Pakistan is the obverse image of India and has similar roots.The Pakistan army also has a shared history with the British Indian army and some of the Muslim regiments like the Punjab regiments and the Baluch regiments made a name for them in terms of bravery and loyalty in two World Wars. However the creation of a Muslim state with Islam as the state religion in 1947, was not a good thing for the army. The secular force nurtured by the English was forced into transition to a hard line Islamic force. Worse was to follow and the civilian leadership after the death of Mohammad Ali Jinnah failed to lead the country forward, resulting in a military coup by General Ayub Khan in 1958.
This was the beginning and the Pakistan army became like a man eating tiger, who having tasted human flesh is unable to give it up. It got enmeshed in politics and forgot all about its professional role. The Pakistan army generals who seized power were not mass leaders and they ruled with the gun at their side. During this period the Pakistan army created a world record by losing half its territory in the east, with the creation of Bangladesh. At that time the army in Pakistan was greatly discredited and a civilian leader named Zulfikar Ali Bhutto appeared on the scene.
Bhutto was not a perfect leader as he had a major hand in the breakup of Pakistan, but he was a mass leader and people saw in him a ray of hope. He became President of Pakistan and then all credit to him he got a constitution framed, which made him the prime minister.
In 1978 Bhutto was ousted in a military coup by another general named Zia ul Haq. This man had no mass following and compared to Bhutto was a pygmy. He however held the gun and seized power. The sad part is that Zia was appointed by Bhutto, by superseding 5 generals senior to him. Gratefulness is not a trait in some people.
Once Zia became President he plotted with his other corps commanders as to how to rule in perpetuity. All the generals agreed that the only way this was possible was in case Bhutto was removed from the scene, as the generals feared that once free Bhutto would again come back to power. A diabolical plan was hatched to try Bhutto on a murder charge and accordingly his trial commenced straightaway in the Punjab High Court. This showed the convoluted mind of the Pak generals who were not prepared to waste time and try Butto first in the Sessions court.
A fixed judiciary awarded the death sentence to Bhutto and though there was a formality of an appeal to the Pak Supreme Court, the death sentence was confirmed. Independent jurists have confirmed that the evidence against Bhutto was flimsy, but then Zia and the generals had decided to execute Bhutto. Bhutto was hung without any compunction.
I bring this point out now as once again the Pak prime minister Nawaz Sharif seems to be losing his hold and one can see that he is playing second fiddle to the army chief General Raheel Sharif. The general is strutting around as the de-facto power and Nawaz must be wary as earlier his chief of staff had ousted him in a coup and exiled him for 10 long years. In fact he would probably have been executed , but for the intervention of Saudi Arabia.
The Pakistan army has done it earlier, by executing Bhutto and sentencing Nawaz Sharif to exile and prison on a charge of treason. The present PM , better beware for history has an uncanny habit of repeating itself.
Narendra Modi came to power with a lot of goodwill. He promised a new era and and a new beginning , but one year down the line one must ask the question that, has he performed better than the Congress and the previous government headed by ManMohan Singh? I remember ManMohan Singh in an interaction with the press before the elections was asked how will history judge him. He replied that he thought history will judge him better than the media. He further also said without naming Modi, that it would be a disaster if Modi became prime minister of India. At that time one was apt to dismiss the observations of ManMohan Singh. In any case he led the Congress party to its worst electoral defeat in history.
Modi was now the darling of the press and the media and he began to create a image of a superman. But one year down the line a thought is creeping in that perhaps after all is said and done Modi is a man who has legs of clay. Most of his cliches like "Ache Din" and " make in India" have not proceeded furher than the paper on which they are written. The fact is the Media started eulogizing Modi and ManMohan Singh became the favorite whipping boy.
One year later things appear to be changing and the honeymoon period seems to be going. Modi is now being seen for what he has achieved. Frankly I find that their are waves of discomfort over the social media and Industry as well as farmers and the common man. Corporate world is also coming to grips with the fact that nothing much has changed. I will quote Deepak Parekh , one of the respected figures in the world of business. He says there is still a lot of optimism about the Modi government, but nine moths down the line no changes are taking place and one wonders why it is taking so long to implement all that is promised.
We must remember that Modi came to power by promising a change and "Ache Din", however it looks like all this has not materialized. Though inflation is down, yet food inflation is at a height. The " make in India" slogan has resulted in nothing new happening on the industrial front and despite all his efforts the Chinese are investing $ 46 billion in Pakistan and a fraction of that in India. His silence on communal incidents is damming and he failed to realize that all investments have to come from Christian nations and they are not happy with the Modi government reaction to attacks on Christians. The "ghar wapsi" program initiated by the RSS is a tinder box and one wonders what the Modi government is trying to achieve. Can they convert back 25-30 million Christians to Hinduism? After all these people became Christians or Muslims because of inequality in Hindu society. The Christian nations are not happy and Indian industrialist Kirloskar has cautioned the government and Modi on this. He has articulated that Modi must not forget that all the countries from whom he is expecting investment are Christian.
