The writer is a consulting editor with The Statesman and writes widely for several newspapers in India
Undeterred by the mind-blowing violence and personal tragedies, such as the kidnapping of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son, Pakistanis have refused to back off from their determination to vote. The terrorists have unleashed a terrible wave of violence killing nearly 150 persons in poll-related attacks, have issued threats, warning the people of dire consequences if they participate in the electoral process, but have failed completely to shackle their democratic aspirations. Thousands are turning up for political rallies, with the young generation virtually taking the lead to beat the drums of enthusiasm and hope. This is not just interesting for Indians watching from across the border, but “awesome”, to use a favourite younger generation term.
The role of the Pakistan Army is significant. Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has been steadfast in his earlier promise of supporting the democratic process. And this is exactly what the all-powerful army is doing — providing security and allowing the political parties the space to battle it out on the political field. Or so it seems from New Delhi, where the “hands off” approach of the Pakistan Army is being watched with tremendous interest. As a result, the results are up for grabs, and no one can predict the outcome with any certainty. General Kayani’s assurance to Pakistan on the eve of polling day gave an insight into the approach of the army, “I assure you that we stand committed to wholeheartedly assisting and supporting the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, to the best of our capabilities and remaining within the confines of the Constitution. I also assure you that this support shall solely be aimed at strengthening democracy and rule of law in the country.”
For once, the army chief’s remarks in support of the democratic process were received without a heavy dose of salt in New Delhi. There is widespread recognition in India that the elections will be held, with the army working alongside the election machinery to ensure this. And there can be no greater testimony to the Pakistanis’ desire for democracy, than the silent resolve of the people to face and counter the terrorists. Imran Khan’s video address from his hospital bed to thousands of his supporters in Islamabad is an indication of the aspirations propping up the violence-ridden polls in Pakistan. So far, the election process has been transparent, and there have been no reports of foul play by the political parties in the fray.
Interestingly, General Kayani also gave an idea of army plans after the polls in his recent address at the Youm-e-Shuhda programme. A between-the-lines analysis does point to: 1) the army has recognised the people’s desire for democracy, and took a deliberate decision to stay out of the political picture; 2) the army is optimistic that this decision will play out to its advantage, in that the new government with the people’s mandate will establish levels of cooperation with the army to help it in its increasingly difficult war against terror and thereby, strengthen it on the ground; 3) new political and military links supported by a grateful people to wage the war against terrorism with new policies and new determination.
India will have to factor in the new aspirations, the political processes, the self-trimmed role of the army, the younger generation, et al, into its understanding of Pakistan after these elections. The rigidity reflected on Indian television news channels that insists on looking at all developments through the prism of terrorism will result in misplaced shadow-boxing where much of Indian energy and resources will be wasted in formulating responses on the basis of old parameters instead of the new shifts within Pakistan. The new generation in both India and Pakistan is fed up with the old, and this is where hope of change really lies.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2013.
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India is not just the hawks and the anchors on television, but a large motley of sane people holding sober and rational views. And while these segments of society might be denied space in the increasingly hysterical media, there is recognition and even admiration here about the amazing progress the people of Pakistan have made in exercising their democratic right to vote for a hopefully free and fair election.
O Lord, this writer, quite well-known for her anti-India and anti-Hindu views, is again faithfully venting out her animosity and resentment against Indians, even as she continues to enjoy all the benefits India offers to its minorities and protects their rights and interests. I may not agree with your criticism of me but will defend your right to criticize me! India practises this wonderful philosophy. I wonder to what extent Pakistan goes to defend the basic existence of its minorities, let alone allow them the luxury to criticize the majority. They will probably be liquidated at once, their daughters abducted, forcibly converted and forced to marry old men with one leg in their graves. The real test of bravery for this lady author would be to write a piece (I hardly consider her writing to be journalism) critical of Pakistan and its culture of violence and barbarism. Writing a piece that is music to the ears of readers of a newspaper in a country that traditionally regales in criticizing India is not the real test of her writing and perceptive abilities.
ET mods - please allow response to a message directed at me. @Gp65: Your response to me was unnecessarily patronizing, still, let me address the real points you made. My post to you wasn't out of context at all. Your response to @Foreign Leg indicated that if Muslims in Delhi express anti-Pakistani feelings the only reason for that could be that they were fearful of expressing their real feelings and had to make a show of being anti-Pakistani in order to be socially accepted. You had expressed similar views about the Ajmer Sharif Dargah chief.
While some people maybe fearful, my point was that your assumption that any such expressions could only be motivated by fear was not a valid assumption. There could be other factors such as not believeing in ummah and feeling the same way about Pakistan as many other fellow Hindus, Sikhs or Christians Indians do. Also I indicated that you seem to believe you have pulse on the feeling of all Indian Muslims because anytime any Indian Muslim express views that do not resonate with you, dismiss such views. You did that in case of @Foreign Leg, you did that in case of the Dargah chief and I recall you did that to one of the posters here on ET called Rehmat
The author should talk about Pakistan only. I am not interested in Indian youth.I hope she would limit herself to Pakistan in future. Thanks.
