Spiga

Mumbai 26/11: The way ahead

[This is the third post in a series on Mumbai 26/11]

With the dust settling on Mumbai, it is now time for the UPA Government to swing into action mode and give a fitting response to cross-border organizations and well-networked terror outfits. Let it be known that India WILL BEAR NO MORE, and this would certainly galvanize the widely angered civilian society in the country. All-party meetings need to be converted into confidence and unity boosters and plans need to be made firmly with critical analysis and affirmative promises of action.

End political bickering and mindless analysis
When analysis and debates begin to seem meaningless in a democratic system such as ours, then it is vital for the country to realize the gravity of the situation on hand. Every situation in a democracy is wisely resolved through debate but there are times when a feeling of no-debate-please comes in and this time is one of those.

This has been the gut feeling over the past few days of outrageous national torture. Political mind games must, absolutely must, come to an end. Elections are no longer a priority in partisan sense and such a scenario is a litmus test for any politician. It is one that ultimately proves whether a politician is just a vote-hungry insensitive monster or a dedicated servant to the country.

In such times, it was hence utterly nonsensical of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to indulge in blame games as early as just two days into the terror attack. Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari responded with as much ignominy as Modi. Shut up, for once.

A case for military action
An all-out formula to eradicate terrorism from our diseased neighborhood would definitely be to engage in incisively planned military action. But it is not easy, keeping in mind the stockpile of nuclear weapons on the subcontinent. A direct attack on Pakistan can have severe repercussions, but it would be wise for India to become opportunistic of the situation as the US and other Western powers have offered complete help and have said that they stand by India in the wake of the attacks. Indian Army chief Deepak Kapoor recently claimed that at least 40 terrorist camps are in operation across the LOC, which is mind-boggling considering that Pakistan is now in the post-Musharraf era. However, it also proves that the Army and the ISI still play a vital role in Pakistan’s corridors of power. And these suspect institutions have always been confirmed patrons of Jehadi groups in Pakistan. Hence, the first measure would be a comprehensive elimination of these camps from their root.

India even has the upper hand when it comes to ceasefire violations. Ironically Pakistan has indulged in cross-border firing specifically since the last two days, breaking the 2004 armistice agreement for an umpteenth time over the last few months. India has never responded strongly, nor have we taken up the case internationally. Military action must at least be responded to, dear leaders. What say, Prime Minister? It’s high time we also learn that breaking the code of history is now more pressing than it has ever been before and our illustrious honour of never having opened attack on another country is proving to be a weigh down rather than a source of motivation.

Broadcast terror evidences
Here’s a poser - What is more routine than India suffering a terror attack? Answer to the poser -> India graciously offering the evidence like a birthday bouquet to the neighbor, who is palpably callous in handling it. Next morning, the evidence vanishes and life resumes. We have been birdbrains when it comes to presenting evidence to alleged conspirators of large-scale attacks.

It would hence be wise to broadcast essential evidence across the world and hence prove the involvement of the ISI in these attacks. Broadcasting evidence would mean open humiliation of those involved and could even provoke them as the exposure of truth generally does to us humans.

The PM’s decision to summon the ISI chief to India is hence open for debate. The fact that Pakistan had first agreed and have now disagreed seems to raise suspicions as Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Gillani had first taken the decision to send him but then there was a pullback, which is sinister as it was certainly called by a much more powerful influence in Pakistan’s rickety democratic setup. And this could most certainly be the ISI or the Army.

Finish terrorists on hand
It is certain now that the laws need to be strengthened and an un-politicized central agency to specifically handle terror and only terror is needed. It is even urgent to take action against convicted terrorists in Indian jails by engaging fast track courts to deliver verdicts.

Remember that one of the fidayeen involved in Mumbai openly shouted that they want all arrested terrorists to be released. This should serve as a warning. This gives terrorist groups yet another purpose to engage in such atrocious acts of violence. If India deals quickly with all terrorists captured, then such a problem will become non-existent and would also be a major blow to cross-border organizations.


