For a long time I tried to find logic in terrorism. I used to think that this was because of poverty. Then I thought that it was oppression that caused it. I really thought that be it India or Israel there must be something wrong that the armed forces must be doing that caused it. Then there was a parochialism of fighting for their own rights and country. After 9-11 it became a war of ideology and civilization. I am not sure about it anymore.
India has been probably the worst victim of terrorism in last 2 decades. We have always been a soft target because as people and as a race we always have been very accommodating.
Also, if you look at a history our borders have always been very porous since the days of Alexander. Since those times there have been various attempts to infiltrate into India. Another thing, in the olden days, historians point out is that the wars in India were normally amongst armies and civilian population really didn't care about it. Even in mythology when Kauravs were fighting against Pandavas, there were armies supporting one side or the other. They were from as far as present day China and Turkmenistan. However, there is very little reference of people's reaction in both Hastinapur or Indraprastha. This used to be kind of detachment from nationalism. It didn't matter to people much who ruled them. They loved good kings and hated bad ones but rarely they took up arms themselves.
As far as the border areas are concerned, it took a lot of skirmishes and almost 300 years of fight to get into Sindh for Islamic armies and capture Raja Dillu's capital near Karachi. It took 7 tries and many a wars by Ghauri to get to Prthaviraj Chauhan's Delhi. It took Babar almost 15 years to reach Delhi. Even during the British 'Raj' the Baluch and the NWFP were never fully in control. Half of British Army actually went in controlling those areas. So the skirmishes on the borders were always a norm. This kind of activity used to happen only on borders but now as world becomes a smaller place these terrorists get deep into enemy territories.
Another thing to look at in larger concept is that we are a very big nation and idea of nationalism in India is a very recent phenomenon. Nationalism has its own positives and negatives built into it. The positives are that it becomes harder to divide a country based religion, caste, language or ideology. However the negatives could be that our people can become far more aggressive and parochial in their approach towards other races, religion and countries. This parochialism can only go away when we have an encompassing nature. We have always welcomed anyone who wanted to be a part of this land, this tradition of open arms to accept people who are different than us should continue.
Historians say that this nationalism was created by the attitude of Britishers towards Indians. They treated us as one people and ruled as one entity. On the Indian end, most of our leader (barring Muslim League) was convinced that whole of India from now Afghan border of Pakistan to Burma and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari we were one nation and one people. But they was also aware of the fluidity of Indian borders. Nehru, Maulana Azad and company even thought that the existence of Pakistan was an unnatural state and the cultural ties would one day bring it back into the fold of larger India. However, for people born after the independence Pakistan was a reality and for most of their life, a hostile reality.
This attack was different, it really wasn't a terrorist attack, it was almost a war like feeling to it. I think that there are two reasons for the reaction that has been in India, A serious resolve with middle class to take on politicians to put our house in order. If you look at it there are basically four parties involved here. India, Pakistan, Terrorists and Other countries with lost men (US, UK, Israel and Australia)
In my eyes here is what each of them can do and should do to prevent such an attack.
Other Countries:
What was weird is that these terrorists came to India and targeted foreign nationals specifically. Why would someone come to India and kill a young Jewish Rabbi. If you have so much of problem then please go and be a suicide bomber in Israel. Only cowards kill this way. As far as all these countries are concerned, I think they should put enormous pressure on Pakistan, this could be diplomatic or economic. I think at least the US and the UK have been doing that. UK's language has been pretty tough, PM Brown also claimed that 75% of all terrorist attacks can be traced back to Pakistan. Is this the new world order speaking OR killing of Britishers is making them say that. Such rhetoric was never seen when only Indians were dying.
India:
Get our house in order as far as city security is concerned. NSG (National Security Guard) was built for such an attack, however, it took them 4 hours to get to Mumbai. We need Police reforms badly. Not only our Police Laws are archaic but also our police needs good equipment. How can we have bullet proof jackets which do not stop bullets. We need a comprehensive approach to stop infiltration. All armed forces, Police and intelligence agency should have a proper handshake for this to happen.
Second, most important thing India should look to stop alienation of minorities. India has done a commendable job till now, however, we can't sit on our past laurels.
