What Modi Wants from Pakistan?

By
Zubair K Khan
According to International Print Media Reports,  Indian Prime Minister Modi earned a unique distinction this weekend as the first prime minister in India’s history to raise human rights violations in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan.  He took advantage by mentioning some acts, carried out in the province by anti state elements, for last few years. Modi feels spirited that Baluchi nationalists adore him for doing that. He chose his customary Independence Day address to the nation on Monday from the ramparts of Red Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in Old Delhi, to stage the theatrics rich in symbolism.
However, even as Modi was espousing the cause of the Baluchis on Monday, in his home state of Gujarat, a massive public rally was held by the Dalit community – ‘untouchables’ in Hindu caste hierarchy – with the support of Muslims, protesting against persecution and social and political discrimination. In addition to it, terror act committed in the Northeast Indian state of Assam on August 5, when suspected militants of the Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S) opened fire at a crowded market near Kokrajhar town, killing 14 people and injuring 20 others.This was the deadliest attack by the NDFB-S in 19 months. Led by Ingi Kathar Songbijit, the NDFB-S which is fiercely opposed to talks. Its goal is an independent Bodoland for indigenous Bodos, which it wants carved out of Assam. Whole issue of Bodo revolves around discrimination and human rights violations. Then there is continuous unrest in the Indian occupied Kashmir Valley, which has been under curfew for over a month. An other worst scenario of human rights abuses.  In the presence of all aforementioned serious issue at home still Mr Modi chose to lash out at Pakistan. Why? Now to put matters in perspective, Bodo people in North of India constitutes majority of over to 40 million population of Assam. Dalit population in India is estimated to be in the region of 200 million. Indian held Kashmir supposed to house above 13 millions.  Relative to three of  these populations  Baluchis of Pakistan number around 7 million. Comparison encompassing merely the quantum of population speaks which way the Modi politics is heading.

How India proposes to tackle these three upcoming threats. In the wake of the August 5 attack, Indian authorities have announced stepping up military operations against the rebel group. More troops are being deployed and all security forces have been ordered “to go all out against the NDFB(S),” Assam’s Chief Secretary V K Pipersenia said. Intimidation or use of brute force by the state government, compliant local government, corrupt political class, blanket deployment of security forces are now visible signs for controlling the disturbance in Gujarat. For Kashmir problem, Delhi finds itself between the rock and a hard place to quell the unrest in the Valley, which has been under curfew for over a month. There is some talk that regions of the Valley may be put under direct army rule. Delhi seems preparing for a massive crackdown.

At a juncture confronted with three prongs attack, Modi government found it expedient to stage a political drama by whipping up xenophobia and make it look as if Pakistani interference is fuelling the upheaval in the Valley – rather than the other way around. Tirades against Pakistan help boost the sagging morale of the Hindu nationalist lobby and divert public attention away from all the issues Modi Government is facing. The Hindu fundamentalists visualise Modi as the Iron Man of Indian politics. Evidently, Modi took to stage-acting on such a potentially explosive theme as human rights without thinking through the profound consequences. It looks like, Modi’s tirade against Pakistan may only draw more international attention to the carnage in the Valley, which is after all the root cause of India-Pakistan tensions today. India’s interests lie in keeping things under control in the Valley.  Contrary to it if unrest continues in Valley,  Pakistan will turn the table on India’s own abysmal human rights record. Pakistan may not have a lily-white reputation, but India too has many skeletons in the closet – such as the greatest human rights dimensions of oppressive Hindu caste system or the alienation in the Christian-majority north-eastern regions of the country. Suffice to say, Modi has jumped in to Baluchi Pond without the foresight that he may now come under compulsion to keep swimming. Pakistan won’t let him to swim easily, either. So Mr Modi you wanted to involve Pakistan to divert the attention of Indians from important internal issues your government is facing. Such tactics are not always successful. International community can no longer be fooled with such acts. Very soon you will realise the blunder you made.

Categories: Asia, India, Pakistan

Leave a Reply