It’s
been barely four years since India was hit by the most audacious
terrorist assaults into its territory when the 10-man squad waltzed
in through the porous coastal security and unleashed their wrath on
India’s commercial capital.
If
it was not for the selfless sacrifice of a Maharashtra policeman,
India wouldn’t have had even a Kasab to save its face.
The
cleansing agents may have removed the blood stains from the CST and
the mammoth railway hub is bustling with activity, but justice
remains a distant dream for the dear ones of those who were gunned
down. Ever since the attack, India has been doing sabre-rattling, and
nothing more, to make Pakistan accountable for its actions.
Despite
more proof emerging about Pakistan’s institutional involvement in
the attack, mostly through work done by foreign intelligence and
investigative agencies, Indian resolve to pursue the case has mostly
remained on paper. Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Abu Jindal, who has been
recently arrested with the help of Saudi Arabian authorities, has
revealed the shocking extent of Pakistani agencies’ involvement in
orchestrating the 26/11 attacks.
Like
it does after every provocative incident, India took a tough posture
cutting off all engagements with Pakistan for a while — only to
concede ground later. While the 26/11 dossiers India sent to Pakistan
might soon be requiring a room for storage, any other country (with
self-respect, which we are desperately lacking) would have put open
bounties for terrorist leaders; and Hafiz Sayeed wouldn’t be
roaming the streets organising rallies and protests.
Even
in the latest round of talks in New Delhi, India was grovelling for
action on 26/11 and Pakistan kept to its regular stand of ‘requiring
credible proof and sharing of information’. Their only real
interest was resumption of cricketing ties! And the shameless
‘super-power-to-be’ that we are, it was granted.
The
government actually left the decision to the cricket associations to
take the call. If cricket and sports ties were never part of
bilateral relations, this could have been considered a ‘mature’
call. However, that is not the case. And since when has the BCCI,
which is not even a government body (actually run by a bunch of
businessmen for their interests), been allowed to take decisions on
behalf of India?
Are
the guys at the helm of the government such dimwits that mass
entertainment is allowed to be a priority over national interests.
The
decision to resume cricket ties as ISI smiles smugly sends out a
wrong message to Pakistan and Indian public. It is a not-so-subtle
declaration that the government would rather have the game raking in
crores in revenues for some private stakeholders than stay resolute
in its resolve to not go soft on Pakistan and terrorism. Former
Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has rightly criticised the BCCI for its
decision.
While
Pakistan has never let up on supporting terrorist activities
targeting India, we have have been going out of our way – and at
times bending backwards – to woo our bête noire. We have fought
four wars; have between us around 400 nuclear weapons meant for
all-out conflict; miniscule bilateral trade; and continuing acts of
terrorism. What is the point in pretending that all the touted
‘confidence-building measures’ will bear fruit and we will be
best friends one day.
We
should have the courage to declare Pakistan a ‘terrorist state’
and invest in strengthening our military and intelligence
capabilities. Pakistan is nothing but a threat and never a possible
friend.
Cricket
is great fun, millions love it, but the cheering galleries won’t
take away the screams of those who were butchered in Mumbai from the
nation’s conscience.
We
must not let BCCI to become Board of Cricket Controlling India.
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