@Gp65:
All I gathered thru the excitement in the post is you have an opinion that doesn't coincide with mine. Fair enough. You to your ways. My response here was specific to a comment made about Delhi & to a specific sentence of "Foreign Leg" who prefixed his opinion with words "In fact".If opinions are facts then by that token my opinion is no less factual!! Any case he ought to be in a position to demolish my views. Your other questions appear rhetorical in nature needing no response. Questioning older "threads" without context is pointless. I think it's better to have one's say & take a strong stand rather than putting up "What if" kind of hypothetical queries but then each to his/her own.
@Dee Cee: You are right sir. Problem is quite a few among the two countries consider Muslim & Pakistani to be synonyms. What many do not understand is for every AR Rahman there is a Shafiqur Rahman, member of parliament, (former sang "Ma Tujhe Salam" with respect & the latter rudely walked out recently when it was being sung) & both may be as patriotic as any other Indian. In my school days Muslim "areas" were observed to find out, during India-Pakistan cricket or hockey matches, who celebrated who for whose victory/defeat. Years later Conservative MP of England Norman Tebbit came up with Cricket Loyalty Test to judge the same India/Pak origin chaps when he said:- "A large proportion of Britain's Asian population fail to pass the cricket test. Which side do they cheer for? It's an interesting test. Are you still harking back to where you came from or where you are?". That's how patriotism gets judged!! Harmless though it may sound, one must note that all sinister ideas have innocuous beginnings!
@Water Bottle:
Those "Liberal" parties are too busy in trying to rig the elections and acting like bandits to win popular vote. At least the "Islamic" parties are not involved in vote rigging which is quiet democratic and mature won't you say?
@Inayat_H: Not only Sikh there are Hindu Separatists too! These movements do not have overtly religious overtones. Khalsa history, confined to limited geography, is three centuries old & Baptist Church that has done evangelical work in Nagaland is about a century old while Hindu-Muslim issues on all-India basis go back to ten centuries. Anyway,there is no "Sikh" or "Christian" country, (& an "enemy country" at that), in the immediate neighbourhood of India which may make the Majority to suspect Sikhs & Christians of at least nursing a latent love for such a neighbour.
@Talha Rizvi
Better still, no relations at all.
(India is not just the hawks and the anchors on television, but a large motley of sane people holding sober and rational views. And while these segments of society might be denied space in the increasingly hysterical media,....etc) (Author)
Well said. May be due to recent Sarabjit/Sanaullah tensions but the attitude that established democrats ought to have of cheering on a nation trying to consolidate itself as a democracy is missing on Indian TV. Channels are quite mercenary & bereft of any ideological moorings anyway. A few elements in Indian Media may be confused too that the familiar anti-India & Kashmir-centric rhetoric is missing in campaigns & PA Chief is actually looking forward to successful conclusion of elections.Understandably the TV anchors have a vested interest in sensationalism. A position of constant confrontation eminently suits some on both sides of Border. However, for once since this morning couple of Indian channels, having sensed the mood that is prevalent internationally, are showing some goodwill & providing reasonably objective coverage. Couple of well known anchors are in Islamabad reporting live. Hopefully, once the local language press picks up the story, it may lead to a greater appreciation among Indians of democratic forces at work in Pak.
@Rakib
That is a form of defense mechanism to maintain social acceptance considering the way in which Delhi cops treat Muslims with utmost suspicion. The rich & famous among them apart, the ordinary Muslims, unlike Hindus, have to be demonstratively patriotic, which often means being vocally anti-Pakistan.
I agree with the point you have made. It is a sad state of affair not only for Muslims but for all Indians. But I also wonder why Sikhs (with baggage of Khalistan movement and all that followed) or Christians (with insurgency in NE) do not resort to such defense mechanism of being vocally anti-Pakistan or even anti-Sikh or anti-Christian for social acceptance? Is there something to do with people’s collective and inherited memory? Is it because in the past the Muslims of India were demonstratively pro-Pakistan? Even if the answer is yes, it DOESN'T justify the majority's suspicion of a whole community. But if the majority’s psyche is understood and there is an empathy for their imagined/real sense of hurt, a few reflexive behaviour as you explained may help bridge the gap. It may not as well. But it is worth a try. Though in an ideal world, it would not have been necessary or even desirable. But we don't live in one.
E.T Why are my comments not being published but Indians comments on every internal matter of Pakistan are given a free hand.especially of Gp65 who has so far commented four times on an internal issue of Pakistan in a Pakistani newspaper.While searching this newspaper's website I have come to this conclusion that Indians are full of hatred and vitriol against Pakistan.They are there senselessly commenting on every article without even understanding the basics of such things.They display an acute lack of humility,objectivity and have a desire to abuse the hospitality of their hosts.Now if this article was about a Pakistani author discussing Indian politics comments would have come asking Pakistan to mind it's own business.It seems Indians have nothing better to do than troll in Pakistani newspapers DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR.I have even seen them gloating over accidents in Pakistan and claiming that Pakistan will be destroyed soon.If these are the views of Educated Indians than it's best if we keep our relations to a minimum.
