Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

POTA must go

Sir, — The editorial "For liberty's sake, POTA must go" ( Sept. 29 ) was bold and timely. You have rightly stated that its use can only be misuse. The POTA arrests effected so far clearly show that people in power are misusing the Act to settle scores. The immortal slogan of Patrick Henry, symbol of the American struggle for liberty, "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death" is worth recalling.

S. Krishna Kumar,

Tiruchi, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — I would like to draw the attention of those who support POTA to what the German pastor, Martin Niemöller, said regarding the Nazis: "First they came for the Jews. I was silent. I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists. I was silent. I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists. I was silent. I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me. There was no one left to speak for me."

Himal N.,

Minnesota, U.S.

* * *

Sir, — Despite having such `special' laws from time to time, it has never been explained why they did not produce the effect they were meant to. It has become a habit to ask for more power and abuse it. In the process, the state has acquired the behavioural mode of terrorists.

G. Haragopal,

Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — The present laws are sufficient to meet the challenge of terrorism. Without addressing the problem of the criminal administrative system, no laws can be made effective.

Malkangiri Ravi Kumar,

Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — The editorial is truly the voice of the voiceless.

V. Mahendran,

Coimbatore, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — POTA is Frankensteinian because its creators do not know what to do with it. When it has been enacted by Parliament, there is very little the Judiciary can do unless its provisions are challenged. It is for a vigilant media and watchful leadership to ensure that POTA is not misused.

E. Sivasankaran,

Coimbatore, T.N.

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• Talking peace and preparing for war?
• POTA must go
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• Hindi vs English
• Congress decline
• Changing times
• Commendable
• Childish move
• Through the ages

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