian news media, including the Rediff-on-the-Net, are maintaining a studied silence on this contentious issue which is confusing the world on India's stand on Kashmir.

Yours etc...
Deb Chatterjee,
1301 West 24th Street, Apt. N-19,
Lawrence, KS 66046, USA
deb_chatterjee@hotmail.com

Plea to SCBC

Sir,

The State Commission for backward classes was set up in 1995 by the then Governor Gen. K V Krishna Rao (Retd) after the Supreme Court Judgement on Mandal Report in 1992. This Commission was as per guidelines to be set up in 1992.

Then it was passed by the NC Government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah in 1997. And it became functional by inducting two members from the Backward Classes.

The State Commission was set up to include all those castes which are socially and educationally backward in the list of OBCs and to exclude all those castes which are economically weaker but not socially and educationally backward. This is due to the fact that almost whole of the share goes to them, leaving OBCs high and dry. The constitution of the country has provisions for the liftment of these castes. These castes can be classified under any other heading except that which is exclusive for OBCs. Supreme Court Judgement also reads as ''drifting away the share of OBCs for non-OBCs on the name of OBCs is a legal abuse and the services of the Commission are required to stop this illegal process in the State by making recommendations rectifying this legal abuse for which the State OBCs are awaiting for a long period for the justice.''

The State OBCs will extend their full support for the upliftment of the socially and educationally backward people. State OBCs urge to the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah to pay special attention for their upliftment.

It is, therefore, requested to the Commission members to expedite the process of inclusion and exclusion on the basis of the Constitutional provisions as the Commission has already completed the process of hearing of persons belong to different categories.

Yours etc..
Prof Kali Dass
General Secretary
All India Backward Classes Union (Social)

Paying tributes to leaders

Sir,

Please refer to statement published in Daily Excelsior under title'' Tributes Paid to G M Sadiq'' dated 13.12.99.

It is always a pleasure to recall the great personalities, but the organisation ''Congress' somehow is not able to maintain uniform policy on paying tributes to Veteran leaders of their Party. The well said example is late G M Mir Lasjan, who died on same day the 12th of December 1995. Social Reformer, Senior Congress Leader served people of Jammu & Kashmir in different capacities and worked closely with Late G M Sadiq. Present Congress leadership including Mr Gulam Rasool Kar has not been able to put down single line statement on paying tributes to late G M Mir Lasjan on his death anniversary. One cannot blame Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah who claimed Late Mir Lasjan as architect of Rajiv-Congress accord in 1987 and selected him (the only Congress based Cabinet minister from Valley) for his cabinet. We recall the days when Dr Farooq Abdullah in his Friday Speech at Edgah mentioned about the induction into his cabinet on basis of honesty and personal recommendation of then Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi.

When comparison on corruption charges is discussed, same late Mir Lasjan resigned as Senior most Cabinet Minister in Dr Farooq Abdullah's ministry on moral grounds while corruption charges were levelled against his son then Divisional Engineer of State Public Health Engineering Department. Later proved by law that all the charges were bent upon maligning Late Mir Lasjan to ruin his Political Career by same Congress Party colleagues. Personality who has taken the path of honesty and dedication towards national cause have no room today while tributes are paid.

Yours etc...
Dr M A Shah
<zaffer@tnt.sovintel.ru>