Editor's Mail Koshur Samachar

Pakistan Jihad  by Moorthy Muthuswamy

The Monday Commentary column "Mumbai's theological terror," while making the right inferences, has overlooked the contributions of the most important player responsible for the Mumbai massacre: Pakistan's military.

That the group responsible for the massacre, Lashkar-e-Tayeba, is a clandestine arm of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is no longer in question. However, the Pakistani intelligence agency is staffed on a rotational basis by Pakistani military officers.

The motto of Pakistan's army reads: "Imaan, Taqwa, Jihad fi Sabilillah" or "Faith, Piety, Holy War in the path of Allah." In other words, jihad or waging terror is the motto of Pakistan's army --and is designed to conquer land and subjugate infidels in violation of the Geneva conventions. The Pakistani military, no doubt, takes this motto very seriously. The cold-blooded murder of innocents in Mumbai, including many Americans, is an act of the Pakistani army. The ignominy of Pakistan stonewalling the massacre aftermath is entirely expected. Pakistan's role in the way of sponsoring the Taliban and Al Qaeda before and after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks is also no longer in dispute. The visiting Prime Minister of Britain noted in Pakistan that "Three quarters of the most serious terror plots being investigated by UK authorities have links to Pakistan."

Under the "constructive engagement" of the Bush administration, nearly a quarter of Pakistan's defence budget of $4 billion comes from Washington. Do we still want to be identified with funding a sworn enemy who is killing us and our allies? This funding goes against the U.S. Army motto: "This, We'll Defend." Indeed, Pakistan is very similar to what Nazi Germany was in the late 1930s. A responsible great power knows when political options run out. This forgotten art is sorely needed in Washington today.

Moorthy Muthuswamy

White Paper Needed on KPS Exodus by Hira Lal Gadoo

On August 15, 2008, India celebrated 61" birth anniversary of freedom but one cannot judge whether the common man in general is enjoying the fruits of the freedom and Kashmiri Pandits in particular, who have been forced to become refugees in their own country for the last 20 years. Fruits of independence are being enjoyed only by politicians who have made political careers a business by wrong deeds and unlawful activities and by making the common man a fool by forcing him to remain mum, who dare not say anything against these fraudulent political leaders. The common man has no nationality or government. The police beat him as the present government is running under the shade of an umbrella of police forces. Is it not a shame for the leaders of India? The answer is in negative, as the political leaders only want to divide and rule for their own interests even though they do not hesitate in killing their sons and relatives.

If Kashmir is an integral part of India why do not the leaders of India as well as the Central Government say it openly. Kashmiri Pandits have been forced to leave their birth places due to the negligence of the Central and state governments. Why is the Government mum on it. Are not Kashmiri Pandits citizens of Independent India? Have they not the right to demand their fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution? When any one from any other community is killed or forced to leave his birthplace, the politicians, mainly the Congress, the CPM and its allies, raise a hue and cry. One can judge my saying in regard to Gujarat, Orissa and other states where a single Christian or Muslim is killed even though they are at fault Whey are they mum on the issue of Kashmiri Pandits? A number of commissions was constituted for conducting enquiry into Gujarat and other states but not a single white paper has been issued to enable the people of India to know the factual position regarding the conditions due to which Kashmiri Pandits have been forced to leave their birth places without any fault of theirs. Kashmiri Pandits are true nationalists and this nationality is in their veins. Nothing is being done for their settlement for the last 20 years. I am making a humble request to the Government of India as well as all political leaders of India and Jammu and Kashmir to constitute, without further loss of time, a commission of enquiry as well as issue a white paper on the said episode and bring the culprits to book in addition to give the Kashmiri Pandits their due share so that they can also move freely and enjoy the fruits of freedom. Otherwise it is a shame for the leaders of India who are saying that we are an Independent nation.

Hira Lal Gadoo, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

By S.N.Raina

One again the people of the J&K State have put their faith in democracy which is rooted deeply in our country. People of the state, this time, also, upheld the Indian concepts of social/ secularism and democracy. People of the state turned out heavily for voting which is appreciative. Those forces, which had given a boycott call, stand defeated. Negative politics in the state has no meaning for the people. People, by and large, braved all the odds and participated in the elections ignoring threats. People have shown total enthusiasm and determination in electing their representatives for the Assembly. The days are gone when some politicians used to exploit the people for their selfish ends. It is also noteworthy that women folk also made their presence felt by coming out in large numbers to vote. It is a signal for those who wanted to alienate people from the mainstream. The polling process has by and large remained peaceful. The nationalist forces have once again got strengthened. It is a signal towards integration of the country and triumph of secular forces which want peace and prosperity of the country. People are the right judges and the verdict of the people is the verdict of God.

S.N.Raina, Jammu

A Beautiful Encounter by Avinash Pandita,

I introspect and begin to recall that momentous day in the early seventies, when I was in the 8th standard of St. Joseph's School, Baramulla The majestic school on the roadside was not far away from my residence Times were so different and the conservative approach to life coupled with parental fear was holding the upper hand. Landing on the moon had recently been accomplished and the possession of television and its viewing was a far cry. Amidst all this going to cinema to watch movies by youngsters was frowned upon and not encouraged, though through a schoolmate, businessman friend of mine, I had started enjoying pieces of freedom as far as cinema viewing was concerned. After gathering courage, I somehow skipped the school one day and went for a first day show of "Mela" at Regina cinema hall, close to our school.

The lights in the hall had just been switched off and I relaxed to watch the movie. The story appeared to be interesting and in no time I was oblivious to the environment, which was interrupted by a sudden but routine power failure. In the absence of power backup systems, one had to bank upon the restoration of the main electric supply that kept on eluding us for quite some time. As a remedy to the dark environment all the gates of the hall were opened up to make way for the ingress of the natural light. No sooner the hazy sunlight appeared in the hall, I turned to my right only to recognize Autar Krishan, who worked under my father in the office, sitting next to me. Knowing the infamous backbiting nature of the gentleman, I shivered that he would certainly tell my father of his encounter with me in the cinema hall. We exchanged cursory looks and a few snacks.

The only way to get out of this impasse was to invite the man for a cup of tea at the end of the show (which never appeared to be so in the absence of the power failure) to ensure that he remains quiet about this encounter. To my surprise, I found him compromising as we walked, and it was he who took me to a nearby cafeteria. As I sat down precariously, he initiated the clarification conversation and without much ado came straight to the point. "See, I took short leave from the office telling your father that I was sick. Please do not tell him about your meeting me at the Regina cinema". The events had taken a U turn and I comforted myself. When the waiter approached, I courageously added some cakes to Autar Krishan's order for a simple cup of tea.

Aah, those were the days, when, parental pressure loomed large, but paved the way for discipline among the children.

Avinash Pandita, I.P. Extension, Delhi.

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Courtesy: January 2009, Koshur Samachar