For the past few days, the nation has witnessed a sad spectacle on television screens. Veterans of many wars and ‘armchair generals’, who have never fired a gunshot, have unanimously advised the government not to ‘wait and watch’ till our nose is bloodied again and swiftly retaliate to teach Pakistan a lesson that it will never forget. These hawks have bared their talons and sharpened the beaks, but once again the doves (who claim to comprise the majority) have prevailed. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the defensive (due to the obvious and glaring security lapse at Uri) did make some noises about the ‘uses of knee-jerk reactions’, but since then his valour, it seems, has been vanquished by discretion.
Our diplomats are gloating over the mortal verbal blows they have dealt to the enemy. If one is to believe their claims, Pakistan has been fully and finally isolated—it stands alone as a pariah in the international community. The body language of ‘crestfallen’ Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has been overanalysed in Indian media but, mind you, no nation has actually taken any concrete step that could hurt the rogue state. Introduction of a resolution in US Congress to declare Pakistan a terrorist state appears more like a diversionary tactic—a pressure release valve—to get a trusted ally off the hook, even if temporarily.
Those responsible for safeguarding the nation keep assuring us that we have capabilities that can be deployed to avenge any injury caused by a dastardly enemy. These statements are beginning to sound more and more like empty boasts. Ever since the National Security Adviser, with a legendary reputation as an uber under-cover agent, assumed office, the nation has waited for results—some ‘deniable’ cover action undertaken by non-state that conveys the unmistakable message to the Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies that India can pay back in the same coin.
The patience of Indians is wearing out. While none will disagree that revenge is a dish best served cold, let us not forget that if there is an inordinate delay in retaliation, it will not look like retaliation at all. It’s more likely that the world at large will view this as an offensive act—provocative and aggressive. We have already let Pathankot be forgotten. It was this lapse that has encouraged Pakistan to raise the ante. The sooner we rid ourself of the delusion that Pakistan is running around helter skelter as a ‘headless chicken’ ever since PM Narendra Modi mentioned the B word, the better off we will be. Pakistan’s violation of human rights in Balochistan, Sindh and other provinces have continued unabated and its two powerful patrons, the US and China, have not flinched from shielding it against any meaningful censor. Nor are Islamic nations suddenly going to shun it in the UN and other international fora.
Where does that leave us? War is never an easy option. But nor should it be forgotten that war is continuation of policy through other means. From Tzun Tzu to Clausewitz and Mao, this dictum has been proved. When war is being thrust upon us, we have no choice. 1971 has faded from the shared memories of this nation. Before Indira Gandhi decided to intervene in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh, India had suffered severely from the ravages caused by an undeclared war—an enforced influx of refugees pushed out by genocidal butchers in Pakistani Army uniform. The situation today isn’t very different. From Pathankot to Uri, the trespasses and invasions have gone unpunished. This has only emboldened the enemy. We have hypnotised ourselves into believing that confidence-building measures and ongoing dialogue, regardless of loss of lives of soldiers and civilians, is the only way to lasting peace on the subcontinent. After each bloody assault, we go into shock. By the time we come out of numbness and grief, we react like zombies. Instead of return fire or hot pursuit, we brandish rhetorical rapiers—We shall show ‘what we can do at the time and place of our choice’. Not only diplomats but soldiers too begin to explain the nuances of a ‘calibrated’ response.
Mind goes back to the days of Mahabharata. Sri Krishna had embarked on a mission to the Kaurava court to persuade arrogant and ill-advised Duryodhana to part with no more but five villages to placate the Pandavas. The offer was rebuffed, and unprecedented slaughter followed. This failure, which continues to inspire Kathakali dancers, highlights that nothing can be the limits of diplomacy. Appeasement and olive branches can never be a guarantee of peace. One can only negotiate with reasonable, responsible adversaries. Terrorists and rogues only understand the language of brute force—superior and overwhelming. ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ may sound like a return to stone age, but the harsh reality of 21st century is that India and Pakistan are living in different time zones. Pakistan has chosen to live in a time warp and opted for a legal system and dogmatic fundamentalist mindset that perpetuates a self-serving regime at home and obstinately refuses to engage with a neighbour differently inclined. What is worse and extremely dangerous is that the cancer it suffers from threatens to spread out, putting us at grave risk. Surgery remains the only option after all other remedies have failed.
The nation has waited too long. The government has had enough time since it assumed office to ‘calibrate’ its response and weigh various options. It’s time to admit that its ‘policy of peaceful overtures’ has failed miserably. The Kashmir policy lies in tatters. Covert or overt,
declared or undeclared, time has come to exercise the military option. Time is running out and electoral considerations can’t be allowed to interfere with issues of war and peace. Let not nuclear blackmail emasculate us. If war it is, so be it!
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