India Embarrassed

Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao

India spear- headed Non Aligned Movement (NAM) during the later part of last century. Under the distinguished leadership of former and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the movement took shape. Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia, President Sukarno of Indonesia, Legendary Egyptian President Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser ably contributed to the cause and the NAM took shape. Very soon, sizeable numbers of small and insignificant countries too joined the Organization and formed a common front so that their voice could be heard. Although this movement had great stalwarts, it did not make any significant change in world politics and super powers such as USA, USSR and powerful nation like China and other major European powers took hardly any notice of the activities of NAM. Infact John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State during the presidency of Dwight D Eisenhower of USA, on June 9, 1956 charged that Non Aligned Movement was a sin and that was greatly resented by NAM leaders. Dulles upset the leaders of several non-aligned countries when on June 9, 1956, he argued in one speech that “neutrality has increasingly become an obsolete and, except under very exceptional circumstances, it is an immoral and shortsighted conception." (1), Thus Non Aligned nations expected that they would not be drawn into various world conflicts. But sadly NO.

Another tragic part was that the nations as members of NAM also fought wars with each other and squabbled continuously that were against its principles. Most of the nations that became the members of the movement belonged to third world and suffered colonization at the hands of Western powers. They suffered from the euphoria of wronged nations and had the air of self proclaimed peace makers in the world. The movement has almost died with the death of the founding stalwarts although ceremonially now it exists for some periodical rituals and for occasional chest beating of self proclaimed achievements and drumming in praise the glory of the departed leaders. This however would not be palatable to old guard in India who laboriously toed the line of Jawaharlal Nehru all these years and continue to do same during their last leg.. They are not ready to accept that NAM is a dead horse now. The horse did not gallop even when it was in its prime with flowing mane. How can it gallop when it has mere skeletal remains now? (2)

With the latest rise of Terrorism in the world, the scenario has changed gravely. Although Non- aligned, India became the victim of Chinese invasion and Pakistan sponsored terrorism and has been fighting this evil for the last 25 years or more. Non aligned movement left it high and dry in the world. The world’s greatest self proclaimed peace maker has been searching for peace for the last 50 years. Even an insignificant country like Bangladesh and Nepal could pull its legs and get away. Now Bangladesh too has become haven for international terrorists and Al Qaeda has links in the country and they actively participate in terrorist activities in India with impunity. The trouble that erupted over the issue of Kashmir is engulfing the country. The initial phase of confrontation between Pakistan and India was over Kashmir in the State of J and K and it was completely engulfed in terrorist activities. India fought till now three major wars and one undeclared war (Kargil) on this account against its adversary. Over a time, the Pakistan based terrorists spread the activities of terrorism into other States of India to harass and intimidate the government and nation. India gained sympathy of West (Atlesat from Lip) as a troubled nation. It shared the platforms against terrorism along with west particularly USA (3). Then came the WTC 9/11 of USA. India too along with other nations condemned the senseless act and supported allied actions against Taliban and AlQaeda in Afghanistan. It enjoyed the privilege of a harassed nation. However USA on strategic reasons preferred Pakistan as a close partner and Indian sympathies were appreciated. As usual, there were uproars in the country from the disgruntled sections and political parties to be away from American war. Afghanistan under Taliban collapsed while Pakistan gained in US dollars as a strong ally, and terror activities in India no where reduced. India continued to suffer external terrorism as a result of Kashmir problem while terrorist and fundamentalist outfits in India and many more too grew unchecked. Dargah e Shahadat, Deendar Anzuman and Student Islamic outfit of India (SIMI) ( All banned) and many more Muslim fundamentalist organizations raised their heads in India that have nothing to do with Kashmir problem. There has been steep rise in the fundamentalist activities among Muslim masses mostly due to Friday utterances at Mosques by clergy and the inspirations they derive from international activities that are glorified (4). With growth of AlQaeda, the inspiration has crossed boundaries of nations and there has been a constant and committed propaganda by the Muslim fundamentalists to inspire youth through religion. Osama Bin laden is worshipped as cult figure in Wahaabi circles who dared to challenge the mighty super power and was able to repeat Pearl Harbor now in its main land. This is seen as a great achievement against west by the Muslim masses. West is dubbed as the villain and enemy of Islam and USA as leader of all Kafirs (Unbelievers including India). This was clearly evident from the demonstration at Hyderabad by a section of Muslims in India during the visit of President George Bush to India recently. Hatred towards USA is clear in a section of Indian Muslims. Audio CDs and video CDs with fundamentalist are also widely and clandestinely circulated among Muslim youth to stir the emotions.

