Apropos of ‘The Great Game continues’ (Nous Indica), over the years Afghanistan has turned to be too complex an imbroglio — born out of the clash of ‘titans’. The fast-percolating jihadi extremism is a global challenge to be squarely dealt with overcoming parochial interests by all countries. The Indian EAM is in competent hands striving at international fora to de-link religion from terror and annihilate the latter for good. It is time to rekindle the spirit of the Magna Carta, though now only commercial interests rule the roost in foreign policy across the globe. India would do well to negotiate with the Taliban.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Tackling Taliban

Apropos of ‘The Great Game continues’, negotiations with the Taliban are not easy. Worldwide, women are outdoing men in all male bastions, right from sports to scientific, political and economic fields. The right organisation to secure respectful existence for women in Taliban-ruled territories is the UN. It is the duty of the UN to tackle the Taliban and make them conscientiously responsive to the humane aspects of live and let live.

KL Noatay, Kangra

Negotiating with Taliban

Apropos of ‘The Great Game continues,’ the recent withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan is a positive development for India's Afghanistan policy. It should take advantage of the situation by talking to the willing leaders of the Taliban for doing business and setting up consulates etc., as India has also invested heavily in creating infrastructure in Afghanistan. After so much war and bloodshed in the past three decades, Afghanistan needs peace. The legendary Sahir Ludhianvi had aptly said, ‘Jang toh khud hi ek masla hai, jang kya maslaun ka hal deghi.’

Gurpreet Singh, Mohali

Colonial-era law

Kudos to Chief Justice NV Ramana for upbraiding the callous government for the blatant misuse of the sedition law. The present dispensation has no regard for human liberty, democratic institutions and is using the law to silence dissent. Our only hope is the judiciary. The Supreme Court should take suo motu notice and declare these outdated laws as unlawful.

Bakhshi Gurprit Singh, Jalandhar

It’s not sedition

Apropos of ‘Colonial-era sedition law being misused, is it still needed, asks SC’, the latest brazen misuse of this law by the Sirsa police, justified by Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij, was witnessed recently when a large group of farmers surrounded the car of the Deputy Speaker of Haryana Assembly and damaged the windscreen. The farmers were charged under Section 307 (intention to kill) and Section 124 (sedition). The farmers had no right to surround the car and vandalise it and deserved to be punished under the relevant sections of the IPC. But charging under Section 124A is not even remotely connected to the incident and confirms the fear of the Supreme Court in respect of the misuse of this law. The charges would probably be struck down by the courts, but the victims will have to struggle and spend a lot of money to get acquitted. Unfortunately, the courts only acquit the victim but do not punish the police officer who arrested the innocent person under the sedition provision.

RN Malik, Gurugram

Flawless performer

Apropos of ‘Dadi’, whose grand smile never…’, the sudden passing away of a consummated thespian, Surekha Sikri, whose nuanced acting skills and intense yet elegance-personified aesthetics enlivened Delhi theatre in the 1970s with her pitch-perfect performances, has left a void. A three-time national awardee, the veteran actor will always be remembered for her unforgettable roles in Mammo, Tamas, and more recently, Badhai Ho. Who can erase from memory the role of Dadisa she essayed in the soap opera Balika Vadhu? Her two other much-talked-about plays, Aadhe Adhure and Sandhya Chhaya earned her the endearing sobriquet of a peerless performer.

Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh

Political alignments

Former ministers Navjot Singh Sidhu and Anil Joshi started their political career with the BJP. Sidhu is said to have mentored Joshi in 2007. Their relationship changed when Arun Jaitley was given the ticket by the BJP from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in 2014. Sidhu later joined the Congress and became an MLA from the Amritsar East constituency and got the portfolio held by Joshi. Both are outspoken and critics of their seniors. Both are being praised by the Aam Aadmi Party. Joshi has been expelled by the BJP. Will the guru and chela join AAP?

Prem Parkash Punj, Amritsar

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