THAT BLOODY DAY

The day has come back to haunt me  so many times in two decades with one question- What if  again??

It was an ordinary cold morning in Delhi on that day. Three years out of college and back home for a vacation during MBA, the day promised nothing new. Being a BJP Govt in time, we were discussing the birthday of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee next day and boom, it happened. With no social media, by late evening its was confirmed that our Indian Airlines was hijacked. We joined a global club of people attacked again by terrorists!

Despite a super cold evening, the atmosphere was charged up. People on the road  were in a hurry to go home and check the news.

Every face carried the same expression –of agony, anger, puzzlement and most of all, a strong sense of disbelief. How could it happen to us? What did we do to deserve this? Let’s consider the fact that  it was almost after a decade of end of terrorism in Punjab. So who could? Immediately after getting the news, not for once could we link it to people who , subsequently took the responsibility.

While growing up, I had often been told about two Air related incidents – 1982 crash of Air India Kanishka over Mid Atlantic which saw everyone aboard die within matter of minutes. In fact, Kanishka Crash went on to become a case study for aviation security worldwide.

The Second incident was the hijack of Pan Am Flight from Mumbai to US. The same flight where the young brave heart Neerja Bhanot gave her life to help people escape, thus giving her life in the process. This was carried out by Abu Nidal’s organization. For the uninitiated, Abu Nidal was a dreaded Palestine terrorist and founder of Fatah (not copying pasting from Wikipedia here )…I recall his name because he was a major feature on newspapers at regular interval in 90’s. Eventually, he was killed, I believe in Libya. That’s for another day.

So growing up on the anecdotal legacy of the above two incidents, it was natural to recall it again on that ghastly cold night of 24^th December 1999, a night India barely slept.

By next day, the whole country was embroiled in a major debate, be it at inner sanctums of home or at chai shop. What next? Disbelief of the previous day slowly paved way to a national debate at every nook n corner. Once the demands of hijackers were known, the debate was on the recourse of the government.

Our thoughts were every moment with the hostages? What are they eating? How are they sleeping. Are they being beaten? Even as crass it may sound, how are the toilet conditions. And, as if it was not enough, the whole country was greeted with the nerve wrecking sight of hijackers throwing the body of newly wed Rupin Katyal.  It was the last fodder to put fuel into fire. Suddenly, the country wanted to have back the hostages.

Some of us advocated the zero tolerance policy of US as a reference point but by and large, especially in Delhi, I could see a thought of reconciliation to the terrorists’ demands, peeving in. after all, we are the country, who showed the world the “value of humanity and spirit of universal brotherhood”.  Come few more days, a mood of desperation came over many people  with ‘ Leke deke Ktam karo yaar yeh drama. Bahut ho gaya’.

The channels were full of visuals of a tense government, an ‘empathizing’ opposition giving full support to Government and yet demanding release of hostages and livid public. And thus it went on for 7 long days for India and then the announcement came in intending to return the terrorists including Maulana Masood Azhar.

Was it a moment to heave a sigh of relief. Of course for many and especially for families of the hostages but at what cost? Didn’t we end up paying too heavy a price, as future will unravel for us.

The news brought in a feeling of deep agony and despair amongst lot of us, including me. Suddenly, we were very angry at the government but I feel what else could have the hapless government do?

A question that ought to have been asked that day and maybe for years later is – Did we as people stand firmly behind the Government? Had the Government not relented to the pressure of families of hostages and resolved NOT to release the terrorists, would we have completely supported it.

Unless, we can garner the emotional and mental strength to give unsolicited support to Government , in wake of such dastardly incidents, I feel it is a collective responsibility and the Onus lies on all of us.

Today on 9^th March with days to go for General Election 2019, Opposition leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi asked a question to Government to the effect of why did BJP Government of the time, release the terrorists.

I would urge whoever chooses to read this article to take the effort to read an article by eminent Journalist Mr. Kanchan Gupta, who was there that time.  It should be read. Like they, direct from horse's mouth...

http://kanchangupta.blogspot.com/2008/12/truth-behind-kandahar.html?m=1

While Plane hijack is a rare occurrence now , thanks to strict security rules, but these incidents can change its contours, its target. And hence, we need to answer the the question I posed at the beginning of the article – What if again? Wise men have said that History should never be repeated and maybe we should believe them. 

