Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Noble gesture

We are writing to convey our appreciation and admiration for the gesture made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in extending a personal apology to Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jehangir, for the police raid on her room and those of other activists who were in New Delhi for a meeting of South Asians for Human Rights. To us, Dr. Singh's action demonstrates the strength and maturity of Indian democracy, and the respect inherent in the system for the dignity and rights of all people, even those who are not citizens of India. Following his telephone call to Ms. Jehangir, Dr. Singh's stature has risen greatly in our eyes and, we are certain, in the eyes of the people across Pakistan, India and the rest of the international community. The gesture also goes to consolidate Indo-Pakistan peace at a time when it is facing possible new hurdles.

The Prime Minister has shown he values human rights, and the fact that as a representative of his people and leader of his country, he does not consider himself above the small courtesies and basic demonstrations of respect that are too often abandoned by rulers when they acquire high offices. The people of India have a right to take pride in the deep-rooted democratic dispensation in their country, and the manner in which it has been promoted in its true spirit by Dr. Singh.

Mubashir Hasan, Farooq Tariq, Joseph Francis, Imtiaz Alam, Shahtaj Qizilbash, Muhammad Tahseen, Iqbal Haider & Zohra Yusuf,
Lahore

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