The use of violence to terrify and intimidate is an ancient tactic. While the menace of violence is known to man since ages. Recently terrorist violence in Pulwama district has given rise to a greater degree of possible destructiveness in the region owing to the building tension between the neighbors. The attacks on the Indian Security forces, shook the entire world. The impact amplified not just on the psychic, but also had economic and financial aftershocks. More than that, the attacks had deeper resonance for global security. “Terrorism” and “War against It” immediately shot up to the top priority on all the world agendas.
In the aftermath of Pulwama terrorist attacks the conditions are ripe for India to further its malignant agenda. As Dr Riffat Hussain suggests “…security challenge that Islamabad faces is the rising possibility of war with India on account of Islamabad’s perceived unwillingness to discourage ‘cross border terrorism’”. India has benefited from this incident with a view to create trouble, unrest in the region. Its agenda hinges on, To cash on world sensitivity on terrorism charges against Pakistan, To color Indian oppression in Kashmir as cross border terrorism, To establish grounds for compete diplomatic isolation of Pakistan on world stage.
Owing to superior media power and better exterior maneuvers by India, people of Kashmir Valley fighting for their self determination are being labeled as terrorists who are backed by JeM (Jaish e Mohammad), Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and more. Indian narrative claims that these organizations are operational from Pakistan which makes the state direct responsible for spreading unrest in the region.
Pulwama tragedy as a scourge has shaken the very fabric of Indian society. The measures to counter this nuisance must be multidimensional to include offensive action aiming at destruction of terrorist resources and camps and sending across a stern message that a terrorist cannot be left unpunished are the major chants coming out of India.
It is however a pity that though Self determination has been one of the rallying points of contemporary international law and politics and the banner under which almost two thirds of the States of the present day world have marched to independence. Same is no more regarded an accepted norm.
India needs to address major segments of IOK with feelings of deprivation; grave social injustice and economic disparity must be brought back in the mainstream of the society by addressing genuine problems at priority rather than playing victim.
The aim of Indian foreign policy has always been to achieve regional hegemony. If in the past, India used aggressive methods to achieve this goal, now it is attempting to achieve regional supremacy through the same means. India’s military strength when seen in comparison with China and Pakistan does not promise her regional or global power status. When, within the region Indian leadership is questionable, her dreams for global leadership are certainly far fetched.
The Indian hegemonic designs manifested most vividly by its obsession to build up huge war machine and its condescending attitude towards the regional countries has created a deep sense of insecurity in the region. Pakistan being a potent obstacle to Indian hegemony continues to bear the brunt of the Indian muscle power.
Another important factor in the wake of Pulwama incident is the Indian General Elections. Modi’s Party BJP has always maintained an anti-Pakistan stance and Hindutva policy which has fetched majority votes. To further lift their election campaign, the BJP leadership, over the course of this incident has constantly been infusing aggressiveness in their political manifesto towards Pakistan.
People of Jammu and Kashmir are being criticized and are subject to demonetization on various Indian News Channels that back Modi’s government and with this incident the wicked outfits like ABVP, which is the student wing of Hindu extreme right wing organization, The RSS have been given the clean chit to publically thrash kashmiri students and are making sure that no Kashmiri student should be allowed to admit in an educational institute in every BJP ruled state. No wonder the UN high commissioner for Human Rights has raised serious concerns about victimization and targeting of Kashmiri community.
The terror activity against Indian military was carried out by a young Kashmiri named Adil Ahmed Dar, his act reflects the alienation of a vast segment of Kashmiri population who are being oppressed, deprived of their basic rights by the hands of incompetent Modi government and the brutal and barbaric use of violence by the Indian armed forces in the valley.
To make the matters even worse the Modi government does not seem to be interested in solving the dangerous situation which is escalating in the valley due to the armed tactics, addressing the concerns and winning the hearts of Kashmiri people is surely not in the guide book of BJP. On the contrary during a public appearance in Bihar, PM Modi stated that “there is same fire in his heart which is burning in yours”
Moreover, the alarming situation is that on Indian side of border there is an effort to exploit the terror attack and work up anti-Pakistan sentiment and likewise after the breach of Pakistan’s air space by the Indian Air Force, government ministers and officials of establishment are casually spreading notions of war.
Sanity needs to prevail on both sides since war is no picnic, the adventure will have devastating consequences for the generations to follow, Pulwama incident was a fitting reaction to Hindutva tactics that are being operative in the Kashmir Valley for quite some time, so putting the blame on Pakistan will not make the troubles go away.
