The Hindu : A dangerous mix

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 18, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - News Analysis

A dangerous mix

By K. K. Katyal

Has it occurred to anyone in the ruling establishment that the country could not undergo two experiences at the same time — an emergency situation on the borders, on the one hand, and a widespread agitation, coupled with an acrimonious controversy, on the other? The two are mutually exclusive.

If the country faces a serious threat from outside, warranting heavy deployment of troops and hectic diplomatic activity, there should be no place for an agitation by any section of the people.

Conversely, if the country could afford the luxury of vociferous public protest campaigns, there is no case for a military build-up on the borders. And yet we witnessed this incongruity and the resultant ugly spectacles now for weeks.

Let us take each of the two cases one by one. First, the agitation for a temple at Ayodhya on a land, which is the subject of litigation. Its sponsors, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal as also the BJP, the head of the ruling coalition, belong to the same `parivar'. In the judgment of the coalition Government, of which the BJP is the biggest constituent, the threat posed by the `jehadi' outfits, based in Pakistan, some of which were responsible for the December 13 attack on Parliament House, needed to be neutralised and cross-border terrorism dealt with effectively. No sane person would dispute that, though opinions differed on whether the massive military build-up was the correct response, and even if it was, whether its continuance now for the third month was called for.

Assuming for the sake of argument that the high-pitch vigilance needed to be kept up, was there not a case for dealing severely with any activity that distracts the Government's attention? Had the agitation been conducted by some elements outside the `parivar', they would have been dubbed unpatriotic and guilty of sedition.

However, in the present case, the large-scale distraction has been viewed with equanimity and its sponsors were sought to be restrained not by threats of punitive action, but by soft, sweet persuasion.

Involved in the process were the highest in the Government. It was a disgusting spectacle — the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Home Affairs and Defence beseeching them, through special envoys and telephone calls to refrain from violating the law.

The agitating leaders had a free access to the Prime Minister's house and the Raj Bhavan in Lucknow.

Though they piped down finally, there was no sign of remorse on their part. On the contrary, they bragged about their victory and heaped ridicule on the upright officials who sought to discharge their duty and enforce the law of the land.

Now the second case — of the troops on the borders. From all accounts, they maintained a high morale, of which the nation could be proud. Our politicians make liberal use of their valour, their heroic conduct and sacrifices in political slogan mongering. But what is the message the troops get from within the country, from the people, political parties and politicians?

It is not hard to imagine the disgust with which the jawans view the antics of the agitationists. The armed forces could not but have an extremely poor opinion of that brand of "leaders'' who revel in organising agitations and protests at a time regarded critical by the Government.

The `Ram sevaks' talk of restoring the lost glory of the nation but, by their actions, are instrumental in destroying not only the past heritage but also the present-day reputation. It was with great difficulty that India's image as the land of snake charmers and rope-trick wallahs was rubbed off. Thanks to our experts and scientists, we became known as the country with the largest reservoir of technological talent, as the topper in information technology.

In the last few days, however, pictures flashed by the electronic media or conveyed by newspapers through graphic accounts projected us as the medieval-age people, engaged in sterile controversies and quaint activities. Image-wise, we have been pushed back by a century.

At a time when there is intense revulsion all over the world towards the activities of religious extremists and fundamentalists, when `madrasas' are seen, not as dispensers of religious education, but as the breeding ground for `jehadi' outfits, fanaticism and bigotry found full play in parts of India.

We have been talking of keeping religion separate from politics, but now are keen on mixing the two. Had these tendencies been confined to fringe elements, one would not take a grim view. But when top persons in the Government are a party to this process, it is a case of serious concern. Then there is the danger of `Ram sevaks' turning fascists, as shown by the hooliganism in the Orissa Assembly building.

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