Once again, the terrorists have struck a soft target and caused casualties (“Tough times,” editorial, July 12). But the root of this tragedy is the situation in Kashmir. The cobbled-up ruling coalition in Kashmir is neither able to enforce any sort of governance nor in any way aware of the ground realities. Whatever may have been the motive behind the terrorist attack, what it could have achieved was a communal flare-up across the country. However, what perhaps saved the situation was the daredevil bravery of the Muslim driver who drove through the hail of bullets, which saved a majority of the pilgrims.
Whether the Opposition blames the ruling party or the ruling party blames the terrorists, it is the common citizen of the country who is affected. The ruling dispensation is busy blaming the past governments and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for all the ills plaguing Kashmir today. What it tries to wish away is the fact that statistics of the terrorist attacks and violence have shown a steady upward trend in the past couple of years.
Varghese George,
Secunderabad
The deceptive calm that fell over Jammu and Kashmir on the death anniversary of Burhan Wani has been torn to shreds by the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims. The pilgrims may have taken a bus that wasn’t registered. They may have travelled after permitted hours, along a path that wasn’t protected. However, the fact remains that if the terrorists don’t stop firing if an innocent comes in their line of fire, they are killing that innocent with a motive. Should we now let terrorists decide how, when and where we travel in our own country? While it is the government’s prerogative to decide on the response to this dastardly attack, we, the citizens of India, should not let our collective anger turn limp with time. Inaction against the terrorists is not an option.
J.S. Acharya,
Hyderabad
