The article “Beware the dogs of war” (Jan. 17) deserves to be commended for the matter-of-fact treatment of the profound significance of the Line of Control for Kashmiris living on both sides of the border. The author has done well to highlight the need for our making use of the ‘Golden Hour’ appropriately, without pandering to the hysterically aggressive demand for the “10 for one” retaliation against Pakistan, which is still struggling to strengthen its democratic roots.
As a mature democracy, India has the responsibility to ensure that it does not make itself a prisoner of Pakistan’s provocative actions. While we should never give up addressing Pakistan’s LoC violations in a professional manner, at no stage should we end up giving short shrift to confidence-building measures and Track-Two negotiations.
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The Pakistan army’s barbaric act of beheading an Indian jawan is unacceptable. India needs to change its foreign policies, especially those related to war. How can a country claiming to have the second largest army in the world tolerate such incidents of brutality? Will the U.S. ever tolerate such incidents? If we can frame a Constitution, copying from other countries, why not copy their policies and strategies too?
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Delhi
Frequent ceasefire violations are not the only issue between India and Pakistan. The inhumane mutilation of the bodies of two Indian soldiers is the main cause for the heightened tensions. It is this sentiment that is being reflected by our politicians.
Akarsh B. Basapura,
Bangalore
When the situation becomes too difficult to bear even a worm will turn, so goes the saying. The Pakistan army, which brutalised two of our soldiers without provocation, is indeed inhumane. Peace can be established only through a live-and-let-live policy. There will be none to tell the tale should there be another war.
Nirmala Kuttan,
Cherpulasseri