THE NEW TROJAN HORSE: SAGA OF DECEITFUL WAR

When Menelaus of Sparta attacked Troy, it was not a drive to only undo the wrong of Prince Paris, who had taken his wife.  He needed a reason to attack a nation otherwise known for its peaceful overtures! And Menelaus knew that to bend the mighty Trojans, he had to be industrious to think of a deceit. And thus was created the Trojan Horse. Make no mistake…Troy was not defeated by Sparta but by the Trojan Horse. Troy misplaced its faith, trust and sense of divine good. Rest is history.

In a flashback to contemporary times with recorded history, the Second World War would have continued for longer duration had it not been for the cunning of Eisenhower, Patton and Montogomery to lead the Nazis into a masterly crafted deceit , called Oparation Body Guard (and unbelievable efforts were undertaken to make it look real), singularly crafted to deceive the Germans into thinking that D-Day attacks will come at Pas De Calais at France which was over 200 mile from Normandy, where the actual attack, called Operation Overlord, happened. Hitler, Rommel, Von Rundsteadt, Keitel were all deceived. Again, a kind of Trojan Horse was created in this case Operation Body Guard to finisg the Germans.

The reason to share one anecdotal or mythological event and the other historically recorded event is to elaborate on the word Deceit through Trojan Horse.

India was attacked on 14^th February 2019 by terrorists, at the call of Pakistan and its infamous ISI, and Pulwama in Kashmir was the chosen spot for the attacks. It was not the first and it is definitely not the last in what shall be a continued series of such attacks in future. The cities will differ but the impact and intent of these attacks will remain the same.

We need to go back! When Pakistan could not win even an inch of land from us after three  direct wars  in 1947, 1971 and much recently in 1999,  they realised that they too needed to create a Trojan Horse. Full of deceit, vile and fury! And thus was created the model of Terror. In this modern war, Pakistan was the new Sparta and people like Gen. Zia Ul  Haq, Mirza Aslam Beg, Hamid Gul, Assad Durrani were the new Menelaus.

And, India was the new Troy. The first testing ground for the Trojan Horse was Punjab.  The method was to create a new eco sysytem – born and bred around terror. Hidden, shrouded in deceit and yet effective. Our Government woke up late but then acted swiftly. After years of this ‘new war’, we had won but remnants still remain till day. The terror has been replaced by drugs. But at least in Punjab, the war was directly between a nation and a group of terrorists. Well almost! But it was soon to change. Pakistan had learned its lesson.

The second step was Kashmir. Hamid Gul , Durrani and company unleashed a new , motivated, well prepared terror unto us. Modules and groups were confirmed. From Harkat to Let to Jem to Al Badr and from Bitta Karatte to Salauddin to Burhani Wani, the names kept changing or appearing but intent remained the same. Bleeding India to thousand cuts, as famously propounded by Gen.Zia.

But in Kashmir, a much larger strategy was envisioned and implemented. Leading a war from all fronts. Forcing Kashmiri Pundits, the original inhabitants to flee, Empowering  Hurriyat, creating a religious led mas spublic outcry and hysteria and of course, identifying and emboldening spokespersons (Read it as agents of treason, if you want).

Did Pakistan succeed? Yes, it did. And this happened because our government of the time and we the people were caught napping. Let’s all own up to this colossal decadal war. We paid a heavy price and sadly, continue to pay even today.

Pakistan succeeded in creating the Trojan Horse. In this case, it were the champions of Human Rights, Kashmiri Human Rights, Journalists, intellectuals and opinion leaders, all from within…within us.  A group of elitists who remained oblivious to the fate of our soldiers but were all charged up when a single terrorist was killed. This Trojan Horse is a master of narratives rather creating it.

Narratives through a well concerted PR exercise globally, in conjunction with nations and confederates like OIC has been attacking us every day. Yet, we remain the good principled nation still trusting ad placing our hopes that this new Trojan Horse is perhaps a figment of our horrid imagination and reality is more positive. But then how do we account for the likes of people like Arundhati Roy, and so many others.  They are the foot soldiers of Pakistan and its agents in Kashmir, comfortably fitted inside the Horse waiting for their opportunity to unleash their diatribe against us. Their new instrument is asking questions of our intent and proof of our implementation.

