The Hindu : We must see through BJP's jingoism: Bardhan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 28, 2002

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We must see through BJP's jingoism: Bardhan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 27. The Communist Party of India has said the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership's "real game" behind the "war talk" is to make people "forget its sullied and tainted reputation and gain some legitimacy" in the people's eye.

"We should see through its (BJP) jingoism and chauvinism and not fall a prey to what actually is its politics and not any call for national salvation,'' the CPI general secretary, A. B. Bardhan, said in the latest issue of the party organ, New Age, commenting on the latest situation and arguing as to why war is not the option.

The CPI leader suggested that New Delhi pursue a diplomatic offensive, undertake a vigorous campaign to mobilise international opinion in India's favour (on cross-border terrorism), "even though the Gujarat happenings with the BJP's active help and participation, its genocidal attacks against the minorities have adversely affected India's image abroad and lowered India's credibility,'' he said.

Mr. Bardhan also said that India should take steps that to tighten the economic screws on Pakistan and isolate it economically, but in the same breath dismissed as "foolish" the talk of abrogation of the Indus water treaty.

On the question of a limited war, the CPI leader such a war could not be waged since it would invariably escalate into a full-scale war. He said few armed conflicts in recent times were between either heavily armed country or countries on one side and a relatively weak country on the other. "These countries have been separated by long distances. The stronger side has therefore been able to dictate the targets to be attacked, the duration of the conflict and so on. Even in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it is necessary to remember that it is America which stands behind Israel, and not only gives all political help but also material help.''

Drawing a parallel with the Kargil conflict would be "wide off the mark'' since it was fought on Indian soil, with the aim of throwing out Pakistani infiltrators who had dug in on our side of the border.

"We were not only entitled to launch a full-scale offensive against these Pakistani regulars, but did so with success,'' the article said.

He said even then India took care not to cross the LoC and the demand of the hawks was to do so now.

"The two situations are obviously not the same, though it is useful on occasions to remind the Pakistan military about the drubbing they got at Kargil, and the isolation they faced then,'' he said.

Similarly, he said, talk of nuclear deployment should be stopped.

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