Launch a joint jihad against terrorism

Sir, The Moulana of the famous and most popular Islamic institution in the country, Darul-uloom of Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, deserves the gratitude of all peace loving people for his condemnation of terrorism as it is totally against the basic mandate of Islam. Violence in any form is un-Islamic as well as anti-Islamic. As per the basic principles of Islam, jihad has a positive and humanistic connotation.

No Hindu leader has held the entire Muslim society responsible for creating and promoting terrorists. But unfortunately, it is true that terrorists other than ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) and Maoists are Muslims. These individuals and their networks should be attacked. There should be an impartial enquiry and if found guilty, they should be sentenced without any delay. Muslims and Hindus should jointly launch another jihad to wipe out terrorism.

Mumtaz Ali Khan
Bangalore

Illegal move

Sir,

The Tamil Nadu government’s move to construct a drinking water project and a power generation project at the controversial Hogenakal falls is illegal as per the final verdict of the Cavuery tribunal. It is alleged that the Tamil Nadu government has been making efforts to occupy this property at Hogenakal in Kollegal taluk.

As per the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Committee (SRC) Hogenakal forms part of Karnataka. But Tamil Nadu is trying to include Hogenakal in their jurisdiction by setting up a hotel and guest house there. The State Advocate General should inform the Supreme Court to retain the same in Karnataka.

R Prahlada Rao
Bangalore

Lalu-Velu budget

Sir,

The railway budget has given a short shrift to Karnataka. Interconnectivity within the state has received negligible attention and importance. There are many high density routes which would have helped passengers within the State. It is undoubtedly a “Lalu-Velu” budget. R Velu, Minister of State for Railways, has to be applauded for his efforts on behalf of Tamil Nadu. We wish our representatives had similar zeal. Karnataka has a grand total of 53 kms of new lines, as per reports. Other projects are either speculatory or gauge conversion.

H N Ramakrishna
Bangalore

Proud budget

Sir,

The passenger-friendly budget presented by Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has made passengers proud. The profits of the organisation have been shared with its customers and passengers, which has helped in bringing down the fares.

The minister has helped promotion of higher education by providing free season tickets to students. Several new trains, new stations and better facilities through the e-world has been well-planned by the minister through his budget. 

Narayan B Iyer
Mumbai

Target voters

Sir,

This is with reference to the your editorial (DH, Feb 27), it is difficult to run down the railway budget presented by minister Lalu Prasad. He has been mindful of pandering to virtually every segment of society and industry, and has done so bearing in mind that assembly elections are scheduled in various states this year.

From jobs, to fare concession, to welfare schemes for railway employees to populist announcements for train passengers, the budget had every element to lure its target voters – SCs, STs, minorities, women and the aam aadmi.

J S Acharya
Hyderabad