After demolition of Babri Maszid (Mosque) in India, the video CDs were circulated by the Muslim organizations to stir up emotions. Similarly, video CDs on Gujrat killings and outrage were also circulated among masses and these activities greatly helped in rise of passions among youth and some of them have developed fear that Islam was in danger world wide. Every year, the day of demolition of Babri Maszid is observed by the Muslims and Muslim dominated parties like Majlis Ittehad ul Muslimeen (MIM) spear- head the activity. A section of Muslims in Hyderabad demonstrated against American attack on Iraq during the 1991 war by senior Bush. Large photographs of Saddam Hussein were carried in procession glorifying him. How Muslims of Hyderabad are concerned about the attack on Saddam Hussein? The Muslim youth are constantly reminded of the incident of Babri Maszid by the clergy and passions rise. There is obviously an underground craving for revenge among some sections (5). Glorification of the act of WTC 9/11 was resorted to and the relevant video CDs were also available to the masses and these were considered as great inspiration to these misguided Muslim elements in India.

All these years, Indian authorities concentrated more on the activities of international terrorists in India and most of the activities such as bomb explosions in Bombay trains, Delhi-Pakistan rail express, Akshardham Temple killings in Gujarat, Delhi street bombings, explosion in Jama Maszid ( Mosque) in Delhi, Kaluchak killings in Jammu, Bomb blast in Head Quarters of special police in Hyderabad, Blasts in Varanasi, attack on Parliament and Legislature of J and K State and many more were attributed to foreign terrorist organizations, at times abetted by Indian Muslim elements (6). Damage was done with in India and India was the target. Indian Intelligence concentrated more on curbing internal terrorism and export of terrorism to other countries was probably not on the agenda. Probably they did not anticipate that educated youth going abroad would get involved in such AlQaeda inspired activities. Even if it was there, it was not vigorously pursued. The result has finally come into open now tarnishing the image of India. Although brave face is being put up by top Indian politicians who matter, writing on the wall has to be read soon. It will never be easy for Muslims going abroad. Indian Muslims would be of suspect in international arena. Entire community can not be blamed. But such deeds by a section of people automatically tarnish the image of the nation and community and every one becomes a suspect in the view of foreigners.

The recent attack at Glasgow air port in which a burning Cherokee jeep was crashed into the airport terminal has come as bolt from blue to the Indians. Some of the accused who are arrested are Indian doctors and Engineers. They have studied higher education in India and were pursuing further higher studies and profession abroad. These persons were Muslim youth and are being linked to AlQaeda organization. What a disaster and disgrace? (7) At various forums Indian leaders declared thumping their chests or bosoms that Indian Muslims were not suspect. Even now all the Muslims are not suspect. But a section has already brought bad name to the nation internationally. Probably, India would be seen as the exporter of terrorism a new credit in international arena. If not openly, atleast in hush hush. All these years, India has been considered as the exporter of technical man power to west. Indians were considered brainy. What a fall now? Now it would be seen as the exporters of educated terrorists from professional field too. (8).