We know the enemy and its agents. So what next? Should we allow the Trojan Horse to continue to graze on our land and yet hurt us or as a nation we should resolve to put an end to it. While we can expect the current government to perhaps execute our own version of “Wrath of God” against the external enemies, we as a people need to think about the Trojan Horse within. We have to reveal their lies, we have to point out their sinister mischievous intent.

If history has given lessons, it will be wise to pick up the learnings and real fast…….

An Open Letter to Ms. Arundhati Roy

Dear Ms. Roy,

Good afternoon!

Today, after a long time, I chanced upon reading Huffington post and Voila, what do I find? An article written by you, showcasing your well known views on Kashmir.

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/our-captured-wounded-hearts-arundhati-roy-on-balakot-kashmir-and-india_in_5c78a574e4b0de0c3fbf6b50

Though I pride myself upon being a decently well read person, at the outset let me candidly admit that when I bought your acclaimed book “God of Small Things” with much glee and hope, I had thought I shall cherish reading the book. But agony greeted me instead!

 However, I admit in my entire existence of over 4 decades on this earth,  that is the only book which I had to leave unfinished rather drop after the first chapter. 

But, I still hold myself in awe today for having gathered my wits around and deciding to read your article published on Huff Post today and like always, it was a disappointing saga of austere mediocrity based on pile of lies and self-effacing prophecies.

But yes, before I do so, let me recount my opinion of your intellectual prowess.

Mark Twain said to the effect, “Get your facts first before  you distort them” but in your case, I can safely gauge that you get into distortion without even getting your facts, leave alone half baking them.

So, let’s come to point, shall we?

With his reckless “pre-emptive” airstrike on Balakot in Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inadvertently undone what previous Indian governments almost miraculously, succeeded in doing for decades.

Well firstly, there was nothing “reckless”  about the air strike. It was  a brave move, which you will cite as innuendo, after due deliberation and consideration of our conditions. Besides, the move was proposed by our armed forces and NSA and our PM approved it with his complete support. I am not sure if yu are calling our forces reckless.

But I agree with you. This man indeed  has  undone what previous Indian governments almost miraculously, succeeded in doing for decades. For decades, our previous governments did nothing in terms of a qualifiable reply to our belligerent neighbour. It extended olive branch every time and our neighbours returned the favour by upping the ante on terror attacks. Definitely Mr. Modi stopped this diabolically suicidal approach.

Have you heard of “Wrath of God” by Mossad or again Israel conducting theirrescue operation in Antebbe in Uganada or as a better and more contemporary analogy, US entering Abottabad and killing Osama. That too when Pakistan has been their ally.

Modi has internationalised the Kashmir dispute.

Do you know what is the meaning of “internationalising a dispute”? officially, any dispute is ‘internationalised’ when it is brought up either in UN, or in ICJ or getting offers of third party mediation. 

Maybe you do not know that Kashmir was internationalised , in the imagination of the whole world, when it was attacked in 1948 by Pakistan. And, before thatUN Resolution 47 was passed in UN , upon the insistence of Indian Govt, in 1947.

 So my educated lady, do not say Modi internationalised Kashir. It was always in the radar of global community. In fact to the extent of US, China, and if ai am not wrong, even Norway offering mediation. Why should they, if it was not an international issue?

He has demonstrated to the world that Kashmir is potentially the most dangerous place on earth, the flash-point for nuclear war.

Well seriously!  I do not understand your logic of equating a strike in the interiors of Pakistan with our own state and region called Kashmir. He has demonstrated to the world that Pakistan is potentially the most dangerous place in Earth, not Kashmir.

Well, have you heard of N. Korea, Syria, Yemen. Go and see them before bestowing this certificate on Kashmir. Unlike these areas, here the “youth” and ol or women and children alike feel free to hit our soldiers, often causing lifetime injury or in worse cases, their death.

Yes Kashmir is indeed dangerous for not for the Kashmiri people but for our soldiers. Seldom goes a day when they are no attacked by the kashmiris. Lets not get into data for this.

Since 1990, more than seventy thousand people have been killed in the conflict, thousands have “disappeared”, tens of thousands have been tortured and hundreds of young people maimed and blinded by pellet guns. 