The time is ripe for our political class to set aside their personal differences and reignite our disturbed lives. The time is ripe for our leaders to show us that they do have the will to rise above partisan interests and electoral temptations and work towards chasing terrorism to its core and uprooting it from this part of the world. This is the time that we should also realize that cross-border terrorism must figure at the top of India’s priority list as it is a global phenomenon that could bring our superpower-potential crashing down to earth. This is the time. This is the NOW.

This is India. Ab, yahaan sab NAHI chalega.







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15 comments:

  Winnie the poohi

Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 6:23:00 AM PST

Its so hard to not agree to it.. but time and again I have to ask.. if these people are worth leading india ? These politicians i mean..

Why dont we take things in our hand and attack like USA did with Iraq and Afghanistan ?

  Vinod_Sharma

Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 6:46:00 PM PST

There is little doubt that terror camps and the headquarters of thei masters in Pakistan have to be taken out by some sort of military action. Unless you hit them there, this wont stop. This should have been clear long back, but it seems even now there is a reluctance to accept that reality.

  Jimmy

Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 11:34:00 PM PST

good post

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  Indian Home Maker

Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 11:37:00 PM PST

We definitely need firm and decisive action, I agree it doesn't make sense to tell our neighbours we have proof of their connivance, they are themselves in such a sorry state, that 'the left hand does not know what the right is doing' (quoting an angry friend)- their Frankenstein have grown too big for them to control anymore.

I also feel the neighbours are taking advantage of our unstable conditions. For past some months, we all have been troubled by what's going on - the country has no leaders. I think we should all work to make it possible for new leaders to come up and stand for elections. All those we have are can't think beyond the next vote.
I got this sms, that says we should fear those who come by boats, but we should fear even more, those who come by VOTES!

  Jay

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 12:00:00 AM PST


@Winnie the Poohi
Thanks for agreeing. Regarding politicians, all I have to say is that we get the ones we deserve and India, for all our slackness and disinterest in the system, deserves the current set.

The situation is very complicated with India. We have never enjoyed unanimous support in the world, regarding terrorism or anything. Although we are powerful, we cannot just open attack. Lots of factors go into it. But political will can change that. And the current tribe lack it.

  Jay

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 12:02:00 AM PST


@Vinod_Sharma
Yes, we have been soft.

@Jimmy
Thanks.

@IHM
Yes, spread word about voting as much as you can. An esteemed blogger such as you can influence many.

Nice words.

  Winnie the poohi

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 1:07:00 AM PST

As I see it.. we take the action and then explain it to the world like USA does.. or we keep waiting for everyone to be with us.. and keep suffering!

It doesn't make sense!

  Winnie the poohi

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 1:08:00 AM PST

I do agree political will is lacking..

Leadership is lacking :(

Why does every debate stop right at this point ?

  Jay

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 2:22:00 AM PST


@Winnie The Poohi
Your concerns make sense, but we people are not as powerless as we think. It's just that we are too bothered about our own lives to give the nation any time whatsoever.

We can be the change we want to be.

We can lead.

  Winnie the poohi

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 5:30:00 AM PST

I agree with that.. We have to change and to expect more.. if accountability has to come.. we have to start asking questions.. and then follow it up.. for we do ask questions when issues crop up.. we dont bother to see if replies have come through or not!

  Anonymous

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 9:47:00 AM PST

I just hope that everything does not go thanda after all this.

  Kartz

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 12:56:00 PM PST

Appalling, to say the least. I hope we don't face another attack for eternity... Ah, how I hope some wishes are granted instantly.

Peace on Earth; goodwill and God bless us all.

---
Greetings.

First time here. Thank your for stopping by and voicing out. Keep visiting.

Peace. Have a nice day.

  Jay

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 1:26:00 AM PST


@Winnie the Poohi
Hmm, yes.

@Mashedmusings
I hope so too.

@Kartz
Keep hoping. We live on it. :-)

  Kartz

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 4:32:00 AM PST

Do we have a choice? Homo sapiens are a capricious lot. You cannot dispute that bro'.

Oh! Utopia... 'til reality comes crashing in.

Peace.

  Jay

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 6:10:00 AM PST


Wonderful piece by R Vaidyanathan in Rediff. A must read. [Link]