The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Asymmetric violence

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Saturday, Aug 01, 2009
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Asymmetric violence

The article “Coping with asymmetric violence” (July 31) offers a balanced view of a persistent problem — naxalite violence — faced by India. While military action against naxalites may be legally justified, it has only a cosmetic effect in dealing with the problem. The real disease lies, as the article points out, in poverty, inequalities, and social deprivation. Unless our political and bureaucratic mechanism becomes more sensitive, and the state adheres to inclusive development strictly, insurgency will continue to eat into the vitals of our country.

T.U. James,

Neriamangalam

It is true that military options do not succeed vis-À-vis insurgencies. There is no alternative to winning the minds and hearts of people by improving their living conditions, and sorting out issues related to social justice.

P. Subbiah,

Tirunelveli

At the dawn of Manmohanomics under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, I remember telling a trade union leader in the company I worked that an ineffective and insufficient trickle down of prosperity will bring about a revolution in India. It has not happened and, hopefully, the new policy of inclusive growth will prevent it. But it has to be remembered that in some parts, there is an urgent need to accelerate inclusive growth.

Mathew Gainneos,

Thiruvananthapuram

The notion of winning the hearts and minds of people is illusive. Ensuring social justice is an extensive subject and in a state like India, which has descended from an imperialistic way of rule, such ways of addressing the problem can never be a reality. There are many conflicts between different populations such as tribals and the non-tribals, and forest dwellers and non-forest dwellers which lie unresolved. We tend to ignore the marginalised sections and, if possible, run a bulldozer over them. With such a mindset, there is little hope of coping successfully with asymmetric violence.

Shubham Ghosh,

Kolkata

Only an honest commitment to provide justice, dignity, and livelihood to all can curb the anger and hopelessness that drive the underdogs to violence and terror. People easily see through quick-fix solutions and consider them an affront to their self-respect. We need development programmes with a heart to root out desperation.

Thehseen Zakir,

Kochi

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