Has life improved under Modi? have the rapes stopped. Have women become or feel more secure ? The answer is a big no, and worse the BJP partner, the Akali Dal is a big culprit. There is disquiet among the farmers and the suicides have not stopped. I wonder where the "ache din' are? or maybe Modi has a different meaning for this word.
The stock market is also in doldrums. after an initial euphoria it has gone down. Industrial production has not peaked and exports are where they were. problems are mounting by the day. Modi has also not honored his promise of One Rank One Pension ( OROP) for the soldiers, which was a slogan he repeated from roof tops. All in all apart from a plethora of foreign trips Modi has nothing to show. These foreign trips are good for media coverage , but what are the tangible benefits and have the "ache Din" come ? one year is a fair amount of time and Modi has not shown that he can execute what he had promised. There are so many things, a uniform Civil Code, abolition of Article 370 on Kashmir and one finds that Modi is no better than the Congress.
Modi must beware that he is squandering the good will of the people. Rahul Gandhi is making a comeback. Modi must remember that the Indian people are now impatient and he better execute what he has promised. He must move forward and lead this great nation to its destiny, otherwise the bell tolls for all and that includes Modi.
I remember reading the BJP manifesto before the 2014 general elections. Among others promises it, delineated that a uniform civil code would be introduced in India and Article 370 which granted special status to Kashmir would be abolished. After reading, I was not too sure that BJP would really carryout these promises. After all Atal Bihari Vajpayee the ex BJP Prime Minister ruled for 6 years and nothing happened. There was not even a semblance of a debate during his time.
However many friends told me that this time it would be different. They opined that now the BJP is headed by a "dynamic" leader Narendra Modi and better, the BJP had an absolute majority in parliament. After all they said the BJP stand had been consistent on these two points for the last 50 years.
It appeared that the BJP will start a debate on these two contentious topics as a beginning. The endeavor to have a uniform civil code is part of the directive principles of the constitution and many felt this should have plain sailing. Article 370 is an addition by Nehru and not compatible with the concept of one India and one expected the BJP to start a discussion on how it was going to be removed.
But the BJP is all fire and smoke and and once the smoke clears, I do not find it better than the Congress party. Instead of asking for a discussion on article 370, the party compromised its principles by joining in a government headed by the PDP( a pro Pakistan party). It tacitly accepted that Article 370 would not be touched and the PDP leader Mehbooba shouted from roof tops that Article 370 is the corner stone of the states accession to India. The BJP and Narendra Modi kept quiet.
The fact is that the BJP is lusting for power, principles be dammed. One year down the line I have seen nothing that the BJP will honor its promise in the manifesto. This is not the only point, but even the battle against corruption is greatly watered down. More on that in another post.
Asa nationalist I am saddened as to where India is heading. When will we have a national leader like Subhash Chandra Bose? The Hindus lost earlier due to their own weakness and one hopes the same scenario is not repeated. There is a powerful China-Pakistan axis being built up and India may well end up second fiddle to them.
By not taking up these two issues mentioned in the manifesto has been a drawback on the part of the BJP and hurt the core community of their supporters. One cannot understand why the BJP and Narendra Modi compromised on article 370 and joined hands with the PDP. Joining the PDP has led to some of the worst anti India sentiments being openly propagated in Kashmir. Let alone abrogating Article 370, the BJP seems powerless to rein in the anti India and pro Pakistan agenda of the PDP. I wonder how Shyam Prasad Mukherjee the stalwart BJP leader must be feeling in death after the BJP jettisoned all talk of Article 370.
Similar is the case of a Uniform Civil Code. In no country of the world ( barring the Muslim Nations) is Islamic personal law allowed or followed. In fact nations like China have also banned fasting during Ramadan. This is an extreme, but surely the BJP can take the first steps to lay the groundwork of a common civil code. I wonder what worries the BJP, for a look at Goa will show that Muslims accept the common civil code. In the Portuguese state of Goa, the uniform civil code is law and the Sharia has a back seat. I wonder what stops the BJP from going ahead in implementing its manifesto. I can understand that it cannot be done in a day, but surely a discussion can commence and slowly the Sharia removed. It will require courage and so far Modi and the BJP do not seem equal to this task.
