The statement by the Prime Minister that India would put to use its share of water from the rivers flowing to Pakistan is not in the spirit of natural justice and is on the borderline of rights violation. Water is one of the most fundamental natural resources and a possible decision to stop water will certainly deprive Pakistan of water security. Water security ensures the availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for a number of reasons and has an impact on the landless and the resource poor. What India needs to keep in mind is the international law on Transboundary Water Resources management which is guided by the Helsinki rules. These rules make provision for the reasonable and equitable beneficial use of water by riparian states. Tit-for-tat principles should not be at the cost of innocent civilians.
N.R. Jagannath,
Bengaluru
One hopes that the Prime Minister’s remark is yet another empty ‘poll promise’. Even before the formation of nations on this planet, nature was supreme for millennia. All natural resources found on this planet are to be shared and preserved. To say that no water would be sent to Pakistan is totally unacceptable. When the Amazon forest was burning, all nations prayed for it though many are not direct beneficiaries of it. Nature is supreme. Let not politics be brought into it.
T. Anand Raj,
Chennai
At election rallies, it is not surprising for politicians to make strange and outlandish promises. In this case, one must not stretch it to extremes. There is an Indus River treaty signed by India and Pakistan, according to which India is bound to release water to Pakistan. It is unfortunate that the top leader of this land is raising an emotive issue that concerns two countries just to win votes, while disregarding bilateral agreements.
Durga Prabhu,
Karangalpady, Mangaluru
