Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Haneef’s case

The Australian Government’s move of revoking the visa of Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef — charged with recklessly providing support to a terrorist group — on the same day as he was granted bail and not earlier is indeed a colourable exercise of power, as stated in the editorial “Balancing firmness with sensitivity” (July 17). As already pointed out (Letters, July 17), it is a common practice among NRIs to give their SIM cards to their friends or relatives while leaving a country.

It is unfortunate that Dr. Haneef’s cousins to whom he had handed over his SIM card were involved in the attempted attacks in London and Glasgow.

A. Jainulabdeen,

Chennai

If the Australian Government had anything substantial against Dr. Haneef, it should have brought it up before the magistrate when his bail plea was being heard. The immigration law, it seems, has been used as a ruse to keep him in custody till such time as the government has exhausted all excuses or till the British police have established some link with the terrorists, however tenuous.

I am not supporting terrorism, but I do believe in and cherish human rights and the right to a legal process. What the Immigration Minister has done is palpably wrong and it is time the Indian Government stepped in to protect its citizen.

Ranjan Ray,

Jolimont, W. Australia

Dr. Haneef has only been charged with being reckless. Why then is the Australian Government acting so tough with him?

Dr. Haneef gave his mobile phone SIM card to his cousins a year ago and it was not used in the failed terror attacks in the U.K. The case against Dr. Haneef is very weak indeed. The Government of India should take positive and concrete action to get him released.

V. Hari Haran,

Chennai

Two Mercedes Benz saloons and a Cherokee jeep were used in the terror attacks in London and Glasgow. Are the unsuspecting dealers going to be implicated?

The incidents leading up to the flimsy ground on which Dr. Haneef was charged, and the fact that his visa was revoked the day he was granted bail expose the unfair techniques employed in handling the case.

M.A. Hakeem,

Hyderabad

New Delhi’s plea to Canberra to treat Dr. Haneef “fairly and justly” is uncalled for. He is facing charges for his alleged support to acts of terror. Only after a thorough investigation, he has been detained and his visa revoked.

V.S. Daves,

Cupertino, California

It is an irony that India, itself a victim of unjust terrorist attacks, is sympathising with one charged with abetting terror. Instead of coming to any hasty conclusion, it is better to wait and take a balanced view once the investigation comes to an end.

We are in no way competent to advise other states when we have miserably failed to safeguard our people from terrorist attacks on several occasions.

V. Ramasubramanian,

Chennai

The excessive interest being shown by India in Dr. Haneef’s case is deplorable. For a country like India, reluctant to punish a terrorist even after he is sentenced to death by the Supreme Court, the Australian Government’s action may be difficult to understand. Indian fisherman are regularly detained and tortured by the Sri Lankan navy for their alleged support to the LTTE. How come neither the PMO nor the MEA has ever shown such compassion for them?

V. Rajalakshmi,

Mumbai

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