The guest of honor
Our country will welcome a special guest on this republic day the 26th January. It’s a usual feature we invite a head of a country every year as a very important person as guest of honor but it will be with a difference this year as it will be President of the United States Barack Obama who will witness the Republic Day celebrations this year. Obviously, when the guest is of the stature of President Obama the news and arrangements have to be matching to his own standards too. I live in the National Capital Region so it is but natural for me to hear more such news in compare with others living in far-flung areas.
Guest is god
Atithi Devo Bhav (the guest is god) is an old tradition of our country and we always keep it by inviting a head of state on Republic Day every year and this year it is going to be the president of the America considered to be the most powerful man of the world. The management planning is going on for his visit is in full swing but what is most impressing that India is doing it on his own way and style. Indian government is not agreeing to all the suggestions coming from different American agencies but working according to own laws and plans keeping guests’ safety priorities in mind but at the same time not bending on their knees.
We are a strong Nation
Our government’s firm decision on certain matters shows that India is on way to become a true world-power in making. By refusing certain security related demands of American agencies the Indian government has clearly indicated that India has learned to behave like a strong nation. The Indian government refused to close down Yamuna express way during the visit of president Obama as the American agencies considered it a security threat for their president but it was not agreed upon on the basis the road was more important where hundreds of thousands commuter travel coming towards Delhi from Agra side.
A good decision
I can imagine the problems the commuters would have faced if the Yamuna express way was closed for two days. I can agree to the point the traffic on road could be kept suspended for the duration when the main parade will be taking place and Obama will be sitting among the guests for couple of hours but not for the entire duration of his tour of India, not even when he will be visiting Agra next day on 27th January. We have seen that happening while our Prime Minister Modi visited America he traveled to his hotel like an ordinary passenger through the regular traffic stopping on every red-light as in normal course every other visitor does in that country.
Conclusion
So why should we stop our roads and commuters for someone that will not even be visiting on that road? I would say a good decision by an independent country that knows its own rules and powers. The visit of Obama further confirms our diplomatic position in world’ political circles and the way our government is taking strong decisions simply helps our cause towards becoming a stronger nation on the way to be a world power to watch in very near future.
Image source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
The recent tragic killing of school children in Peshawar by Taliban terrorists is a turning point in Pakistan civil society. It shows the utter failure of strategies followed till now by various Pakistani governments in that today their own nurtured creations are devouring them. It also demonstrates the fact that hate cannot be the basis of cementing together a nation.
Background
As we all know the creation of Pakistan was on the basis of religion. Its separation from India was zealously pursued by Jinnah on the basis that in independent India, on a one vote one person formula the Muslims would never come to power and would always remain under the mercy of the majority Hindu community. His plea that there should be a proportionate reservation in Parliament for Muslims was turned down by Congress leaders.There was no option left but to partition British India into Pakistan and India.
The birth of Pakistan extracted a heavy price in life and property of both Hindus and Muslims in the communal violence that erupted in 1947. The bitterness of that period has impacted the psyche of both nations tremendously and has in fact (mis)shaped many of their responses towards each other. The legacy of the Kashmir dispute is a carry over of that period and both nations have fought three wars over it. India and Pakistan do not seem to agree on anything.
Different Paths
After independence India, under the benevolent leadership of Nehru, launched itself on the road to developing its economy and improving the quality of life of its citizens.Today India is a emerging country with a growing economy which gives ample opportunity to its citizens to grow into fine human beings. The policy of secularism (keeping religion away from politics and governance) has helped create an atmosphere which provides excellent environment for growth and associated opportunities.It is a tribute to Indians that democracy has taken deep roots in our political system.For this, the much reviled political leaders also need to be complimented.
However exactly the opposite has happened in Pakistan. Right from its inception it has been facing leadership crisis. Unfortunately Jinnah passed away a few months after formation of Pakistan.The line of weak leaders that followed him gave way to military take over. Military officers like Ayub Khan, Iskandar Mirza, Yakya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Musharaff did not allow democracy to take root in Pakistan. In between attempts at civilian rule were not effective. The fact that it was only Islam that was the reason for creation of Pakistan, the different language groups like Punjabis, Sindhis, Bengalis and Pushtus did not gel with each other. The promotion of Urdu as national language saw the majority Bengalis revolt. Ultimately East Pakistan liberated itself and a new country Bangladesh was born. Pakistan was decimated but not broken.
