United They Stand...

 

 

 

INDIA’S diplomatic offensive post Operation Sindoor is reverberating in various parts of the globe as Members of Parliament are communicating the country’s position against cross-border terrorism and exposing Pakistan. Since the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam to kill innocent Hindu tourists, India has shown exceptional unity across sections in the war against Pakistan’s terror tool. Not falling to the communal rivalry ploy envisaged by Pakistan, the entire country stood behind the Centre to avenge the Pahalgam killings. A collective grief shaped India’s military and diplomatic response to Pakistan’s misadventure.

 

The baton now is being taken ahead by the seven all-party delegations conveying New Delhi’s message in one voice. It is a remarkable moment in India’s political history, serving many lessons for the future if taken in the right spirit by all parties once the euphoria tones down. The Centre deserves full credit for taking the entire political community in the country on board to send across India’s message on zero tolerance for terrorism. It is a wise move to show the world India’s unity in diversity and make a bold statement that national security is paramount for every individual or party despite having different political affiliations and alignments. Times of crisis call for such bold steps asserting India’s strength as one big family.

 

As the diplomatic delegations sensitise the world on Indian position on Operation Sindoor, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and AIMIM chief Asaddudin Owaisi have emerged as poster boys of the exercise. Both the leaders have ripped Pakistan apart with their articulate, precise and stinging observations. They have been hailed by the entire political community for rising to the country’s cause despite being in the opposition. Even the harshest of critics of the duo are on the forefront singing hosannas of their nationalism. It is a welcome departure from the slinging match seen each day on various forums among political leaders and their supporters. The point of intrigue here is whether the show of unity has the power to transform the larger thinking on having a political consensus on national issues including security, economy and communal harmony. Of course, it is a utopian idea to harbour in a milieu consistently spoiled by elements with a vile agenda to foster hatred on religious and caste lines.

 

Though wishful thinking, there is also a possibility of constructive thinking on these lines if parties and their supporters shun their myopic views. There are many critical issues apart from national security which call for collective thinking and action. A national unity government during the times of war or similar crisis has its own importance for a limited period but what the current united front has triggered is creation of a similar mechanism to work on subjects like economy, education and skill development. With the focus on a bigger national good and taking larger benefits to the society, such a united platform might bring something really unique to the table, helping India enhance its global status and geopolitical heft. Though it looks a fresh idea based on the fantastic cohesiveness parties have shown overseas for India’s cause, the thought of societal good is, in fact, the core of parliamentary democracy and a basic duty of people’s representatives.

 

There is nothing new the country is now seeking in realms other than national security. And yet, it looks like a utopian idea which completes the irony of politics! The pulls and pressures of electoral politics, adherence to rigid thinking, wrong interpretation of ideologies or total removal from realities of the political class have remained major factors for this irony. Now, the agreement this class has shown on Operation Sindoor has handed an opportunity to have a fresh look at the entire gamut and revisit the core of a healthy democracy. It is easier said than done as the change society is seeking in the political atmosphere in the country entails a drastic shift in thinking by every stakeholder, the public included. Electoral politics is too overbearing and can easily clog rational thinking. It ostensibly leads to ways of exploiting various age-old fault-lines in the society, in the process widening the gap between communities. It invariably results in segregation of classes and masses, depending upon their status and affiliations.

 

And it also clouds sensible thinking with a characteristic urge to please some sections and some masters. How clogged thinking on a sensitive subject can result in hubris was aptly reflected in the “sister of their own” statement by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah for Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. It was absolutely insensitive and insulting, demeaning a decorated military officer. No amount of apology would make up for the blunder by a public representative who is supposed to rise over pettiness. Many of the same ilk keep vitiating the atmosphere for the sake of cheap political gains and fleeting publicity.

 

The motormouth Rajya Sabha MP of Shiv Sena (UBT), Sanjay Raut, is another loose cannon firing absurd statements at will to further widen political rivalries. He had the temerity to call Operation Sindoor as “a failure”, exposing his flawed mentality and diabolical thinking. Until these elements are reined in firmly by their respective leadership, the consensus platform being visualised for furthering India’s cause would break on the first day of return of the all-party delegations from abroad. The challenge is in overcoming pettiness which has remained the bane of party rivalries -- inter and intra. This malaise is on display in Congress’ reaction to Tharoor’s speeches abroad for India’s cause. Talk about unity.