War clouds at 44 degrees centigrade are not laden with life giving rain, but with the horrors of destruction, confusion and most definitely, no solution at all. Win the war or lose it, attacks will go on and on till both sides resolve the issue. If only it were so easy to end mercenary operations. World-wide experience has shown that wars, bombings, and a heavy hand only reinforce the cause of militancy and terror. The Prime Minister visits Kashmir to prime up the troops ? men who have sacrificed their normal lives for standing by a confused non strategy. A succession of governments and leaders have succeeded in tearing apart the fabric of civil society in Kashmir. They should all be guilty.
Seeing this juvenile mess that no one is prepared to take on, ?super powers? find it appropriate to fiddle about in the region playing one against the other. Here is a possible scenario ? the US would like to see India polarise its Hindu position so as to form a bulwark against the ?growth of Islamic fundamentalism?…their complete lack of action on the ground in influencing an end to cross-border terrorism only endorses what is happening in Pakistan. Does the US administration really believe the referendum was anything other than a farce? Is this the US? definition of ?democracy?? Maybe. Remember Florida?
Any person with average intelligence sees this hypocrisy ? separate set of rules for the whites, the Americans, and another for the rest. It is time we shun the double standards of these supposedly powerful nations. They need us as much as we need them. And, they know so. However, they relish the sense of holding the less advantaged to ransom. This is the new millennium racism. The less privileged are expected to cringe when confronted with the despot. It is despotism. Small wonder that Tony Blair, too, clones Bush. To piggy back is the easy option but it will probably throw Blair out of power the next time round.
Seeing our top leaders fawn around US secretaries of state of all sizes, shapes and description makes all self-respecting Indians squirm. Their knowledge of India at all levels is superficial to say the least, and to have them pontificate on what they have no clue about and determine our internal policy is unacceptable for thinking Indians. It is frightening to see them attempt to dictate and define our future. To see our leaders fall in line with such ease, bowing to the unipolar power with no questions asked, makes one fearful and suspicious. We are a walkover which is why the US treats us with virtual contempt. Pakistan is their friend and partner. They share an ideology ? you scratch my back and I yours. They share the position on Kashmir. They share the belief that Kashmir is not an integral part of the Indian Union and we fawn.
No citizenry anywhere in the world wants to be seen as a ?stooge? nation of another. It is precisely this high-handed stance that germinates suicide bombers. American ?culture? has no comprehension of the concept of self-sacrifice at the altar of God. They do not understand what motivates and inspires cultures that are old and experienced with strong values, values that differ from theirs. They are the authoritarians posing as democrats, ridden with cultural insecurity, working the world with monetary and military power. That?s why they appear so arrogant to the rest of the world.
Their ?war against terror? is their war on those who terrorised them, Americans. The world began dancing to the tune of the US terror war dance till it dawned on it that the war was to protect Americans alone. Indians, Palestinians, Kashmiris did not fit the bill. Only Israel did. The early days of the ?terror war? saw world leaders standing at attention much like ADCs to Bush. Gradually they began to make themselves scarce. Tony Blair who was virtually Bush?s emissary, not a squeak out of him these days! But America understands how to conduct wars ? in Japan, Vietnam, south east Asia, Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan. What they got in return was September 11. Yes, there is a cycle to all this. The new millennium will definitely bring in the new.