The use of violence and intimidation to achieve political ends is on the increase because those in authority quickly come to conclusions that there is no rationality in the requests or demands in non-violent agitations staged by the protagonists of a cause. These often develop into bitter struggles and entail violence.

A compromise is not beyond human ingenuity. It could always be reached if the parties concerned have sincerity and willingness.

Arms manufacturers and dealers have a great stake in these mini-wars and their marketing strategy is to keep all problems unsolved like beggars who keep their sores festering. This is tantamount to rocking the cradle and while pinching the baby in it. Politicians in their own interest, both financial and power, adopt this modus operandi too.

The simple truth that should be realised is that every problem has a cause. If the cause is removed or well taken care of then the problem can be solved.

If all our methods and actions were tempered with our religious belief many of these violent methods would not arise.

Violence is not advocated in any of our religions and the clergy and educational institutions should highlight this fact to all age groups.

Unless this is done the future is indeed going to be bleak. As a retired Chief Justice of India mentioned in a lecture recently that what is happening now both here and his country is "criminalisation of politicians and politicisation of criminals".

E. Sabaretnam,
Rajagiriya.