Gnashing teeth. Rattling sabres. Gattling guns. Anger, followed by revenge. The mood of the nation. “Bravehearts” in Mumbai and across the country, post 26/11, are baying for the blood of the enemy – Pakistan. Capt Bharat Verma, Editor of the “Indian Defence Review” says that we should “Take the war to the enemy” – meaning Pakistan.
Film stars, celebrities and Army Generals on numerous TV talk shows squarely blame Pakistan’s ISI and our own “inept” politicians for what happened in Mumbai. With gusto and bravado these “civilians” who have little or no contact with the army and its civil administration in the 62 Cantonments of India, suddenly want to hand the reins of those who reign, to the NSG commandos. How naïve can we get? Capt Verma advocates a “surgical strike” at “enemy camps” deep in Pakistan territory, to “eliminate” the terrorist once and for all. I suspect that Capt Verma is a retired officer, who wants somebody else’s son to fight and die in his proxy war. Whenever I hear anybody talk of war, my first question to them is “Is your son in the army? Are you ready to sacrifice his life for the nation? If not, think again.”
On the other hand Maj. Gen Vombatkere VSM (Retd) former Additional Director General, Discipline and Vigilance, Army Headquarters, New Delhi, warns of the dangers of jingoistic war mongering. He says that there is no guarantee of surgical precision, when attacking a civilian target. There are bound to be heavy causalities of innocents, which war mongers rather casually refer to as “collateral damage”. Let alone deep strikes into enemy territory, it took 3 days for 200 commandos to eliminate just 2 terrorists holed up in the Taj Hotel at Mumbai. Even then they could not prevent collateral damage to life and property.
What of the other consequences, even if the mission is successful, asks Gen Vombatkere? What will be the reaction of the international community, which at the moment is sympathetic to India, and is turning the screws on Pakistan? What will be the consequences of a surgical strike? Will Pakistan take it lying down? Will it not result in military confrontation between two nuclear powers? Will there be any winners in a nuclear war, which destroys a hundredfold more than it saves? As Arvind Mahindra gallantly wrote in “The Times of India” – how many Bravehearts were around when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed during the Second World War? Let them check out with Man Gen Eustace D’souza (Retd) who was there shortly after the bombings. Let them read the experiences of the late Fr Peter Arrupe SJ (former Superior General of the Jesuits) who ministered to the victims of these horrendous attacks. Let them ask Gp Capt Cheshire, who piloted the Enola Gray, that dropped those bombs. He repented by founding the Cheshire Homes for the handicapped and destitute.
A heavily painted Simi Grewal, who bared all in the movie “Siddarth”, now bares her fangs to emulate Bush in the war against terror. Not Bush, the most unpopular man in the world today! Has Bush succeeded in Iraq or Afghanistan? Did America earlier succeed in Vietnam, or the Soviets in Eastern Europe or Afghanistan? War is a serious matter, and the consequences are fraught with even greater danger.
Other Bravehearts have held up Israel as a country that has withstood terror. Do they have peace? No. I had visited Israel (the Holy Land for Christians) on pilgrimage in 1980. It was swarming with army commandos. There was palpable fear in the air. Some would refer to Israel’s pre-emptive strike at Entebbe airport, Uganda, about 40 years ago. That was a very long time ago. Military tactics have advanced considerably since then.
In war, and especially in pre-emptive strikes, surprise is the most important element. With electronic surveillance, satellite imaging and an IT enabled world, the element of surprise no longer exists. You cannot “hide” troop movements, or the presence of enemy aircraft. Fire a missile, and in five minutes those that matter know all about it. In fact, warfare has become redundant. The role of the Defence Forces today is précised that – to defend, as you can no longer attack.
This is the crux of the matter. We need to concentrate on defending our country, our social fabric and economic interests, rather than tilting at windmills, a la Don Quixote. How can we defend and protect our national interests?
This time the public has found a convenient scapegoat in the much maligned politician. But who are these worthies, if not the ones that we ourselves choose? Some will say they are not our representatives, because we don’t exercise our franchise. If one doesn’t have the guts and gumption to stand in a line on voting day, then one has forfeited one’s right to criticise. I have another question for Mumbai’s Bravehearts. Where were they when Raj Thackeray’s goons were attacking North Indians? Where were their candles, banners and human chains? Is our bravery seen only when the enemy is out of sight?
For a start, could TV channels please stop having film stars, cricketers and fashion designers as opinion makers? The cricketers of course are back at what they are best known for – having a ball of a time, when the nation has been stumped by terror strikes and an economic crisis.
Oh cricket. During the recent ODI in my hometown Kanpur, 6000 cops were deployed. If the cop’s cup is brimming over with protecting cricketers and VIPs, who will protect society? Unfortunately, “policing” today is another name for “collection”. Take your cut, and allow the vehicle to pass. Never mind if the cargo is contraband, counterfeit or weaponry. Corruption at all levels has reduced us to a vulnerable state. Our “intelligence failures” are because our intelligence is obsessed with self interest.
It is time that the Bravehearts become responsible citizens; participating in the political process, promoting communal harmony and eradicating corruption. May Mahatma Gandhi’s path of satya and ahimsa be our guide. JAI HIND.
DECEMBER 2008
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