The reports, “It’s Surjeet, not Sarabjit, says Pakistan” & “Misled by news reports, Sarabjit’s village rejoices” (June 27), are a classic case of turning bliss into melancholy. The flip-flop on the part of the Pakistan administration has dashed hopes of Sarabjit Singh being released. One only hopes that justice will be realised in the end.
H.P. Murali,
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Is Pakistan really interested in releasing Sarabjit or has whatever that has happened a sign of backroom manoeuvring by the Army generals?
It looks as if Pakistan is really not interested in developing relations with India. Perhaps, the nabbing of Zabiuddin Ansari, the Maharashtra-born 26/11 suspect deported from Saudi Arabia to India, may be the reason. Embarrassing revelations could be possible.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Thrissur
There is no doubt whatsoever that the Pakistan President’s Office (most probably under the ISI’s instructions) has played a sinister role in the U-turn. It was shocking to read the headlines when just the previous evening, the print and electronic media had been building up the tempo towards what should have been a joyous occasion. On a separate point, it was only after reading the news today that one got to know who Surjeet Singh is.
The time has come for the government to intervene and get every innocent Indian convicted in Pakistan freed at the earliest. What about the prisoners of war of 1971?
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,
Faridabad
Had Sarabjit Singh been released, it would have further strengthened our bilateral ties with Pakistan.
C.A.C. Murugappan,
Kothamangalam
In a matter of hours, Sarabjit Singh transmogrified into Surjeet Singh, thanks to some terrible moves by President Asif Ali Zardari. It was terrible to read the news. It is not inconceivable that the Pakistani President gave in to the immense pressure from the hawks and hardliners.
One is reminded of what Robespierre’s men did to the nobles at the end of the French Revolution. They released the nobles in the disguise of commoners, in a bid to escape, let them travel to the main gate and then called them back to be guillotined.
The electronic media in particular looks quite foolish. In practical terms, it also means the postponement of the much-needed reconciliation and normalisation of bilateral relations. At this point in time, both India and Pakistan would do well to avoid contemplating a hardening of stances as there are hundreds of Indian and Pakistani nationals who continue to languish in prisons in both countries.
G. David Milton,
Maruthancode
It’s unfortunate that in order to increase TRP, the electronic media went overboard and ended up perpetrating a cruel joke without waiting for the facts.
N. Nagarajan,
Hyderabad
One is tempted to say that Pakistan has revealed its true colours and always seems to be like a wounded tiger waiting to strike no matter what attempts are made at reconciliation. When India takes several postive steps forward, why do we always end up with egg on our face?
Nellai Thirumalairajan,
Chennai
What a shock for Sarabjit Singh’s family. What I suspect is that it is not a mistake by Pakistan but deliberate mischief.
A. Srikantaiah,
Bangalore
It is unfortunate that after offering a lifeline to Sarabjit Singh, Pakistan has played its master card. The confusion over the “mix-up” of names should have been avoided.
N.R. Ramachandran,
Chennai
The release of Surjeet Singh is also good news. But Pakistan’s faux pas over Sarabjit is rather disturbing. Pakistan must realise the pain inflicted by it intentionally or unintentionally on his family. The government of India seems to have been caught off guard, once again.
K.V. Seetharamaiah,
Hassan