Author: Chanakya
Publication: BJP Today
Date: June 16-30, 2001
Introduction: India should remember
them before taking a view
* There was no logic to the creation
of Pakistan. The Muslim majority areas had Muslim prime ministers like
Hussain Suhrawardy in Bengal and Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan in the Punjab.
They did not feet at all insecure to want partition. In the minority areas
like UP and Bihar, the Muslims lost many of their leaders who emigrated
to the new dominion of 'Pakistan in 1947.
* The lack of logic or the paradox
of Pakistan was confirmed by its breakup in 1971 when Bangladesh seceded.
* The mohajirs, especially in Sind,
are so unhappy.
* Hate India is about the only reason
for the country's survival. There are separatist movements in N.W.F.P.,
Baluchistan as well as Sind. The three provinces make up some 40 per cent
of the country's population. Most of these people are not interested in
Kashmir.
* Many-Punjabi citizens are concerned
for the integrity of Pakistan and the struggle over Kashmir is considered
a unifying factor.
* Nevertheless few citizens see
the point in the large military expenditure compounded by the denial of
the benefit of Indo-Pak trade. They would, on balance be inclined to settle
with the LOC becoming the international border.
* The economic drain of the tension
between the two countries is much greater on Pakistan than on India.
* However a proxy war with India
is the only justification for the military rule in Islamabad.
* The proxy war also justified the
pre-eminence of the army in Pakistan even when there was civilian rule.
* By settling with India, its CEO
could be popular with his people but resented by the soldiers. Which would
he prefer and what could he afford?
* The first world countries are
anxious, more than ever before, that there is a settlement in Kashmir.
The reason may be that both India and Pakistan now possess nuclear weapons.
Facts or realities are inexorable.
Opinions or judgements are optional. The same facts can lead to differing
if not also opposite views. For example, in 1938, Neville Chamberlain,
Prime Minister of Britain, took the view that peace with Adolf Hitter was
possible. Winston Churchill strongly felt that war was inevitable.
In 1953, the U.S. General Douglas
McArthur was firmly of the view that the Korean war should be carried into
Chinese territory with the object of defeating and stopping the yellow
giant from getting powerful, even if nuclear weapons had to be used. On
the other hand, Harry Truman, President of his country, was equally determined
not to extend the war. He apprehended Soviet intervention and therefore
the possibility of a world war again.
