Kanishka verdict

• The acquittal of the two main accused, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, ...

• The acquittal of the two main accused, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, in the Kanishka case has come as a shock to the relatives of the victims all over the world. No one was expecting this verdict. Many of the relatives had came to Vancouver with the hope that the verdict would be against Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri. The relatives were right to say that the accused have made a mockery of the Canadian justice system and the verdict is a victory for terrorism in Canada. Justice has not only been delayed but also denied in this case. The Canadian government must now at least convene a
public inquiry on the issue.

— Mohd. Mudassir Alam Aligarh

• The recent verdict is not only unacceptable but also suggests that Canada and some other countries have become a haven for extremist elements. It is sad to note that the world’s first air terrorist attack has gone unpunished. Wonder if the same verdict would have been passed if it was an American aircraft that was involved and not an Indian one. May the Kanishka family have peace!

— Anand Venkatachalam Minneapolis

• The Kanishka crash was an extreme example of cruel and ghastly terrorism. The Vancouver Court’s judgment was an utter disappointment. Judge Josephson understood all, but still chose to give the “benefit to doubt”. Perhaps it is an example of extremely unprofessional handling of evidence. We can only console ourselves that God will punish the guilty.

— F.S.K. Barar Jodhpur

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• I am surprised at the stand taken by the entire country on the Kanishka verdict. How can we assume that Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri were the culprits behind the 1985 bombing when the evidence could not establish it? The courts have to explore and uphold the truth, their findings and verdicts have to be accepted as truth by society or else the foundation on which they function would be undermined.

— Gaurav Dua Delhi

The why of the issue

• C. Raja Mohan, as an experienced observer, has offered various options and demands that India can/should make from US. It would have been better if he had also spelt out why US would want to oblige India (‘Soar above F-16s’, IE, March 17).

— Atul London

UPA vs NDA

• Politics must reflect ground realities, not imaginary sainthood. The UPA is hugely above the NDA in vote percentages (more than 10 per cent) in Jharkhand (and even in Bihar for that matter). If not the multiple split in vote, the victory in Jharkhand would have been even higher than in Haryana. BJP, by physically capturing the MLAs, outsmarted the UPA, setting a very dangerous precedent in the process.

— M. Vijaykumar Bangalore

• Apropos of the editorial, ‘Hold Advani to his word’ (IE, March 17), L.K. Advani will keep his word. Please see his track record. If the Congress stops bringing down governments, a la Goa, playing dirty in Jharkhand, and so on, I am sure things will improve. Please note that Congress is in power and it is for them to make the first move. I have always seen double-standards from the English
media when dealing with BJP and Congress.

— Subodh Prabhu Auckland