Arshed Durrani
The Wani-led ‘Intifada’ that has engulfed the Indian occupied Kashmir, since
July 2016, exposes and manifests the deep lying psychological insecurity of the
Indians. The External Ministry’s criticism of Pakistan as “glorifying”
terrorists and Prime Minister Modi’s outburst against media for portraying
Shaheed Burhanuddin Wani as a “hero” shows India’s frustration showing its
insecurity. And finally, Uri, brings out the entire gamut of Indian insecurities
and the obscuring arrogance.
Both the Indian mind and nerve are quite evidently obsessed with Pakistan
phobia. Modi sarakar’s blatant admission of interfering and disturbing
Balochistan shows arrogance of insecurity. This amounts to not only violation of
Pakistan’s sovereignty but it is also a challenge to the international law. Yet
another manifestation of the arrogance is the threat of annulment of the Indus
Water Treaty and converting Pakistan into a desert. This spate of boasts
multiplies as the arrogance mounts with the insecurity aggravating further and
further.
The amalgam of feelings of insecurity is deep, wide and complex. The guilt of
suppression of legitimate rights of many peoples; Kashmiris, Sikhs, the Nagas
and so many others, deepens its insecurity. Even with a plethora of state
suppressions and incentives, the peril refuses to recede; rather persists and
grows. This hereditary insecurity remains central to the Indian psyche. It keeps
itself inimical with the neighbours, seeking external support against China,
harrying the minnows, Nepal, Bhuttan and to a large extent Bangladesh and Sri
Lanka. Pakistan is the demon of Indian insecurity. Indian politics moans and
groans under the hoax of Pakistan.
“Sometimes our thoughts are backed by so much insecurity that they create lies
we believe”, said a sage. Just the name Pakistan appearing anywhere instigates a
signal of insecurity for India. Whether it is CPEC or increasing Pakistan-Russia
ties, or it is the US refusal to tow the anti-Pakistan Indian line, Indian
insecurity accrues disproportionately.
India suffers the twin-frustrations of catch & match; frustration at the
inability to catch and match economic and military superiority of China while at
the same time frustration at being matched and caught by Pakistan in military
prowess. Chinese superiority aggravates her inferiority and Pakistan’s surge
attenuates her superiority, a situation not in her control. The outcome is
conception of self-induced insecurity with obvious injurious repercussions for
the entire region.
Indian insecurity is domino affected. The international uproar about the specter
of Islamic terrorism rides Indian nerves also. She sees Pakistan in the prism of
terror only. Right from a minor incident to a major disaster, the soul of
Pakistan and its agencies are conveniently the first to be blamed. To malign and
demonize Pakistan, India generates, propagates and expands phenomenal anti and
counter Pakistan effort. The mantra of Pakistan as the terror hub has adversely
affected Indian senses and the perception of Pakistan threat has become part of
her nature.
India borrows and imports its insecurity also. Tracking on the trails of Israel
as an occupant and usurper of rights and freedom, India suffers the same
nightmare; resistance and the burden of guilt. This guilt instigated insecurity
translates into arrogance and violence.
The media has also plays a vital role in generating, aggravating and deepening
Indian insecurity. Pakistan bashing and ghosting is the only measure and scale
of media patriotism. The more one can loath and bash Pakistan, the more
patriotic one is. Instant hypes created, distorted opinions are generated and
Pakistan peril augmented to further deepen and widen the insecurity.
Closure of other channels of communication between Pakistan and India leaves the
media as the only channel, owner and controller of communication across the
border. The media tends to its own interest by generating and conveying tunes of
anguish and distrust enslaving the government and the populace in defining their
reactions, opinions and policies. This media induced and aggravated insecurity
breeds hatred and breathes malice of arrogance.
The first casualty of Indian arrogance is the beautiful valley of Kashmir bathed
in blood. Events all over the world clearly indicate that force cannot suppress,
fight and defeat the power of legitimacy. Although there may be fleeting
success, the will of the people is the ultimate victor. If many others, far more
potent, resourceful and advanced powers have failed in the quest to subdue the
resolve for freedom; Indian chances of success are surely infinitesimal. Despite
this, arrogance continues to drive India on the path of suppressing the Kashmirs’
right to self-determination. This is the blindness and ignorance of arrogance.
The second and much bigger casualty of the insecurity induced arrogance is the
region. The prevalence of hegemonistic mindset prevented the hosting of the
Islamabad SAARC conference harmed none but the people of the region form moving
a step closer in working for regional prosperity, at least theoretically. And
yet on a bigger canvass the design to counter China compels it to become the
conduit of international schematics to the region and thus simmering it
perpetually.
Cricket and culture are great and exclusive communions of the region. The
marvelous Indo-Pak cricketing enthralled not only the region but also the entire
world. If India cherish the memories of Lahore, Pakistan remembers heroics at
Bangalore. Competition at its peak, sportsmanship at its best, rivalry at its
zenith, all exclusive features of the two sides, have evaporated and replaced by
burning arrows flying across the borders. Yet another casualty is the dancing
Asian hockey, that has disappeared. The melodies and tunes, which were perpetual
and beyond frontiers have all suffered an asphyxiating death. Arrogance burns
both to ashes.
Breaking and uniting, separation and integration, combinations and permutations
are human life and history. “Time and patience”, as says Kutozov in War and
Peace, are the greatest healers. The reality of partition has to be accepted and
the scars of the breakup healed. Arrogance and insecurity keeps the wound
bleeding and keeps the region burning.
Heal thy wounds and make the region and the world beautiful, India. Identify and
recognize thy insecurities and address thy arrogance. You take one step of trust
and thy neighbors will take many more.
The region can also be part of amelioration. Firstly, say no to tit-for-tat for
there are no winners in obstinacy and it is more of a self-destruction.
Secondly, let the streams flow. If they are closed from one end, the others must
not close their ends for drips and drops have the power to make new channels and
mature to streams. Finally, India is a reality of great potential, beautiful
cultures and big might. Grant her, her due status and accord her, her due place
for tolerance, respect and love begets nothing but the same. (ENDS)
(The writer is freelance columnist, based in Islamabad)