The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Ishrat's killing

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Friday, Jun 25, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Ishrat's killing

Sir, — Yesterday it was `Best Bakery'. Today it is Ishrat Jahan. In Gujarat, there seems to be no letup. The way the studious poor Muslim girl (who gave so much emotional and financial support to her mother by giving tuitions) has been done away with is nothing short of state terrorism. Who is to answer the mother's sob? What is worse is the Shiv Sena's protest against the donation of Rs.1 lakh to the poor family. The answer to Modi's rath yatra is people's protest. We saw it in Mumbai. It downed its shutters.

One should realise at least now what political majoritarianism founded on religion can lead to. It blunts enduring values like compassion and tolerance for others, which is so essential for a secular polity. We must try to avoid another Noakhali.

N.G.R. Prasad,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — It is unfortunate that political parties are using Ishrat's killing to score points over one another. Intelligence reports have claimed that there was evidence to establish her terrorist link whereas the Thane police say there is no such evidence. First both sides of the story have to be clearly evaluated; only then should accusations or donations come.

Mala Sridhar,
Mumbai

* * *

Sir, — Now that the police are claiming that they have seized a diary that establishes the terrorist connection of Ishrat, will all those who rushed to attribute motives to the Gujarat police explain their knee-jerk reaction?

T.S. Rao,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.

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