I am prompted to write this piece by an article I have just read which questions why India is contemptuous of its soldiers and continues to have dialogue with Pakistan. There is a comment in the article about how "an entire state government machinery can be put on guard to protect a commercial venture of an individual" (the context: the release of Shahrukh Khan's movie 'My Name Is Khan' being held to ransom by violent elements due to remarks made by him in favour of Pakistani cricketers playing in India) while our soldiers are regularly disrespected by the Indian Government with the state kowtowing to Pakistan.
I do believe that India remains inconsistent in its approach to Pakistan and offers an easy, soft target to external perpetrators of terror. That said, while we do need to strengthen our response, fighting the battle within has gained utmost importance for me. When we are weak internally, we cannot hope to stand up to external threats - and we don't need external terror to destroy us when we are so hell bent on doing the job ourselves.
Unfortunately, our institutions are failing us - be it the executive, the legislature or the judiciary...and now the fourth estate, our media. Our very social fabric is in danger of being torn up by vested interests. India in the 21st Century finds itself in a cultural and political morass. We need to stand up to the hooligans and let it be known that as a society, we aren't going to be held to ransom....and if it takes an entire state government machinery to do it...so be it!
I do believe that India remains inconsistent in its approach to Pakistan and offers an easy, soft target to external perpetrators of terror. That said, while we do need to strengthen our response, fighting the battle within has gained utmost importance for me. When we are weak internally, we cannot hope to stand up to external threats - and we don't need external terror to destroy us when we are so hell bent on doing the job ourselves.
Unfortunately, our institutions are failing us - be it the executive, the legislature or the judiciary...and now the fourth estate, our media. Our very social fabric is in danger of being torn up by vested interests. India in the 21st Century finds itself in a cultural and political morass. We need to stand up to the hooligans and let it be known that as a society, we aren't going to be held to ransom....and if it takes an entire state government machinery to do it...so be it!
8 comments:
You could not have worded it in any better way. It rightfully addresses the angst that that one feels towards sensationalisation and trivialisation of grave issues that is being force-fed by shrieking media personnels day-in day-out.
It's been a while since I visited your blog. And I loved this piece. Hope you are doing well. Keep writing.
I wrote something on the very same lines. We did took a stand that day and we were not terrorized by the hooligans.
You write extremely well.
On the ambiguity from the government side, its mainly due to the mobocracy and comocracy we have in the name of democracy in India.
Things however are changing and the spirit of resilience is being increasingly demonstrated by the people, thanks to media in a way.
Thanks Rajat! I visited your blogs - a poet...interesting :).
I appreciate your views. Good to know that there are people like you around.
Thanks Sheeja! Did you send me a friend request on Facebook?
Yes. I did...
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