Hindutva terror in Canada and lessons for Pakistan

The official reaction of India to a credible accusation of a transnational murder is not surprising. When the ‘Butcher of Gujarat’ is the prime minister of the largest ‘democracy’ in the world, anything is possible. What is surprising is the reaction of the leading ‘rational’ observers and intellectuals of India. Barkha Dutt writes that “Trudeau is a serial offender” who has “taken part in events that eulogize Khalistan terrorists.” Amarjit Dulat who harps constantly about India-Pakistan peace treaty remarked, “We are very different from Pakistan” as India is a liberal democracy which does not indulge in terrorist activities. Shekhar Gupta noticed that Canada houses Sikh radicals and the large vote bank dictates its policies. There were very few introspective voices in the media like Karan Thapar who were concerned about the gravity of the situation. Otherwise, by and large it was an open Canada bashing season in the Indian media.

What do the recent events and its coverage mean for Pakistan? Firstly, it is apparent that the Indian government and its institutions have been hijacked by Hindutva fanatics who are becoming increasingly reckless and belligerent. The upcoming elections in India will most probably revolve around their favourite bogeyman, Pakistan. Our economic and political crises make us a luring target for a foreign adventure. India is emboldened by the blanket support of the West who will not let this ‘incident’ affect the relationship to counter China. Our elite should read up on the last period of Andalusia and how internal political and economic chaos led to the final conquest of Granada by the Christian fanatics. Pakistan should not count on external financial help to bail itself out of the imminent bankruptcy. Egypt is still in dire financial straits despite billions of dollars given by the Gulf countries. We will have to rely on our own internal resources and place honest, competent personnel to lead our affairs to get out of the current economic quagmire. A self-reliant, unified, economically and militarily strong country is the best deterrent against future foreign invasions.

Secondly, it appears that most of the Indian intelligentsia will play second fiddle to the Hindutva ideology and in case of any future conflict with Pakistan, are likely to inflame the tensions between the two countries. There seems to be an intense repulsion and abhorrence to the idea of an independent Pakistan among the Indian elite. A subservient Pakistan like the current leadership of Bangladesh suits Indian interests which can look the other way when Bengali migrants are termed ‘termites’ and the new Citizenship Law and National Registry openly discriminates against Muslim citizens. Weakening of the institutions of Pakistan especially its military is in the interest of India and its media propaganda will aim to create an internal rift within the country similar to 1971.

Pakistan in spite of all of its shortcomings is still the only regional power which can counter Indian hegemony in the sub-continent. As India gets stronger economically and militarily, a conflict with Pakistan will become more likely. Indian ruling elite are getting elected by its people by displaying nationalistic and belligerent behaviour similar to Nazi Germany. Introspective and rational voices which were once the hallmark of Indian media are getting silent on this transformation. Sikh, Christian and especially the Muslim minorities are considered as the fifth column within the country. Thus, even an international murder of a Sikh is justified on nationalistic grounds. Next year will herald the opening of Ram temple on the ruins of Babri mosque. Visions of Cordoba cathedral, Reconquista and the subsequent genocide of minorities are flashing before us. Will the nightmare become a reality in the future? Only time will tell.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2023.

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