The Problems
At the time of partition the Muslim majority state of Jammu and Kashmir opted to join India with some conditions, following an attack on it by Pakistani forces. It resulted in one third remaining under Pakistan and two thirds remaining with India. Ever since Pakistan has been claiming that the whole of J&K should be given to it because it was a Muslim majority state. Wars have been fought over it. After creation of Bangladesh, a humiliated Pakistan has resorted to a low cost tactic, that of sending trained terrorists into Kashmir and "bleeding" India. It has succeeded in ensuring the flight of Hindu Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley there by making it more Muslim majority.
Democracy
While India has allowed democracy to take deep roots this has also acted in creation of a level playing field between different sections of Indian society. In a highly pluralistic citizenry like ours it is essential that all have an equal opportunity to be heard when they face problems and expect justice from its legislatures and fair execution by its executive wing and equitable resolution by its judiciary. Thus after independence India has faced many grave problems but these have found resolution in its participative democratic framework. This has strengthened the unity among its different groups and is helping India progress in a just manner. Thus while in a large developing country there will be differences from tome to time, their amicable resolution ensures a congenial atmosphere and increases the love for the country in its citizens.
The lack of participative democracy in Pakistan has resulted in the State apparatus being usurped by others like the Army and the terrorist groups. This has resulted in the non development of institutional framework in which citizens can have a say and which will respond to their needs and concerns. This has also meant that the non democratic rulers are not accountable for their actions. They have thus followed policies which are more warlike than a civilian government would follow. The army has created groups of terrorists whom they use for their strategic purposes both against India and Afghanistan. The finances are diverted considerably to fulfill the requirement of the army and the non state actors as they are called. This has impacted the economic development of Pakistan considerably. However it is to the credit of Pakistan army and government that they have been able to milk USA of billions of dollars by successfully convincing that they are in the fore front of fighting the bad Taliban whom they are also fighting to finish. This flow of dollars has sustained Pakistan.
Achievements
India today is the world's largest democracy and Pakistan is one of the ten most dangerous countries in the world. India placed its faith in the common citizens and they can every five years change the government through ballot. In Pakistan mostly it is the gun and the bullet which is becoming the agent of change.It has experimented with democracy but it is still a fledgling country with power vesting with the army and various terrorist groups. The elected government is sandwiched between the two.India today has effective governments to which all the instruments of State including the army reports and Pakistan has ineffective governments which many a time has to take instructions from the army and bow to the terrorists.
Pakistan's Kashmir obsession has not only been successfully exploited by its vested interests but is also a strong tool to unite Pakistanis. This common cause helps the Army and also the State to justify its both overt and covert actions of supporting and using different terrorist groups in its anti India tirade.This has meant lot of time, money and emphasis getting diverted from developmental activities into money draining but lethal activities. The blatant use of terror as a strategic tool to further its objectives has meant that Pakistan has given a state of legitimacy to such tactics.
Reactions
India is today engaged in containing the terrorism seeping in from Pakistan. It is acting mostly in a defensive manner. The Mumbai killings were a grave provocation but India did not respond. Right or wrong is a matter of choice. Perhaps this has emboldened terrorist groups and also Pakistani government to see India as a weak state and they are thus continuing with their destabilizing activities against India with impunity.
However now the terrorist groups are threatening Pakistan itself and under local and American pressure they have started acting against these groups. Thousands of Taliban members have been killed in FATA area of Pakistan along with their family members. This has hardened these groups and they are seeking revenge against the Pakistanis. The recent brutal killing of 132 school children in Peshawar was a retaliatory action by the Taliban.
It is for the first time that Pakistanis have felt the pain inflicted by terrorists.Civil society is up in protest. The government is under pressure to act tough. The mature and sympathetic response from India has also touched a chord in many Pakistanis. The non release of Mumbai attack accused Lakhvi even though granted bail is a welcome step. The civil government has got a terrorist given opportunity to seize the initiative and rid the country of such disruptive elements.
Constraints
But it is not going to be so easy for Pakistan government. The army and terrorist groups are not going to give up their profit ventures so easily. It calls for a statesman like act on part of Pakistan PM and the civil society has to stand united to keep up pressure. It is here where if democratic institutions were well established they could do so very effectively. This structural weakness is what will keep the anti India groups alive. Also the Pakistan govt. is not going to give up its stand on Kashmir in which it has invested right from 1947 till date.
However if Pakistan is not going to change after the dastardly act in Peshawar and continues its terror activities as before it is possible India may have ti seriously think about its options. How long will the new Indian govt. hold its horses and continue to suffer human losses from time to time at the hands of Pakistan based terror groups.With USA withdrawing from Afghanistan next year India will have to take a strong position to protect its interests and citizens.
Both India and Pakistan started together in 1947 but today both are wide apart in their achievements. Pakistan is thus at crossroads and the Peshawar incident is its moment of reckoning
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