@Rakib: You'll also notice cringeworthy moments in popular media (movies and all) depicting "good" Muslims declaring how they love India and whatnot! However, the bright side of it is that, although not completely civilized, we are not tearing each other apart.
@Gp65: My last comment was directed to Rakib.
And what about those in in-between generations like yourself, who still think Indians have nothing better to do but constantly prattle on about Pakistan?
48 million registered male voters and 37 million registered female voters. In other words only 3 female voters for every 4 male. This blatant voter suppression is clearly not something you appear to have observed. Or the non-transparent, arbitrary and inconsistent processes followed by the retturning officers in selecting and rejecting candidates. Nor the violence that targets rallies and candidates of only some parties and the consequent impact on electioneering in 3 provinces. Nor the fact that Ahmadis cannot vote. Nor the fact that non-Muslims cannot vote for general candidates,
These polls may be fairer than those in the past but can hardly be described as free and fair when neither the voters can toe freely nor candidates campaign freely.
In any event what relevance do these elections have with India's foreign policy? And for someone who claims to be a fervent supporter of democracy, why do you arrogate the right to yourself to speak for 1.2 billion Indians? Confused much - eh?
You had a similar opinion when the Pakistan PM was not welcome by the Ajmer Sharif Dargah chief. You said he said that out of fear as though there had been any adverse consequences on an earlier occasion when Zardari had visited and no such negative statement had been issued.
You seem to believe that you and Ms. Mustafa have your hands on he pulse of every Indian Muslim and anyone who expresses views that are aligned with majority of Indians must do so out of fear. What if that is not true? What if they are just well assimilated and their hearts beat with the rest of us for India? What if they too feel as alienated by 26/11 and complete unwillingness of Pakistan to hold the planners responsible? What if they too were horrified at the beheading on LOC? What if they do not believe in the concept of the ummah and consider their religion as a personal matter thus not feeling obligated to overlook any and all provocations by Pakistani establishment?
@Foreign Leg: {In fact, in places like Delhi, Muslims treat Pakistanis with the utmost suspicion.}
That is a form of defense mechanism to maintain social acceptance considering the way in which Delhi cops treat Muslims with utmost suspicion. The rich & famous among them apart, the ordinary Muslims, unlike Hindus, have to be demonstratively patriotic, which often means being vocally anti-Pakistan.
Democracy in Muslim societies is reserved for Muslims. Non-Muslims are marginalized and continue to be discriminated against. Look at Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan. All have elected governments with deep Islamic leanings. Even in this election in Pakistan, no party is calling for a just and equal society for ALL it's citizens. PML-N and PTI are openly pro-Islamic. PPP is by its sheer silence.
On good relations between India and Pakistan. Islamists continue to seek parity by talking about how "fed up" the new generation of Indians is with the so called "status quo". The implication is that Indians share the blame "equally". IF - big if, the young of India are so eager to "forget" Mumbai and other countless attacks on their society by "strategic assets" from their neighbour, then they deserve what lies in store for them. Don't forget facts: according to Pew Center research, overwhelming number of Pakistanis think India (and USA) is their leading enemy. The hate meter skyrockets when it comes to India.
ET Mods: Besides my monicker that you perhaps object to - it is unclear what else you found objectionable in my comment which was entirely factual and completely compliant with your published guidelines.
Ms. Mustafa,
You speak as if you you are spokesperson for the youth of Pakistan and India, and that makes you believe that you can arrogate to speak on their behalf. Get of your high horse and wake up an smell the coffee: The majority of the youth in India at least have got nothing to do with Pakistan. They would care least if a barrier would be put up, which would make each others existence oblivious.
@Author; The new generation in both India and Pakistan is fed up with the old, and this is where hope of change really lies. . The old generation in India was driven by a bunch of fogeys who thought they would receive accolades and may be even the Nobel Peace Prize for dithering and conciliation at the cost of stupendous loss. The new generation in India believes in none of these.
@Author: India is not just the hawks and the anchors on television, but a large motley of sane people holding sober and rational views. And while these segments of society might be denied space in the increasingly hysterical media, there is recognition and even admiration here about the amazing progress the people of Pakistan have made in exercising their democratic right to vote for a hopefully free and fair election. . Democracy does not exist when there is a possibility of an extra-constitutional authority such as the army coming to power. Please understand the definition of democracy from those like Larry Diamond from Stanford University. There are numerous metrics to determine if Pakistan is a democracy and sadly it falls low on all of these parameters. I would also suggest you to go through the Freedom House scores to understand its ranking on liberty which is deeply interlinked with democracy. . For someone who had no idea of Pakistan growing up, to turn to what I am is a testament to the thousand pin pricks of which one has affected me the most, the Mumbai attacks. Nothing will happen unless that is resolved by Pakistan. I can sense that over the past few years people in India have grown distant from Pakistan. Even the Muslims I am friends with want nothing to do with Pakistan. In fact, in places like Delhi, Muslims treat Pakistanis with the utmost suspicion.
"So far, the election process has been transparent, and there have been no reports of foul play by the political parties in the fray."
Yes.
Except for about 500 people killed from liberal parties.
But, Mrs. Mustafa, you don't have to worry. Your favorite right-wing Islamist parties are safe in Pakistan.