PRIME Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s appeal to people in general and youth in particular in Pakistan to come forward and end terrorism supported by their country’s government, naturally, has obviously been made out of good faith that a conscientious population can make a critical difference in democracy. A practical politician, Mr. Narendra Modi, of course, knows that such an appeal may not make much sense in the current conditions. Despite that, he chose to make the appeal because reports are trickling out of Pakistan in recent days that the common people of that country are fed up of their government’s approach to and stance on terrorism as a tool of State policy. May be, the Prime Minister seems to have felt, an appeal to the conscience of the Pakistani people may start melting the ice at least to some extent. It is obvious, the world will see this as a genuine and good gesture by the Indian leadership towards easing terror grip on the subcontinental affairs.

 

Let alone the propagandism of the Pakistani government, genuine reports are trickling out of that country suggesting that there is a growing discontent among common people about how the Pakistani government has handled the situation vis-a-vis India. Having seen and sensed the difference India has made to its own fortunes with positivism, increasing numbers of Pakistanis are now asking for a sensible approach by their government to relations with India in particular. They are reportedly asking their government to give up their sponsorship of terrorism and adopt a positive approach to governance and economic recovery.

 

Having realised this change -- no matter how subtle -- Mr. Narendra Modi appears to have decided to attempt an appeal to goodness of the common people of Pakistan. Even if some his appeal is able to create small ripples in Pakistan, the Prime Minister’s purpose would be more than served. There may not be an actual and immediate stoppage of terror sponsorship, but whatever stirring the appeal causes would be of much help in the longer to India leading a global war against terrorism. Those who realise the power of building a patient pressure on uncouth elements will appreciate the Prime Minister’s attempt. In the past ten years or so, a new crop of intellectuals has surfaced in Pakistan asking their government and countrymen to understand the importance of positivism as the greatest tool in nation-building. This increased awareness has not stemmed from the ground all of a sudden. For years and years, the common Pakistanis have been looking at India with certain sense of envy that just across the border, prosperity has been engaged in a dance of growth and development.

 

They also expect a similar stance by the Pakistani government as well so that the common people in that country would get a chance to live in a developed country in a secular and democratic system -- as has happened in India. Of course, in the current condition, both words (or concepts) -- secular and democratic -- have little value in Pakistan. Yet, Mr. Modi has chosen to make an appeal to the basic goodness of the Pakistani people in general and youth in particular to exert pressure on their government to give up the path of terrorism and follow the path of positivism and development that India has been practising all the time. The world will appreciate the Prime Minister’s appeal to the Pakistani people -- in sheer good faith. Of course, to expect a sudden change in the attitude of the average Pakistani people will be impractical. Yet, patient attempts in that direction must be made so that public opinion in Pakistan starts changing. Very astutely, the Prime Minister is trying to sense the direction in which winds are likely to blow in Pakistan, and is attempting to change popular perceptions in that country.