Tensions are running high between India and Pakistan with both countries indulging in war preparedness.. there is tough talk between both countries.. India is trying to mount international pressure on Pakistan to bring the terrorists to justice… while Pakistan is showing no real intent to crack down on the terrorists.
This remains the scenario almost one month after the attack… whatever happens, the loss of lives to so many innocent citizens, the state of the families torn attack by the heinous attacks.. all this can never ever be changed.
I only hope that the country emerges united, putting behind communal and regional differences. This year’s seen many shameful incidents, like the Orissa riots, the Raj Thackeray sponsored Mumbai violence.. highlighting the divides running in our society. That many Indian Muslims feel estranged from the nation, feel left out of the economic development and mainstream India is irrefutable. I read one article by an eminent Muslim who pointed out how Muslims have been voting out of fear all these years, and how they have to start voting for development. That there are many Hindu fanactics who indulge in mindless violence against other communities, is another shame.
It is time we shed religious, regional differences and act as Indians first. For this to happen, there needs to be a change in mindset of people… to kick out politicians who indulge in fanning communal or regional rivalries. Only then can India be ‘united’ in the true sense of the word. No point blaming people like Thackeray, or Advani.. the leaders of a democratic nation are only a reflection of it’s people.
In my view, the best answer to terrorism is development. Well, we have seen good economic development the past few years, but the fruits of development have not reached the country’s poor. We need to work and change this scenario, to bring about social equality. We need to create jobs in our rural sectors, improve quality of primary education and work towards eradication of poverty. If so many people are dying from terrorism, there are much more dying from malnutrition, from disease, from poverty, so many farmers commiting suicides due to rising debts.. we need to face these problems. As one said, for many of these poverty-stricken people, dying from a terrorist attack would be a dream come true.. atleast they will become a martyr.
While we are seething in anger and hurt at Pakistan at it’s lack of willingness to tacke terrorism and want to strike terrorist camps… we should remind ourselves how costly a war can get and should exercise restraint. We should strengthen our intelligence and act tough against those aiding and abetting terrorism.. while striving to maintain the secular fabric.. and let Pakistan alone to rot. It is amazing how Pakistan can never learn from all these years’ experience.. that terrorism can bring it nowhere.. and how Pakistan’s ‘intelligence’ wing ISI lacks the slightest intelligence to change strategy. Pakistan doen’t realise that it can never get Kashmir by terrorising India… 4 wars in which the country was humiliated has failed to knock any wisdom into it’s leaders.
If Pakistan acts against terrorism, well and good… but that involves Pakistanis maturing and realising what terrorism can do and hazardous it is to itself, rather than indulging in blind nationalism.. at this moment it seems to be a far call. India must exercise restraint as of now… there is definitely international support for the country.. but definitely, other countries are still to realise the massive threats terrorism poses. Trust these terrorists to involve in more dastardly acts…India must wait for the right moment, while maintaining the pressure on Pakistan.. and when that moment comes, it must bomb each and every terrorist camp in Pakistan.
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