One hopes that sanity prevails in India
LAHORE: While Pakistan’s main political parties, the media and the people have realised that they need to eradicate the seeds of extremism sown by Zia, it is unfortunate that India is on a fast track to promote and institutionalise Hindu supremacy, fundamentalism and mob violence. The insecurity and political instability within Pakistan became an obstacle for foreign investment. Pakistan has now taken concrete steps to curb this menace and will, in due course of time, re-track back to the vision of the Quaid, who wanted this country to be a modern democratic welfare state where all citizens could live in peace and harmony with members of other faiths. This requires consistent effort by the State to overcome obstacles and hopefully restore the rule of law, with all institutions working within their constitutionally defined corridors.
It is unfortunate that India, established to function as a democratic secular state, is fast deteriorating into a country where armed unruly mobs lynch members of minority faiths. If this Lynch India mindset prevails it will engulf our neighbour in such deep trouble that its economy will slow down and insecurity of its minorities will boost insurgencies. India with its diverse population cannot afford this, nor can the subcontinent. One hopes that sanity prevails in India. How can India justify clamping a curfew occupied Kashmir, confining 6 million Kashmiris within homes, cutting all lines of communication and arresting all political leaders? Nazi Germany failed to exterminate Jews and so have numerous others who embarked on such sinister agendas.
Malik Tariq Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2019.
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