Opinion

We should exercise our options with pragmatism instead of traditional rivalry, for a long term solution to the festering Kashmir imbroglio.


The dust has settled on the Mumbai Mayhem with no concrete clues about the perpetrators of the crime. We have been experiencing terrorist attacks with unfailing regularity and have been merely lamenting lack of determined steps to tackle the problem effectively and permanently. One message being hammered home ad-nauseum is that our governments have not dealt with this problem, just to appease the minority vote banks. Scapegoats are convenient targets for helpless minds and the minorities in India have come to bear the brunt of frustration for too long now. It is not fair game at all. Although everyone seems to be dissatisfied by the way the situation has been handled all along, no one is able to say how the problem should actually be approached. What is the lesson that should be taught to the perpetrators of terrorist attacks and their supporters once and for all? What is that one bold step that has not been taken so far and which if taken will end this menace for all time to come? Does it lie in following the present example of Israel and crossing over into Pakistan and destroying all the terrorist camps there? Or is it by resorting to large scale shelling and bombing of all the suspected sites? Our armed forces are immensely capable of doing both. But what about the repercussions? Not local, but international. Will Uncle Sam and the ‘selectively powerless’ UN look the other way as they are now doing in the case of Israel and its handling of the terrorist problem? Will the big powers like France, Britain, China and Japan which have so far not done anything to dissuade unilateral military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon continue to extend us the same courtesy of non-interference in our handling of our terrorist problem too? It is not the appeasement of minorities which is the cause of all this inaction, but the fear of international reactions that will portray our legitimately defensive actions as military acts that can disturb regional peace. Most importantly, the same America which espouses the importance of a terrorism-free world and is being so indulgent in the case of Israel will step in within no time to stop our actions. The saddest part about our plight is that we have to perforce fear and respect this superpower which itself respects no international order and therefore should not deserve this servitude. If this is not true, then why was cross-border terrorism, which was just as alive during the BJP rule, not crushed once and for all, using our military might? The BJP had nothing to fear from Muslims and minorities as it did not bank upon their votes. When it is the majority that always runs governments, why blame the minority for the government inaction? Countrymen could rest assured that the minorities are equally patriotic and will not be found wanting when you decide to defend the nation. To deny peace, safety, comfort and self respect to ninety per cent of Indians just to keep a mere ten per cent happy is not only illogical, but downright shameful. A government indulging in this kind of appeasement does not deserve to be forgiven. While examining our options for preventing terrorist attacks, citing the example of how America has effectively thwarted them after 9/11 by a greatly stepped up surveillance, is not pertinent either. Although we have adequate military capabilities we do not have the resources or high level of internal alertness to keep a sustained level of vigilance to prevent terrorist attacks. What then is the solution for all the grief, pain, suspicion and mistrust that has crept into our society? Is all this worthy of being endured time and again, just to seem symbolically tough? Ask the now orphaned children and aged parents of all those who died last month. Despite all the verbal volleys that we fire at each other regularly, both nations have grave economic problems and can ill-afford a war now or in the near future and therefore lasting peace is our only option. And if it is so important we should examine and exercise our options with pragmatism instead of traditional rivalry for a long term solution to the festering Kashmir imbroglio by meaningful dialogue and mutually acceptable adjustments. We can have no peace of mind till we decide to forgive and forget a little. Just as we demonstrated elasticity and pragmatism with China in dealing about our long-standing occupation of territory, we can be a little flexible in our confrontation with Pakistan too. Patriotism of those advocating this approach should not be doubted. Not one bit less than those who tear their hair out and scream that someone either innocent or guilty must be punished and made to suffer for the sins of a few misguided ones. Let us buy peace, although by paying a small price for it. Peace of mind is then bound to follow. If we keep green boughs in our hearts the singing birds will soon come.


(The writer can be reached at kjnmysore@rediffmail.com)