The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : In god’s name

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Thursday, Jun 26, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

In god’s name

This refers to the editorial “In god’s name” (June 25). Jammu and Kashmir Governor S.K. Sinha’s act of not placing the facts related to the allotment of land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board in proper perspective and the Congress failure to speak out against him are not in good taste. The hate campaign unleashed by a few among Hindus and Muslims in god’s name should not be allowed to continue in the State. As the editorial rightly says, wisdom should be made to prevail in the State before the Assembly elections.

K.S. Thampi,

Chennai

The editorial mirrors the atmosphere in J&K, where the partisan attitude of the highest constitutional authority has had an adverse effect on the psyche of the community which bears the brunt of the consequences of state policy.

The action of the outgoing Governor and the role played by the principal secretary have vitiated the communal atmosphere in the State. The BJP’s threat to cut food supplies to the Kashmir Valley is nothing short of fishing in troubled waters.

The Centre should appoint only people of integrity as its representatives in the State. Their primary objective should be to cement the relationship between Hindus and Muslims. The highest authority should not only be above board but also seen to be above board.

Mohamed Zafrulla Khan,

Bangalore

Just as things appeared to be heading towards normality in the State, politicians of all hues have created an issue out of nowhere and sown the seeds of discontent and discord.

Anil K. Joshi,

Ranikhet

The State government ought to have anticipated the fallout of the decision to allot 39.88 hectares of forest land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. It has done more harm than good. The insurgency in the State will get a boost, leading to the rise in the number of casualties among the armed forces.

A.H. Maqdoomi,

Gulbarga

The problem in J&K is the reiteration of the vulnerability of the believers waiting to be tapped. Hawks in some political parties, who are not averse to inflaming divisive communal tensions, pounce on opportunities created by the government’s inept handling of an issue. In this case, the agent provocateur is the Governor. Such disturbances can come to an end only if secularism is practised in its pure form — and the state is strictly separated from religion.

Kasim Sait,

Chennai

As chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, it is the Governor’s duty to provide facilities to the large number of pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath yatra. Lakhs of Hindus who make the pilgrimage every year need security and camping facilities. So there is really nothing wrong in the board permitting pre-fabricated structures on the 39.88 hectares of degraded forest land. General Sinha should have clarified to the people that no land was being transferred to the Board and that it would be used only for camping purposes. The Centre should intervene to ensure that miscreants do not provoke communal clashes over the issue.

N. Hariharan,

Coimbatore

The Amarnath shrine has been attracting pilgrims in a big way. Their numbers are growing by the year. There is nothing wrong in the allotment of some extra land for accommodating the pilgrims and for camping purposes. By protesting against the move, the people in and around Srinagar have sent a wrong signal.

B.N. Gangadhar,

Bangalore

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