Brij Bhardwaj
The need for national unity is necessary at all times but it acquires paramount importance when the country is facing serious threats to its integrity from hostile neighbours. India at present faces a serious challenge on Western front where Pakistan is waging a proxy war with the help of local militants. The activities of Kashmir militants backed by some who have come from across the line of control has claimed lives in hundreds and normal life has been disrupred in Kashmir for over a year.
The militants who in the past attacked paramilitary forces or politicians belonging to mainstream parties have now made local police officials their target and even an army officer on leave was kidnapped by them and killed. The result is that militancy in Kashmir has reached dangerous levels. There is no attempt to diffuse this challenge politically or by starting a dialogue. Para Military forces and army are doing their best to meet this challenge but are finding going tough in the absence of any political support. They have not only to fight the militants but also contain the challenge of civilian population in every encounter. Stone pelting mobs appear suddenly to help the cornered militants to escape during encounters
On the Eastern front China is becoming equally aggressive. It has tried to capture strategic area which provides a link between the mainland and North East region. China has so far refused to resolve this issue through talks and warned that if Indian troops did not withdraw they would face a humiliating defeat as was the case in 1962 war. Chinese not only claim large portion of Indian territory, but are also threatening that the efforts to resolve the border dispute will receive a major setback in case India did not withdraw.
Chinese hostility is also shown in international forums where it has blocked India’s entry into Nuclear supply group or attempts to declare terrorists like Hafeez Sayeed as international terrorists on the list of United Nations. China is not only backing Pakistan in international forums but is also supplying them hardware for Air Force, army and navy. Pakistan is a major partner in China attempt to build roads and port to link Central Asia .
Under the circumstances India has no option but to prepare for dual threat from Pakistan and China. Such a situation has been visualized but the question is are we prepared for it. There is urgent need to upgrade our forces which are running short of equipment Air Force is running with poor availability of fighter planes while Navy program to acquire submarines is running well behind schedule. There is urgent need to put process of acquisition for defence forces on fast track.
At the same time need for national unity cannot be over-emphasized. At present serious threats exist in Kashmir, and North East. In states like Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh there is threat from Maoists while agitation for Gorkhaland in Darjeeling in West Bengal has created a dangerous situation. Besides these challenges and threats we are also finding that divisive forces raising their head in the name of cow protection which has divided people in Hindi heartland in states of U.P, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Cow vigilante groups are creating problems even in States like Assam The result is that when all energies should be directed towards meeting the threats facing us from countries like Pakistan and China, serious law and order issues are becoming a serious challenge. This has not only created tensions, but also created a feeling of insecurity among the minority community which feels that attempts to put restrictions on what people can eat or how they dress are uncalled for.
The activities of Cow Vigilante groups have been condemned by many including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but on ground things have not changed. The attacks on people carrying cattle across the states continue and lynching has become a norm instead of being an exception. The police forces in States seems to be more keen to check cruelty to animals particularly cows instead of punishing those guilty of killing human beings. One hopes, the seriousness of threat to the country and challenges posed by China and Pakistan will be realised as it would be difficult to meet it in the absence of national unity. (Brij Bhardwaj is a veteran journalist and commentator)