Synopsis: The Asian subcontinent is the ‘troubled corner’ of the world. Young men in Pakistan sign up to export terrorism so their untimely deaths help their families survive.
In the independence movement, generations sacrificed their present for a future free from oppression.
Democracy
Post-partition, democracy became the way forward for India and Pakistan.
The aim was majority rule, whereby the people hold power under a free electoral system. Votes decide which party earns the mandate to form government.
It often leads to groupism. The party hierarchy holds actual power. Individuals or small groups at the pyramidal apex call the shots.
This leadership may override judgement calls of even the government in office. Loyalty demands following party diktats unquestioningly, or else!
Sibling rivalry
Groupism is far more complicated and uncompromising in Pakistan, where several parallel powers enter the equation - the military, the intelligence agencies, and the clergy.
India-Pakistan ties remain emotionally charged with sibling rivalry. Wounds of the partition affected six decades ago, still bleed negativity for many. It’s made the region the ‘troubled corner’ of the world.
Communal prejudices passed on to future generations, thus carry forward, as on the Kashmir dispute. Political posturing, and vested interests in the global arena, ensure the mutual tension and distrust are alive, even virulent.
New ideology
Depleted resources inherited post-independence stretched thin with increasing populations in both nations. The plight of the general public already traumatized by the losses of family members and family fortunes in the partition, worsened.
Pakistan suffered further setback with the breakaway of the eastern province (now Bangladesh). The resulting socioeconomic problems wouldn’t resolve by magic, so those in power sought to hide their own incompetence by inflaming the already seething passions.
It’s led eventually to the new ideology of death. Pakistan’s generally named the hotbed of terror training, where young men sign up at suicide squad camps focused on exporting terrorism, hoping their untimely deaths will help their families survive.
Dying in vain
But the impressionable youth die in vain, committing themselves to visions of an impossible future. They’re sent on one-way ‘missions’ to accomplish objectives that relate little with them personally.
No leader of the terrorist movement ever leads from the front. They remain unidentifiable shadows, profiting most from thus wiping out generations of youth.
The urgent need
The question is how terrorism may be combated:
- Should India cut relationships with Pakistan until the most wanted terror mongers are extradited?
- Should Indian strike forces decimate training camps in Pakistan?
Truth is the Pakistani public is held hostage in its own home. The civilian government can’t deliver on promises – the alternate power centres ensure that it isn’t really in charge.
Besides terrorism is self-regenerating, like the mythological poison snakes on Medusa’s head. From each camp or organization shut down, others arise, morphing identity.
For India, the urgent need is to first address weaknesses exposed within the nation. It makes more sense to develop internal security, than to use up resources chasing shadows outside.
Cont’d 3…raising tactical levels
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