Third, I do not think that military option is a sane one. We are not war mongers and we shouldn't attack. If you look from a 10000 ft. level, this attack wanted India to do exactly that. They wanted India to threaten Pakistan overtly and show more attacking gestures. What this would have done is that whole of Pakistan would have rallied against India and Pakistan would have been forced to move its armed forces towards Indian border. This would have helped terrorists take more control on the western border of Pakistan. I am so glad that Indian politicians have kept themselves away from this kind of populism.
Fourth, Even when we know that we shouldn't attack Pakistan we need to make sure that economic and political pressure is kept up on Pakistan to take action properly against these organizations which operate from their soil. However, India should be aware that Pakistan's economy is in total mess, its almost a bankrupt nation and pushing economic clout could ruin it economically and which in turn might result in collapsing of the State. This would be worse for India, hence the right balance needs to be maintained.
Fifth: Politicians, please wake up. The day when people in Mumbai were still held up, I was standing in a long queue to cast my vote for the state elections in MP. I am sure many people who were disgusted by the horrors of Mumbai were also present in that queue. However we all wanted to do our bit. Please don't let the democracy in us die.
Pakistan:
Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein's Monster to show the horrors of science, however, the real world is worse than that. Here a monster doesn't go to the north pole and burns itself in self loathing. Here, not only it kills the creator but also damages everything that we hold close of humanity.
Amongst all players, the most that anyone should do is Pakistan. Not for India's sake but for itself. Terrorist organizations end up causing more damage to their creator than to the intended target.
However, I do not want to be in President Zardari's shoes. I actually pity the man. This is what we call being caught between the devil and the deep sea. Only problem is that devil here is not India but the terrorists.
Still, Pakistan should act swiftly and smartly to remove these people. Even if it comes at a cost of loosing populist or being seen as pro India.
In the larger view, if Pakistan is not able to control these terrorists the security situation in the whole area would be in deep deep trouble. Al Qaeda and Talibans are already touching and threatening Peshawar. If Pakistani army starts to loose control over the area it would be a big risk to stability and sovereignty of Pakistan.
The real problem for Pakistani establishment is that there seems to be no single sense of direction that the country wants to take. All its elements wants a different Pakistan. It's political establishment wants a democratic Pakistan where these politicians can make money and fill their pockets. Military itself is divided into two sections, the liberals and the Talibanised ones. The liberal want power at the center but at the same time maintain the professionalism of the force. The Islamists or the Talibanised ones want to help the Talibans but have no long term goal. This was clearly shown through the murder of General Alvi, who was supposed to be one of the cleanest officers. The ISI, probably the worst of the culprits is an Anti Indian organization, its power comes from being anti Indian and hence it would never let its power slip. The media again is divided into two sections one which wants to rise up and show the truth and second which drives its sales up by being anti Indian. The people are divided into few strata. The rich dont care, the poor can't care and unlike India the real people who matter, the middle and the upper middle classes, do not want to care.
Sadly, someone should do something and NOW.
Terrorists:
Why man, why? What do they gain? Any idea?
Gandhi Ji's favorite song was
vaishnav jan to tene kahiye jay peerh paraaye janneyray
par dukkhey upkar karey teeyey, man abhiman na anney ray
which translates into
The real God's child, feels and understands the pain of others
Does good to who are in misery and yet does not let pride enter his mind
Can some one please tell this to anyone who fights in the name of God and religion.
Amongst all this gloom there have been a silver lining, Indian Muslims. Not the first time but however first time in recent past, Indian Muslims have come out in large numbers criticizing the attacks and vehemently rejecting terrorism. From small gestures of wearing black armbands on Eid in memory of people we have lost to big things like rejecting the government's request to give land for the burial of the terrorists. They were categorical, any man who kills another human being is not a Muslim and how can we give our motherland for the burial of men who took our brothers away from us. Well done, don't make these terrorists martyrs.
At the end the song that has become the anthem for 26/11. This has become a grieving nation's salute to the men and woman who have laid down their lives to save many others.
Ek Lau Is Tarah ...
No comments:
Post a Comment