Well quantifying death is a not such a nice thing but even worse is to inflate the numbers. Just so you know, since 1990, Forty One thousand people have died and NOT Seventy thousand unless for you, death of twenty nine  thousand is just a number, so as to use it so charitably. Besides, you are writing an article for media, you should do your homework.  

Of this forty one thousand, the largest number is that of terrorists. Civilians came next who were killed largely by the terrorists themselves.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of young men in the Kashmir Valley like Adil Ahmed Dar who have been born into war

Aah the most expected one and here it is that Ms. Arundhato Roy the “columnist” turns into the acclaimed writer weaving her rich panorama of well chosen words . or is it?

Born into war? Do you have any idea what it means? A war does not allow schools, colleges to remain open. A war does not enable health care. A war does not let children work on their multi talent faculties. A war does not encourage the citizens to enlist in the same army wich is leading the “war”. How many of these aspects are missing in Kashmir, unless the teachers there or parents there teach young kids to take up guns and if not possible, ‘at least pelt stones’.  I feel your friend Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farukh usher these youth  and thus they are reborn in war that never existed. Of course you do your bit too. India on its part has encouraged Kashmiri youth to join police, army, get educated, do well in sports.  They stoned our soldiers who during the floods, went against all odds to save lives of Kashmiris. Alas, some people chose to forget this so easily.

Do you remember young Qamran Iqbal who made it to National Under-19 cricket squad. He too is from Kashmir, so why is he doing so well in his life. Leave alon student securing good marks and aiming at a better life. Because they have faith and belief in India.

The armed struggle in Kashmir against what people think of as “Indian Rule” is almost thirty years old.

So? Just because some people take up guns for non-existential issues, a country should give in? By that measure, Britain should have given up Ireland and Scotland decades ago. Ditto for Iraq or now Yemen or China should give up on Tibet or Uighur province?

A nation is born out of several centuries of evolution, of struggle and just because some misguided people believe otherwise, a nation can not give up its sovereignty. For you, Kashmir was, is and will always remain an integral part of our country, its glowing crown. So relax.

Who in their right mind could imagine that this hellishly complicated, hellishly cruel war would be solved or even mitigated in any way by a one-off, hastily executed, theatrical “surgical-strike,” which turns out to have been not-so-surgical after all?

Well my apologies, for I did not know that apart from a writer, a columnist, ‘human rights champion’, you also excel at Military and strategic affairs. For how else, would you know that it was  a hastily executed and theatrical strike.

I wonder if Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa would agree with you! Would you like to have a debate with him where you could perhaps explain how it “should have been executed”.

And what an irony it is, that while this irresponsible nuclear brinkmanship is being played out in our subcontinent, the mighty United States of America is in talks with the Taliban forces

Well! Mighty Americans is it? Wow. But wasn’t it the same Americans who attacked Vietnam, Iraq  and mucgh before that dropped Atom Bombs. Not that I have anything against America (I respect and love their notion of national pride) but I am wondering how come you are patronising a nation which chose to quell human rights and freedom in nations that were geographically separated by thousands of miles apart from culture,language and other traits.

By the way, the same Mighty American president had not objected after what you called the hastily conducted surgical strike. France, Israel all supported India and its current Prim Minister. But of course, they know less than you.

As one pithy Twitter commentator put it, (she was referring to the increasingly popular Hindu vigilante practice in North India, of tracking down and lynching Muslims accused of killing cows), how is it that the BJP “can trace 3 kg of beef but cannot trace 350 kg of RDX”?

Remember the Mark Twain remark above? You again blunder. It was not a “she” but rather a “HE” and that HE has a name – Congress Leader Harooon Yusuf from Delhi. Yes same Haroon Yusuf who was caught eating while he was apparently ona day long fast. Some integrity indeed  and no wonder you choose to quote him, though changing his gender. I wonder how he would take it.

But after the air strikes he was quick to appear on TV to take credit, sounding for all the world as though he had personally flown the planes and dropped the bombs.

Is it? To the best of my memory, it was Mr. Vijay Gohale our Foreign Secretary and later three joint chief of staff who appeared on TV and confirmed the attack. Seems you are not a fan of Mark Twain at all.

And since you love Mighty Americans, just let me know if Barack Obama personally joined the SEALs when they went to Abottabad. I am asking since you are lamenting that our PM did not personally drop the bombs.

