sentinelgroup@gmail.com
Applauding India’s firm response
I write this letter to strongly applaud the Government of India’s swift and bold response following the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J&K. The immediate closure of the Wagah border and, most significantly, the decision to place the Indus Water Treaty under abeyance reflect a resolute and much-needed shift in our national security posture.
It is evident that India will face international pressure for such a move, but we, as citizens, must remain steadfast and support our government's decision. There should be no space for compromise when national security is at stake. This is not merely a reaction but a firm message to Pakistan and its proxies that India will no longer tolerate the cost of restraint.
It is the right time; India must explore every economic and diplomatic domain to isolate and expose Pakistan’s real face before the global community. Let this be a lesson, not just to Pakistan, but to every hostile neighbour that India’s patience should never be mistaken for weakness. We Indians must remain united and unwavering, ensuring that such tragic incidents do not recur.
Kaustav Jit Bora
(jitkaustav@gmail.com)
Pahalgam attack: India’s response and its impact
I'm still trying to process the news from Kashmir. The terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam is just heartbreaking. 27 lives lost, including a foreign tourist. It's a stark reminder of the challenges we face in the Valley. What's even more disturbing is that this attack came when the US Vice President was visiting India and PM Modi was in Saudi Arabia. It's like they're trying to disrupt our diplomatic efforts. Security agencies released the sketches of three men suspected to be involved in the terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, near Pahalgam in south Kashmir. The men, all three Pakistanis, are Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha, officials said. PM Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia trip due to the terror attack and left for India ahead of schedule. This tragic incident came when India was benefiting from the trade war between the US and China .
In my view this terror attack was planned by Pakistan to mislead India because India is gaining so much profit from the US-China trade war. Due to the tariff imposed by the USA , companies are leaving China and are searching for a better option to set up their business and manufacturing. There is a high possibility that many companies will come to India, which will benefit India economically. If companies come to India and set up their business, it will generate jobs and can also make the "Make in India" programme successful. But if India gets involved in any kind of war-like situation with any country, companies may not choose India to set up their business, due to which India will lose the opportunity to become a manufacturing hub like China, and Pakistan wants that.
From my perspective, India should not be involved in war with Pakistan, especially when we are getting so many opportunities to become a manufacturing hub. In response, India has taken a slew of decisions, and one of the boldest moves is that India suspends the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. With this, the water supply from the Indus River and its distributaries – the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj – will be stopped. These rivers are the water supply for Pakistan and impact tens of millions of people in that country. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960. The pact was signed between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank brokering the agreement. That treaty withstood three wars between India and Pakistan – in 1965, 1971, and 1999 – but is now suspended indefinitely. According to the agreement, India has control over the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—while Pakistan gets the waters from the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The treaty benefits Pakistan, as it receives about 80% of the total water flow from these rivers, which are vital for agriculture in Pakistan, especially in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. The suspension of the Indus water treaty will impact Pakistan's water requirements and agricultural sector. The treaty allows Pakistan to use 80% of total water flow from these rivers, but after suspension of this treaty, the Indian government will decide how much water will be used by Pakistan. The agricultural sector contributes 23% to Pakistan's national income. Pakistan depends on this water supply for irrigation, farming and portable water. The suspension of the Indus water treaty will impact Pakistan's agricultural sector, which is a crucial component of its economy. The low water availability may lead to water scarcity , food shortages and economic instability in the country. Pakistan is already facing critical water management issues, and after this, it will severely impact the nation. In my opinion, the Indian government's decision to avoid getting involved in war and to respond in a calculated, firm manner is a very intelligent move. In another move, all military advisers of Pakistan in India are declared as persona non grata (an unwelcome person). The defence, military, naval, and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India. Further Pakistani nationals have been banned from travelling to India under SAARC-exempt visas. Any Pakistani nationals in India under these visas have 48 hours to leave the country. This will impact the Pakistani students residing in India. This move of India to retaliate by not being involved in war is very intelligent. If we see the terror attack, we will notice that only Hindus were killed. After this incident, all Indians must strongly stand with the government, forgetting their caste, language and religion. Jai Hind.
