Dear Atalji, you know that despite disagreeing with your party's agenda I have always had great affection and respect for you. After the Pokhran-II blasts, though my affection remains as strong as before, my respect for you has abated. I think you have erred and allowed yourself to be guided by people lacking in wisdom and foresight. Before I spell out my reasons for saying so, I would like you and your colleagues to know that they do not enjoy a monopoly over patriotism. I and people who share my views love our country as much as they. It is primarily for this reason that I make bold to question your judgement.
From the sequence of events it is evident that exploding these nuclear devices was on your agenda when you assumed office as prime minister. George Fernandes's gratuitously provocative speeches against China and L.K. Advani's bellicose utterances against Pakistan are ample proof that our leaders no longer spoke the language of Bapu Gandhi and were eager to display India's muscle power to the Chinese and Pakistanis. This did not raise the prestige of our country in the eyes of the world. On the contrary, it diminished our stature.
... After the 1974 blast and the missiles our scientists were able to put in space, it was common knowledge that we were capable to delivering lethal blows on neighbours hostile to us. There was no pressing need for us to demonstrate once again that we had enhanced our nuclear capabilities.
It must also be borne in mind that Pakistan also had the capability of doing us immense damage. They have nuclear devices and long-range missiles. China has more of both than we. Neither they nor we need more. All three of us remain desperately poor, undernourished, illiterate and under-employed. We should divert our energies towards improving the quality of life with our limited resources, not on displaying military might. It does not impress anyone.
We agree with you that the nuclear powers have no justification whatsoever in pointing accusing fingers at us after having indulged in similar exercises themselves -least of all Pakistan which has shamelessly abetted terrorist activity in our country. We have a sacred duty to fight terrorists to the finish and, if necessary, exercise our right of hot pursuit into Pakistani territory when terrorists kill innocent Indians and fire across the border.
But we do not want war with Pakistan. Pakistan does not want war with us. It is for you to see that such a catastrophe does not take place while you are at the helm of the nation's affairs. You only triggered off a nuclear arms race in the sub-continent. it was a blunder of Himalayan proportions.