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Journalism of Courage
Now that the dust has settled in the Pokharan desert, it is time to consider the implications of the dangerous course plotted by the governments of India and Pakistan. Sober reflection and not nationalistic claptrap is what we require.
Political analysts have already told you all you need to know. What they have not explained is why the ordinary citizen in Delhi or Islamabad was dancing to the nuclear tune. How and why did the deafening sound of explosions awaken national pride and national sensibilities? Why the euphoria over a seemingly intangible gain? Was this 8220;explosion of self-esteem8221;, an idea invented by a newspaper editor, an expression of alienation and deep-rooted frustration over the non-performance of previous and existing political regimes? If not, why are we insensitive to the enormous cost and consequences of an arms race in South Asia? Why, in the name of nationalism and patriotism, do governments and sections of the media lose sight of the more pressing socio-economic problems?
Maybe,the 19th century Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib would have brushed aside these questions and said: The world is like a playground of children/A tamasha unfolds itself before me from morning to dusk.
We are truly a great nation with a rich heritage, bequeathed by men of piety, art, culture and literature. Poverty and destitution apart, we have managed to create a pluralist and democratic society. That is why we command world-wide respect, though cynics like Nirad Chaudhuri and V.S. Naipaul may still decry our gains.
Why tarnish this image? At any rate, who are we trying to impress by flexing our muscles? If the intention is to secure a berth on the Security Council, one must ask whether it is worthwhile joining a debating society that has invariably acted against the interests of the Third World? Who knows, the gamble may pay off, but at what cost?
As we enter the next millennium, it would be silly to ignore the world-wide currents of change sweeping across Europe. Starting with the collapse of communismin the countries of the former Warsaw Pact, followed by the dramatic fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany, the political landscape of this continent has changed in just a few years.
Take Germany. As past enmities 8212; ideological and otherwise 8212; recede into the background, more than 80 million Germans surge ahead to establish their monetary, institutional and diplomatic ascendancy in Europe. The emotional and psychological trauma of the Nazi regime does not deter them from building a powerful and unified nation. The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin symbolised the division of the country, today, it is a vibrant symbol of unity and progress.
The end of communism also paved the way for the Treaty of Maastricht and the commitment by the member states, save England and Denmark, to introduce a single currency by 1999. Past rivalries and prolonged hostilities were set aside to foreground a European agenda and set in motion an irreversible move towards real federation. In the process, thehistory of Europe is being re-written for future generations. Today, the European Union represents the largest single unit in the world economy. It has a GNP of about 6 trillion, compared with 5 million for the US and 3 trillion for Japan. Its total population, now over 360 million, approaches that of the United States and Japan combine.
Why state the obvious? Merely to underline the reasons why we should do our utmost to bury the past and start on a clean slate. If we cannot draw lessons from Vietnam, Germany, or Korea, we must learn from our own experiences since Independence. Regardless of Pakistan8217;s repeated aggression against India and its nefarious role in Punjab and Kashmir, the country8217;s leadership, notwithstanding its political complexion, should demonstrate greater sagacity, wisdom and statesmanship in breaking the present impasse. Having joined the nuclear club, now is the time to initiate a peace process. Having proven our scientific, technological and military superiority, this is the momentto resolve our outstanding disputes with our neighbours, China and Bangladesh included. The 8220;explosion of self-esteem8221; must not stand in the way of a meaningful dialogue.
I realise this is easier said than done. But, then, what is the way out? Should we carry the burden of the past and fritter away our energies and limited resources? Should we remain in a state of military readiness and celebrate this mindless military build-up? No, no, we cannot allow this to go on forever. Enough is enough.
I don8217;t have much of a blueprint, but I believe that a handful of bureaucrats and military 8220;experts8221; should not be the arbiters of our destiny. Nor should we treat their definition and meaning of 8220;national security8221; as infallible. Instead, concerned and informed citizens should formulate their own ideas, monitor what is being said or done in the establishment to promote a particular world view, and warn the public about the dangers of a nuclear conflagration. This should be combined with a massive disarmamentcampaign to counter the self-styled custodians of 8220;national8221; interests and security. We cannot take responsibility for the rest of the world, but we can and should guarantee a nuclear-free South Asia for the generations to come.
In other words, it is imperative to initiate a national debate, pay heed to the voice of reason, and not get carried away by our own rhetoric. Those who dissent from the so-called national consensus must be allowed to speak and write. They are, after all, the only people who also stand for democracy and secularism. It is an unforgivable sin to question their credentials or their loyalty to the country.
This is not all. Time and time again the people of India and Pakistan must be reminded of their strong ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic bonds. People in Europe can travel without a visa and passport. Why can8217;t we create similar conditions in the subcontinent? For this to happen, we must explore and widen areas of unity and co-operation in our private and publicdiscourse.
Let me join the poet Ali Sardar Jafari in echoing the following plea:
Tum aao Gulshan-i Lahore se chaman-bardosh
Hum ayen Subh-i Banaras ki raushani lekar
Himalaya ki hawaon ki taazgi lekar
Phir uske baad ye puchain ke kaun dushman hai?
You come covered with flowers from the Garden of Lahore/ We bring to you the light and radiance of the morning of Banaras,/ the freshness of the winds of Himalaya/ And then we ask who the enemy is.
