Prof M K Bhat
The former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Dr Farooq Abdullah and many other leaders of the Valley hold that India must talk to Pakistan for peace in Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan is an atomic power and the same sentiments were shared by Congress leader Mani Shanker Aiyer in an interview. The former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi claimed that the attack on IAF personnel in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir on 4th May 2024 was a poll stunt by BJP thereby exonerated the enemy country of its terror attack. It is quite painful to imagine the impact of this statement on martyr’s family when they may have come across it. This also shows that Channi has no regard for the sentiments of general public or Indian army which remains 24* 7 ready to scarify themselves for all of us to be safe. It looks strange but true that in the past also we have seen people demanding proof for surgical strike or terming Pulwama attack as an election gimmick by BJP, slogans hailing enemy country like Pakistan Zindabad rant in various gatherings, Indian army chief is termed as Sadakh ka Gonda etc. All this is done not by Pakistan but by Indian Nationals who enjoyed power at the highest level. It is worthwhile to mention here that no Indian worth his salt can agree with this behavior, it only lowers such people in the eyes of general public. Those who have taken oath of Indian constitution and enjoyed ministerial berths talk the language of Pakistan and at times it becomes difficult to understand their feelings for their own country. Pakistan has many times utilized these statements to further its own interests in the international forums. History is a testimony to the fact that nations lost their battles many times because of their own people – India’s enslavement by foreign powers is a case in point.
This makes it imperative to analyse where talks have led us to in the past? and why this love for Pakistan erupts quite often in Indians? There have been numerous attempts to improve the relationship, notably, the Shimla Summit, the Agra summit, and the Lahore summit, as well as various peace and co-operation initiatives and the result has been Kargil war, Uri, Pulwama, 26/11 attack in Bombay and numerous other cross border attacks. Umpteen times cross border peace talks were held, and Pakistan violated all such agreements and at times blamed India for the same. India giving dossiers about attacks and Pakistan’s negation of the same has become a common practice. Pakistan has not left a single chance to malign India in the international forums. Its propaganda on Kashmir, religious minorities, abrogation of article 370 or any other matter etc despite enjoying most favoured nations treatment from India till Pulwama attack cannot be totally ignored. It hobnobs with China to contain India. Those dying for people-to-people relationship, Aman Ki Asha, providing work to their actors, welcoming players, must evaluate the response from the other side too. It seems to be just one side India’s infatuation with Pakistan because they have never yearned for such things. what is the fun in talking to those who are not ready to listen, becomes difficult for a common person to understand? Our soft diplomacy has been taken as our meekness to take any bold step and gives Pakistani a chance to gratify its stand through absolute stupid fabrications. It also raises questions both on the content and intent of the leaders advocating for talks with Pakistan. It would have been prudent on the part of such leaders to use encouraging words for armed forces and suggest ways to contain the enemy country but they quite often resort to the wrong positioning and get noticed by people.
Involving Pakistan in talks means justifying its role in Jammu and Kashmir and neglecting the atrocities it committed during all these years. It has no role in J&K. It has forcefully occupied a part of J&K which it must return back without any hassle as the people living in the occupied area have repeatedly demanded their realignment with India.
The threat of nuclear Pakistan shown by Pakistan & certain Indian leaders raises pertinent questions like; Is atom bomb a license to do wrong? Are we not an atomic power? How long we shall appease them for they are nuclear? How long will we treat a country which has vowed to give hundred cuts to India treat with Kid gloves? Are nuclear arms the only way to teach a country what it stands for? why we shall succumb to the dictates of a terror producing state when we have upper hand in every respect compared to Pakistan? Why India always tries to take a soft track while dealing with Pakistan? Why India resorted to cease fire when its army was doing well during Indo Pak Wars? How much attempt for peace talks is from the other side? Shall we allow the killing of our soldiers because Pakistan is nuclear? Etc.
Talks with Pakistan is just an excuse by certain leaders of the valley the real purpose with them is to solidify their dwindling base in the union territory. It is nothing new that they have been saying something in New Delhi and juxtaposed to it in Srinagar. They fail to realise that much water has flown in Jhelum over the period. It is an age of internet and people are educated; they properly understand their leaders. They need to realise that the era of green piece of cloth and rock salt shown from stage is over now. People understand things much better and vote accordingly. The leaders from the rest of the country speak for talks with Pakistan to appease their vote bank. They feel that Pakistan can be instrumental for encashing the votes of Muslim community in India. In fact, they live in fool’s world by doubting the political maturity of Indian Muslim voter who is aware of his rights in present times.
The support for certain leaders has abruptly come from the enemy country during the current elections. It hints to some understanding between the two or can be a testing technique to consolidate their followers to assert themselves. It helps Pakistan to divert the attention of people from their internal problems.
India shall make it quite clear that terrorism and talks cannot go together. Pakistan shall stop cross-border terrorism if it wants dialogue with India. India must strengthen itself and neglect Pakistan as it will divert the attention of the country from crucial issues. It must concentrate on issues like construction of Chabahar port in Iran and international North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Pakistan has reached a stage where its death seems inevitable. Economically it is doing nothing good, politically its situation at Afghanistan border and POK is deteriorating day by day, internationally its role in terror activities is getting exposed, countries are having trust deficit with it. India shall engage with the international community in addressing the issue of cross-border terrorism. It must try to isolate Pakistan in the world community and make good relations with other Muslim countries. India can use its diplomatic leverage to isolate Pakistan internationally and expose its alleged support for terrorism and human rights violations. Isolating Pakistan in the international community can be a befitting answer to Pakistan.
Vidur Niti says “do good to good people and bad to bad people”.
(The author is Professor (M.A.I.T) Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi)
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