Mriganka Bonia
North Lakhimpur, Assam
Pakistanis leave India
Several Pakistani nationals visiting India started returning home through the Attari-Wagah land route in Amritsar on Thursday, April 24, a day after the Centre set a 48-hour deadline for them to leave the country. The Centre on Wednesday announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of the cross-border links to the horrific terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, killing 30 civilians and injuring many on Tuesday. As per government order, Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES), and any Pakistani national currently in India under the SVES visa scheme had 48 hours to leave the country, failing which they will be jailed.
Bhagwan Thadani
(bhagwan_thadani@yahoo.co.in)
Sensitive approach of SC towards the disabled
The Supreme Court said that comedian Samay Raina's use of particular words against persons with disabilities was "disturbing", as the government enacted the Disability Acts of 1993 and 2016 to safeguard their rights. The Disability Act of 2016 includes a five-year punishment for violations of the Act.
It is for information that an NGO approached the Supreme Court assailing certain insensitive remarks made by comedian Samay Raina in relation to persons with disabilities, and during the show, Raina ridiculed a high-cost treatment option for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in the case of a 2-month-old child, and in another instance, he ridiculed a blind and cross-eyed person. Just a few months ago, cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh insulted the disabled children. Then an NGO lodged a police complaint against them.
It is also mentionable that the maximum age of such a patient is five years, as per the information available in the media, and the injection is required from age 2, and to prepare one injection, ten years are consumed, and in the recent past, six injections were imported, and the government exempted the import duty also.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh heard the plea today and told Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh (appearing for the Foundation) to file a comprehensive petition, impleading all concerned individuals who made such remarks and suggesting measures.
The court made the following observations which show how sensitive the Supreme Court's approach was towards disabled people. "This is a very, very serious issue. We are really disturbed to see that. We would like [you] to place on record the instances also. If you have video clippings along with a transcript, bring them. Implead the concerned persons. Also suggest measures ... Then we will see," said Justice Kant.
Following this, M/s Cure SMA Foundation filed an application seeking impleadment in the matter. The application stated that the existing regulatory framework requires adequate and explicit protections to protect persons with disabilities from 'disabling humour', which denigrates, demeans and disparages persons with disabilities, while at the same time not restricting disability humour which challenges conventional wisdom about disability.
The Foundation raised concerns about the misuse of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution by various stakeholders, including publishers of online curated content, news, self-styled influencers and content creators. The government should come forward for the help of such patients.
Yash pal ralhan
(ralhan.yashpal@gmail.com)
Never forget, never forgive
The recent Lashkar-linked terrorist attack on a group of tourists in Pahalgam's paradise on Earth – the Baisaran Valley, known as the "Mini Switzerland" of Kashmir – has shocked and saddened every Indian. Once again, Kashmir, known for its unparalleled scenic beauty and serene landscapes, has become a battleground between forces of violence and peace and prosperity seekers. The recent dastardly and cowardly attack, targeting innocent civilians, was designed with the sole aim of destabilising the valley apart from creating fear, division and uncertainty among the local population. It must be admitted by every citizen of India that terrorism in Kashmir is not just a regional issue but a national one and also an acid test of the nation's unity to defend its sovereignty. While the government and security forces are at the forefront of this 'Do Or Die' battle, at the same time, we, the common citizens, must stand united and keep ears and eyes open against those who live within our country and praise enemy nations, who are the biggest enemy of Mother India. The fight against terrorism is a fight against anti-national forces. The need of the hour is for every individual to stand united in condemning terrorism and rejecting the ideologies that fuel it. The path for building a future of peace, stability and prosperity in Kashmir is indeed a challenging one, but with a strong spirit of national unity, resilience, unwavering determination and a more coherent strategy, India can definitely overcome the forces of terrorists who seek to divide and destroy the country, especially Kashmir.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Entire country stands united
It is very sad and shocking to hear the news from Kashmir, but we should desist from spreading inflammatory messages and photographs. We all stand for a strong united India, strong enough to crush the terrorism. Let us strengthen the hands of the government and condemn such acts. Terror attacks and resorting to violence is an act of cowardice and needs to be condemned in no uncertain terms. The entire country stands united against terror. We share a deep resolve to defeat these divisive and violent forces. We need to work to build a broad social consensus against terror that exists across the border. It is imperative that the safety of our citizens is ensured and peace is restored in the region on a war footing to bring confidence to the locals and the tourists.
Akhilesh Krishnan
(akhilamami@gmail.com)