Be responsible
De-radicalising those people in Sri Lanka who kill in the name of religion is something that has to come from the concerned community in that country (‘Fundamentalist truths’, May 12). Within any faith it is the interpretation of scriptures that has a degree of diversity. What is not allowed in any civilised society is the law of the jungle where violence is perpetrated against innocents.
Preventing violence is the state’s responsibility. Challenging any understanding or articulation of theology, which provides a cover for violence, is the responsibility of that religion’s scholars and leaders.
K.S. Jayatheertha,
On email.
The bombings on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka should make us all take note of the dangers of growing radicalisation of Muslim youth, and the fatal attraction for a caliphate by a section of the community, leading to extreme Wahhabism.
The terror attacks in Sri Lanka have given ample indication of the role played by sleeper cells in Kerala. Sadly, this is never acknowledged or admitted by the LDF and the UDF governments that have ruled in the state.
All concerned should resolve to root out terrorism. And the Muslim community should extend its wholehearted support to the endeavour.
K.V. Raghuram,
On email.
Your reporter has uncovered the story of the man who bombed Lanka. Poverty and lack of social identity are some of the serious challenges faced by people in several nations. The highlight of your story was Kattankudy’s demography and culture.
Most of the Muslim youth in Kattankudy had turned to radical preaching. The security forces in Sri Lanka should have sensed the trouble that was mounting.
Since this could happen anywhere in the world, governments across the world should be on their guard and work together to promote peace.
Shreyas B.S.,
On email.
I was surprised to see the picture of a smiling Zahran Hashim on your cover. Kindly do not publish such photos. If at all you want to show terrorists on the cover, show them in all their cruelty. Not with a smiling face.
S. Sridhar Babu,
On email.
My father and I have been avid readers of THE WEEK. Flipping through THE WEEK, every week, has become a ritual for my father. Your stories are so riveting and relevant.
But, I was not happy when I saw the cover photograph of Hashim. What has a terrorist done or achieved to be featured on the cover page of a magazine?
Today, there are so many honest and hardworking people who struggle to make a name for themselves, with the hope that one day they will be featured on the cover of India’s largest circulated magazine.
Shouldn’t the screening process for selecting cover images and stories be more robust? Shouldn’t your cover stories inspire people? What has a terrorist done to inspire anyone? I am a Christian, and seeing the man who orchestrated brutal killings on the cover page was downright insulting and extremely hurtful. It seemed like the lives that were lost did not matter to you.
Nitya Kumar,
On email.
India needs Iran
Mani Shankar Aiyar was spot on when he said why let the US bully us (‘Manifesto’, May 12). Yes, the US has no business to tell us where to buy oil from. India has had good relations with Iran, and we should not let other countries dictate to us.
India should speak up like Turkey and China and continue to import oil from Iran.
Tigin Thomas,
On email.
Shah’s army
I was surprised to know about the five-man army deployed by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to polarise Hindu votes (‘Divide and conquer’, May 12). Shah is a hard taskmaster who expects quick results. I think such planning will help the BJP a lot. What is interesting is that most of these politicians have been given state-specific tasks and there is clarity on what is expected from them. This is what is missing in the Congress.
Rajan Nair,
On email.
Keep politics away
It is sad that the defence forces are being slowly politicised these days. This can have serious repercussions (‘Last word’, May 12). We won the 1971 war because our Army was highly disciplined and motivated. We threw back the Pakistanis from Kargil in 1999 because our young officers led from the front.
Talking of politics in Army is a taboo. The day politics, sycophancy, and self enters Army, we will no longer be the finest army in the world.
So here is a warning to all—please keep politics away from this fine organisation, the pillar of our nation. Please do not play with well-established institutions and practices. Please respect and value the soldier and do not ‘use him’.
R.D. Singh,
On email.
Raghuram Rajan, next PM?
I read with great interest your interview with Raghuram Rajan, former RBI governor (April 14). If Manmohan Singh can enter politics and get elevated to the position of the prime minister, why cannot Rajan take a plunge? I am sure that Rajan will successfully ride the political waves and reach the pinnacle in due course of time. Time is certainly ripe for Rajan to play his cards cleverly and make a splash in the Indian political league.
Jyotiranjan Biswal,
Angul, Odisha.