Sir — This refers to the article, “Sikhs besieged in Kashmir valley” (May 15) by Hari Om.
New Delhi is to also be blamed for the present crisis there, because it overlooked the disruptive, extremist religious tendencies that were gaining ground in the valley. The Pandits with their bitter experience of persecution and human rights violation, preferred exodus over death, and consequently live as refugees in their own country.
The Sikh community, no doubt, displayed great courage in not abandoning their homes and hearth in the valley in the face of tremendous threats. And, now the Sikhs too are not being spared, as the article suggests.
Reports about kidnapping of Sikh girls and forced conversion are disturbing and need to be thoroughly investigated and severely dealt with. Else, we will again be mute witnesses to the entire fabric of secularism being ripped beyond repair in the valley, as it has happened before.