Not geopolitical tension alone
What happened on April 22 was not simply “India and Pakistan fighting yet again” but a deliberate massacre by terrorists of innocent tourists after sorting them based on gender and religion.
Hindu men were targeted and murdered with precision simply because of their religion. While India and Pakistan have fought on many occasions, it is inaccurate to assume that this is because of inherent differences rather than based on unacceptable actions.
While there have been historical periods of tension and trauma between Muslim and Hindu communities in the subcontinent – particularly exacerbated by colonial powers that sought to exploit discord for their own gain – India has been a secular democracy since the devastating partition of India in 1947.
Muslims and Hindus have worked together, gone to school together, laughed together, and they grieved together following the horrific attack on their own people by terrorist insurgents on April 22.
Hindu traditions encourage mutual respect and peaceful coexistence no matter their religion. However, Hindus on the subcontinent have been victims of anti-Hindu violence, including the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide, the ethnic cleansing of indigenous Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, and the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai.
We have many folks from the Asian subcontinent living in Los Altos. Our community has always been a safe and open place to thrive and build our families. As our neighbors and friends deal with this horrific crime back home, we can give them a hug and hear their thoughts.
Sri Madhavi Cholleti
Los Altos Hills
Stop the moving violations
I have walked the main roads and the paths in Los Altos Hills for several years now. My observation of the traffic, bicycles, motorcycles and cars: they over-speed and mostly treat the stop signs as decorative suggestions. I counted stops at a couple of intersections on Burke and on Robleda. Fewer than one in 10 actually stopped. Bicyclists never stopped.
I hope the ALRs can put some fear of moving violation tickets in these drivers.
Azmat Malik
Los Altos