Indian police and intelligence network had no clue of the activities of these men who had a free to and fro ride in India. This could be only a tip of ice berg. Probably there would be many more Al Qaeda activists and sympathizers spread in various cities in India trying to undermine national prestige. How does India catch them? How does India restore national prestige as a responsible nation? AlQaeda has already infiltrated Indian Muslim youth in the form of Wahabism. Student Islamic movement of India seriously subscribes to the concept of Wahabism and aims at developing Indian Taliban. Taliban need not be in Afghanistan. They can be any where, in India, Pakistan, Middle East, Africa, Europe and USA. To escape identification, they may not sport measurable beards, white loose clothes and white turban-head gear like Mullah Omar or Zarqavi or Osama Bin Laden. They can be clean shaven and still be a Taliban in mental build up. Who knows, a Taliban would be sitting next to you in bus, train and even aero plane? They may be in your neighborhood. They may be working with you as colleagues. Eyes of India should atleast open up now. How fragile is the country’s security? Political interference in Police functioning has marred its efficiency and mostly turned it into a stooge organization of the government. It has also been reported that many Arab and other Muslim students from Africa and Middle East who do not get seats in Universities in their countries (being suspect) flock to India (Particularly Bangalore) as Indian Universities are too eager to admit them to make a fast buck. How such men are scrutinized? What are their antecedents? Are they not terror oriented? Such aspects are required to be investigated before universities grant admission to them (9). The policy of appeasement towards Muslims over years has facilitated rise of fundamentalism in India unchecked and leaders hesitate to even mention about it for the fear of hurting Muslim sentiments. How long this would continue? Till the country disintegrates? If the bombs have exploded at the airport, the calamity would have been very great and disastrous soiling further India’s image. Prime Minister DR Manmohan Singh has appealed to the Prime Minister of England expressing his anguish and requesting that entire India should not be dubbed as a terrorist state for the fault of few. Such things can happen any where, he said. (10) A very genuine concern and timely advice to the Englishmen. Will Englishmen relax rules at the air ports for Indians or be casual as earlier or show some consideration for Indians? Probably not. No nation would relax the checking for getting destroyed in turn. For them, national security is utmost important. Unless cleared, every one would be a suspect. This is the penalty India has to pay for the conspiracy by some of the citizens overtaken by Islamic Wahhabi fundamentalism with intention to take innocent lives in England. India has been thoroughly embarrassed internationally by a section of its own citizens. Unless India goes hammer and tongs against such terrorist outfits in India and sympathizers, there are all chances of further rise in such activities. Appeasement policies and dilly dallying will not help. The only difference if it happens next time is the exploding devices may not fail to initiate explosion. The technical Terrorists would have rectified their faults while Indians would be dozing off in past glories.

Bibliography

1. John Foster Dulles, Wikipedia, free encyclopedia, http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SUNA_en___IN206&q=

John+Dulles+and+Non+aligned+movement

2. RamJethmalani, NAM is dead, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date September 8, 2006, PP 7

3.

4. . Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Kuhana Secularism.. Gadi Tappina Bharatadesam (Pseudo Secularism and…… derailed India) in Telugu, Saraswathi Printers/o Visalandhra Publications, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, AP, India, 2005

5. Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Strategic studies into Muslim fundamentalism and its rise in India and its growing threat to India’s security across the borders, PhD Thesis in Strategic studies, The International University, Independence, Missouri, USA, 2003, PP

6. Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Kuhana Secularism.. Gadi Tappina Bharatadesam (Pseudo Secularism and…… derailed India) in Telugu, Saraswathi Printers/o Visalandhra Publications, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, AP, India, 2005, PP

7.Hassan suroor, Bilal Abdullah Charged with conspiracy, Hindu, Hyderabad, AP, India, July 08, 2007, Pp 10

8. Rob tailors, British bomb plot suspect detained in Australia, Yahoo news, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070703/ts_nm/britain_bomb1_dc

9. Praveen Swami, Shattered certitudes and new realities, Hindu, Hyderabad, AP, India, July 08, 2007, PP 10

10. Indians in UK most law abiding, Hindu, Hyderabad, AP, India, July 10, 2007, PP

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