Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s letter to the States that they should ensure that no innocent Muslim youth is wrongly detained in terror cases is insensitive and improper. By singling out Muslims for preferential treatment, he has infused a sense of insecurity among others. No doubt, there are instances of innocent Muslims being hounded by police, but what about the rest who have been languishing in jails for years for no fault of theirs?
What Mr. Shinde should do is create an environment in which prisoners become aware of their rights, especially the right to legal representation. The primary focus should be on freeing the police force from political interference. Let police do their work diligently, act impartially, and allow courts to do the rest.
Ganapathi Bhat,Akola
The letter is a classic example of communalisation of politics. The Congress seems to be worried only about Muslim youth who are wrongly detained. What about others who face the brunt of wrongful detention? Mr. Shinde’s direction may well turn out to be a deterrent for officials investigating terror-related cases.
K.B. Dessai,Margao
