As Australians, we apologise, Dr Haneef!
Sir, I am one among the tens of thousands of Australians who are outraged at the treatment meted out by our government to Dr Mohamed Haneef.
That may not seem like a large number. But in Australia, with its relatively small population, it is enough to make a difference. If not for the outspoken ones among us, Dr Haneef would still be in jail facing charges that have no real evidential base.
His treatment has been shameful to us, even more so when ultimately there was not enough evidence to proceed with any charges.
As the government of my country will never do so, I extend my deepest apologies to Dr Haneef and his family. I and many Australians think that Dr Haneef has been caught up in the play of politics in our country. Even though Dr Haneef has returned to his home the debate over the mismanagement of his case continues to be the lead story in most newspapers.
Lesley Campbell
Adelaide, Australia
Think about them
Sir, With the return of Dr Haneef from Australia, one fervently hopes that readers are relieved of reading the saga, going on ad nauseam in every section of the media.
The print and electronic media, which went berserk with this news, appears to be delightfully unconcerned about the thousands of under-trials who are languishing in Indian jails, some for decades, against whom even charges have not been framed and many more on mere suspicion!
Can we expect the same enthusiasm and commitment from the media, judiciary and the government for some of our own suffering countrymen?
Anand Sirur
Bangalore
Futile effort
Sir, I agree with the author of the letter Stop this drama (DH, July 31). Was there any need to treat Dr Haneef as some kind of a war hero?
This is just an individual who had been trapped in a foreign land due to unintentional mistakes on his part. Neither has any disrespect been shown to the Indian government. I also see no reason to offer him jobs just because of his current ordeal.
Offers of employment by the state government and his alma mater Dr B R Ambedkar Medical college to Dr Haneef are just efforts to share the limelight with him.
Pradeep
Bangalore
Political gimmick
Sir, I fully agree with the view that the Haneef issue was blown out of proportion. One fails to understand why such a fanfare was accorded on Haneef’s return to India. It was followed by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s promise to provide him government employment.
I wish such sympathy is not a political gimmick.
After all, as per the law of the land Dr Haneef was detained in custody on reasonable suspicion and when the suspicion  cleared he was released as being done in any country. The authorities concerned did not entangle him in a false case.
Mahadevan
Kumbal
Why the hoopla?
Sir, Dr Mohammed Haneef was detained by the Australian authorities on reasonable suspicion and evidence provided by their counter parts in Britain as being part of a terrorist group. After a prolonged and thorough inquiry no reasonable evidence was available regarding his complicity in terrorist activities and so has been released.
During detention he was treated fairly and according to Australian laws. Now what is all the fuss created by the news hungry print and electronic media? Why all the hoopla of “hero’s welcome” on his return?
K Venkataraman
Mumbai