Editorial (Appearing in People's Democracy of Dec. 30, 2001) Tackle Terrorist Threat Without War
The possibility of a war with Pakistan is still being seriously considered by the BJP-led government. Pressure for military strikes across the border is building up. Both India and Pakistan have mobilised their armed forces and deployed them in forward positions alongwith heavy military equipment. Heavy shelling and firing is taking place across the line of control and the international border. Leading the cries for war are a section of the BJP leaders and the RSS. They are aided and abetted by some of the strategic experts and sections of the media. The argument put forth after the December 13 terrorist attack on the Indian parliament is that the terrorist organisations based in Pakistan must be attacked and annihilated for ending such terrorist activities. More than the need to isolate and suppress the extremist groups indulging in terrorist violence, the rhetoric is directed at the existence of Pakistan itself. According to the RSS paper, Organiser "The time has come to solve the problem that is Pakistan forever and for all". The Organiser editorial argues that no measure short of an outright war to destroy Pakistan will do. In true fascist style it calls for stamping out any opposition to this war mongering by asking the government to "crush any act of terrorism, intellectual or otherwise." The RSS obviously sees a golden opportunity to whip up war hysteria for its communal aims. The CPI(M) has strongly argued against the use of military force as a response to the December 13 attack on parliament. The investigations have identified the Jaish-e-Mohammed as the perpetrators of the attack and the armed squad comprised persons from Pakistan. The Indian government has a strong case to present before the world community. It should demand that the United Nations initiate steps against the terrorist organisations based in Pakistan. The Security Council has adopted resolution 1373 after the September 11 attacks in the USA, which provides the framework for acting against such terrorist attacks. After the removal of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan by the US military operations, the focus is very much on the extremist-fundamentalist groups existing in Pakistan. There is a favourable international situation in which India can effectively mobilise opinion to pressurise President Musharraf to take firm steps to curb the terrorist outfits. The fact that Musharraf in his first statement had to state that he would take action if evidence is produced about involvement of any person based in Pakistan shows that he has to respond to international scrutiny. Backed by international sanction, India's demand for action against those guilty of the attacks will get strengthened. Any failure to act will put the Pakistani regime in dock. Instead of pursuing such a course, any military action, however limited, can lead to a full-scale war. An Indo-Pakistan war will mean the focus on terrorist activities originating from Pakistan will be sidetracked. The world will see only an Indo-Pakistan conflict fraught with the danger of a nuclear confrontation. Given the military balance of strength between the two countries, a war will result in a stalemate with serious casualties in terms of lives and economic resources. A war will also not lead to success in eliminating the terrorist groups. On the contrary, the fundamentalist forces who are isolated in Pakistan today will be able to stage a comeback riding on the anti-India feelings generated. The diplomatic and political steps to be taken to force the Pakistani regime to delegitimise and curb the activities of the fundamentalist groups is the best course of action. The whole country will support such measures to bring the purveyors of terror to book. The Vajpayee government must desist from giving in to the bellicose war cries of its ideological mentor. end To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