Newspapers followed suit with ridiculous, embarrassing headlines. The Indian Express said: ‘India Strikes Terror, Deep in Pakistan’

Embarassing! Ridculous! Really? So Pakistan were not terrified at all, so much so that they blanketed the air space for hours. The marketsin Karachi sensex crashed down and as reported in news, many elites of Pakistan left the country in a hurry. Pakistan turned off its ligts, pulling the cpuntryinto darkness. I am sure they enjoyed it and these were not out of fear.

Meanwhile he and his men were out electioneering. Doubters and dissenters were terrorized by Hindutva trolls, charged with being anti-national, or just debilitated by the fear of the on-call lynch mob that seems to lurk at every street corner in North India.

The champion of breaking India, so much so that you single out North India. People reported elements who insulted the nation and its forces, to law officers and it happened Pan India. Whole nation got united and it happened in “south India “ too as well as “East India”.

The sheen of false victory faded quickly after Pakistan struck back, shot down a fighter plane and captured a pilot of the Indian Air Force—Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Struck back? Care to explain? Did we attack Pakistan to provoke them for this “struck back”. Seems you must have danced in gay abandon when Pakistan ‘struck back’.  Would you mind a lot if I call your behaviour and mindset deplorably fractured.

The madness on television, fed to people like an IV drip morning, noon and night, asks people to lay aside their woes, their joblessness, their hunger, the closing down of their small businesses, the looming threat of eviction from their homes, their demands that there be an enquiry into the mysterious deaths of judges, as well as into what looks like the biggest, most corrupt Defense deal in the history of India, their worries that if they are Muslim, Dalit or Christian they could be attacked or killed—and instead vote, in the name of national pride, for the very people that have brought about this devastation.

Aah here you go again doing what you do best! Creating smoke without fire. Creating issues where there are none. Small business closing down? Where. Haven’t you known that the number of start ups in India inlast 2-3 years has been a case study over the world? And,since when did death by heart attack be known as Mysterious death. Regarding corrupt defense deal, yes you are right. I  grant that! National agencies are looking at Augusta wasteland deal. But like Bofors, we will not leave the culprits. Keep your fiath in the PM. Yeh khata bhi nahi hai, khane deta bhi nahi hai.

Whatever anybody’s opinion of him, and whatever Pakistan’s role has been in the Kashmir conflict, Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has acted with dignity and rectitude throughout this crisis. 

Dignity? Where was this dignity when Maj. Vikram Batra was captured? Imran Khan has acted as a very good PR man. I give that. But isn’t it little strange that he chose to become dignified within minutes of announcement of joint brief by chief of services.

Regarding “whatever Pakistan’s role in Kashmir conflict”, it is so naïve of you to even have mentioned this. Have you heard of ISI?they have bled OUR beautiful Kashmir for years. Does the name Hamid Gul ring a bell? 

Does the name Md. Salauddin ring a bell. He lives in Pakistan now. 

Do you remember a name called Zia Ul Haq who said that we will bleed India with thousand cuts.  

And, care to explain why the dignified Imran Khan did not attend OIC just because Ms. Sushma Swaraj was invited? Any idea? Dignified!

Ms. Roy, grow up!

This government has wounded India’s soul so very deeply. It will take years for us to heal.

Modi has to go. The quarrelsome, divided, unstable Coalition government that might come in his place is not a problem.

Our soul doesn’t wound so easily. We have had attacks imposed on us in the past and perhaps in future too but the notion of a nation and its soul is cast in trimmings of gold so as not to get hurt so easily. What will take years to heal though is the unrelenting, consistent and sustained attack on our nation by our own people many of so called Intelligentsia, who have got all the benefits, who have been loved, accorded social position, who over their champagne in elegant dress in evenings of discussion in their mushy drawing room left no stone unturned in breaking this nation. It has hurt us but not broken us. It can’t and it won’t ever.

Yes,Modi has to go! From 2014-2019 to another term starting from Mid 2019. While you defined the opposition parties most aptly, they do not have the moral quaifications to lead this nation. A new era has been heralded in 2014 when the country got a man who meant business. Business of leading India to wards development, towards a feeling of ‘WE’ from ‘I’…a sense of pride.

A time shall come when millions of Indians would proudly say- We lived in the times of Modi. This writer will be one of them.

Cheers, take care.

A common Indian!