In celebration of India

The Great Indian nuclear debate followed Pokharan-II. Should India have used its nuclear option? The Ayes’ have a point of view. The Noes’ have their own. The hawks have one. So do the doves, and there is no possibility of a consensus. Debate suspended, till the Buddha smiles again. The Buddha will be made to smileagain.

For years we played in the disarmament arena, won laurels, then surrendered our platforms to new masters, to nuclear club-owners. Erstwhile advocates are in the witness box. The erstwhile accused sit in judgment. Let us boast, be proud that we are a developed nation. We qualify for membership in the nuclear club. And we want credit card facilities. It is our birthright.

Slogans change. Disarm and acquire moral power status,’ that used to be our slogan. Disarm and be a moral nuclear power,’ that’s our slogan now. When times change, slogans change. We must keep up with the times. Everything changes. Isn’t it doublespeak? Of course not. It’s about security concerns. Concerns innocent of hypocrisy.

We understand that deterrence is peaceful coexistence. Deterrence is stockpiling. In 1974, when the Buddha was made to smile for the first time, there was no debate, no seminars, no unsettling questions. Those in power could keep us silent. Silence was a deterrent then. Silence was refuge then.Then, no one asked about the colour of the bomb. Now it has colour and religion. But no, it is a secular bomb.

Let them disarm first. We made the bomb because they made it first. We shall not use it first. But if they use it first we too will use it first. We will be first together. Neck and neck. No room for victor or vanquished.

Then why arm at all? We are in the era of globalisation. We shall not be left behind. To be nuclear is the in thing. To be non-violent is disarmingly quaint. Let Gandhi be banned and Godse reinstated. Love thy neighbour.

Remember Panchsheel. We are non-aligned — the bomb is compelling evidence. Look, ASEAN has not condemned us, only deplored’ our proclivities. SAARC did not express any apprehension. It’s proof of acceptance of our policy, our new status!

Victory to our diplomacy. The bomb is for development. The nuclear haves want us to disarm and disband, to sign on dotted lines. Let have-nots remain have-nots. Nuclear colonisation would continue. Nuclear imperialistswould reign. It is their colonial right. The nuclear option is their right. Approach on bended knee, they order, after their manner of old.

Remember, sanctions are constructive’ chastisement, part of constructive’ dialogue. All these years, our slogans went unheeded, unheard. We shall remain non-aligned. We want membership in the nuclear club. We want to develop nuclear arms. Please listen: freedom is our birthright. The poet said, Gandhiji had only one disciple — himself. Everyone wants everyone to be a disciple of Gandhi. Except himself.

We have Gandhi advocates but no Gandhis. Not any more.

The cornerstone of the Martyr’s Samadhi is chipped. A symbolic act. In Ayodhya, another symbol stands in ruins, vandalised. Ishwar Allah tero nam. And thus have we celebrated our fiftieth year of Independence. Satyameva jayate.