The figure of 71.28 per cent polling in Jammu & Kashmir is impressive, but if India is spending crores of rupees on protecting the State and its citizens, we can certainly demand its integration. The people in the Valley ought to integrate themselves with the rest of the country rather than being stuck in a pit of fear and violence dug by them. If Kashmir is just another Indian State, it should not get any extra privileges at the cost of other States. The imposition of Article 370 was meant to be a temporary step, so why is it still there? It is time that is revoked and Kashmir became a full-fledged State of India.
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A.V. Nagarajan,
Chennai
The fact that neither the weather nor terror kept away voters in Kashmir is heartening. If the people there have displayed such enthusiasm, it shows they are definitely in favour of democracy. This trend must continue and the State should integrate itself with the mainstream in all senses.
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P.U. Krishnan,
Udhagamandalam
There is now hope that the youth and first-time voters have shown great enthusiasm by spurning separatists and Maoists. They are obviously disenchanted with the slogans of “bullet over ballot” and “confrontation over conciliation”. The turnout shows this is also a message to extremists to integrate themselves with the mainstream. One must also learn from the verdict on Scotland and the yearning for a united Britain. People everywhere long for peace and good governance.
R. Sridharan,
Chennai
One expects the turnout to be an indicator of a fierce battle between the political parties in the fray. It is being seen as a gamechanger, with the next step being bringing into the mainstream those who have been alienated. It is unfortunate that the NC and the PDP, the two major regional parties, have always forgotten the process of resolution while in power, attacking the Centre instead. There has to be a democratic solution to the Kashmir issue.
Babar Ali Chagatta,
Jammu