Letters to Frontline-IV

Bihar {Frontline, November5, 2010}
This is with reference to the article “Battle for Bihar” {October8}. Politics in Bihar underwent unfortunate changes after the defeat of the Jaggannath Mishra led regimes in the 1990 election. There was despair in the state for one and a half decades under the Lalu Yadav-Rabri Devi regime. Today, optimism is high because of the pleasant outcome in the past five years. The state of affairs is not yet ideal, but improvement from here on will be easier than it would have been five years back. The next five years are going to be make or break for Bihar.


Kashmir {Frontline, October 8, 2010}
In the article “First Steps” {September 24}, the author suggests a peaceful, autonomous Kashmir within the Indian Union. It is a positive model that should at least be considered. I also agreed with the Views expressed in the article on historical decisions such as the imposition of Article 370 and the appointment of a Governor in place of the Sadr-e-Riyasat.

However, I have reservations about the view in the article on the role of separatist and pro-Pakistani forces: Syed Ali Shah Geelani does not seem to realize the consequences of Kashmir leaving the Indian Union. Creation of an Islamic buffer state would not only pose a serious threat to India’s national security but would also devastate the strategic scenario of South Asia.

Throughout its history, Kashmir remained untouched by religious biases. Any political foul play to change its social fabric would be unfortunate. How can separatists be considered worthy of the peoples trust when they have always purchased their own vested interest?

Atul Kumar Thakur
December 28, 2010, Tuesday
Sahibabad {Ghaziabad}
atul_mdb@rediffmaail.com