Lettes: Act against Pakistan

Apropos Mihir S Sharma’s column “Peacemakers’ courage” (Policy rules, January 12), it is wrong to say we have sanctified public outrage as the highest form of politics. Whether it is on corruption, inflation or violence against women, people’s anger was never about “politics” but the natural anger of the ruled for the rulers having crossed the limits of inefficiency in their basic responsibility of governance. Such anger needs no-one’s sanctification. There may be another such outburst if the political leadership continues with its 60-year-old policy with Pakistan. New Delhi pursued confidence-building measures with Pakistan even after the Mumbai terror attack, but Islamabad has responded with hostility all along. After Pakistan’s many ceasefire violations and the recent killing of two Indian soldiers, it is certainly time for India to stop registering “strong” protests, and take tough action against the nation. This doesn’t necessarily mean waging a full-fledged war, but stopping Track-II diplomacy and taking strategic non-military measures. New Delhi could also declare that in view of Islamabad’s attitude, the Sharm-el-Sheikh joint statement no more holds good. Also, India should suspend the liberal visa regime, cross-border trade and cricket for now.

M C Joshi Lucknow

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