A stumbling block

Sir, - Those of us who at times advocate holding of talks with Pakistan over Kashmir should ponder just one thing: What will Pakistan's demand be during the course of these talks, if held? Without the least doubt Pakistan, in essence, will harp on the same age-old story of plebiscite in Kashmir. Let no one have any illusions on this. Are we willing to concede this untenable demand?

Talks are always to be welcome but only if there is even the slightest meeting ground or possibility of any productive outcome. In any case, in the present context, India cannot allow itself to be bullied into holding of talks at the point of gun in the hands of militants, jehadis and saboteurs pushed by Pakistan into the Indian territory to kill innocent people and spread communal hatred.

It is the Pakistani mindset that is the stumbling block in the establishment of friendly relations between the two countries. The Pakistanis have not got over the euphoric world of Mohammed Ghauris, the Moors and the Mughals. They consider it their Allah- ordained right to rule this subcontinent as in a bygone era. Even if Kashmir is offered them on a platter they will find a hundred other bones to pick with India. They do not realise that India and Pakistan have more in common than most other regions in the world. Together we can work wonders for our poor people. Unfortunately there are powers that are happy to see us fighting forever to weaken us both. They lose no opportunity to prompt and provoke Pakistan against this country.

The Kashmir situation as we find it today is the product of half a century of inept handling, ad hocism, misrule, and misplaced idealism totally divorced from hard-core politics. All along Kashmir has been kept out of the mainstream of the national life, and a psyche of fear and separatism allowed to grow among the people, with an eye on the elections. It is a sad commentary on our policy-makers, polity and politicians who have displayed a total lack of vision, forthrightness and resolute action. The misfortune is that even now our national leaders are unable or unwilling to sit together, discuss and evolve a unified coherent policy on important issues such as Kashmir, but are perpetually wrangling over trivials in a sordid display of petty-mindedness and vote-bank politics. Disunity has proved our weakness in the past just as unity can be our greatest source of strength as has been proved time and again in a crisis.

Pakistan should not forget that India as a nation with a 5000- year-old civilisation has weathered untold turmoil, tribulation, death and destruction during its chequered history and held its own.

S. C. Kapoor,

Noida (UP)

Sir, - Mr. Kuldip Nayar has very sensibly put forth his argument in his `Opinion' (TheHindu, August 11) on New Delhi spurning the ceasefire offer made by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, without applying its mind.

He has also rightly put it that even though it was the Pakistan Government's indirect `initiative' (through Hizb), it should not have been turned down in haste, especially when the Pakistan Government has also been and continues to be a party to the Kashmir dispute for decades, whether one likes it or not. Mr. Nayar's view that Mr. L. K. Advani's harsh words do not serve any purpose and that New Delhi is unnecessarily restricting its options, will be shared by many peace-loving people in both the countries. The result is, because of such obduracy and obstinacy on both the sides, so many innocent lives are needlessly sacrificed.

R. Ramasubramanian,

Coimbatore (TN)

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