India
In the name of democracy.
As the Preamble to our Constitution states, “WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC“. However the question arises, do we at all care to protect our democracy? If yes, why do we refrain from asking the Government how Adil Dar (a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant) drove his car, packed with explosives, into a CRPF convoy passing through Pulwama district in South Kashmir, killing nearly 40 Jawans?
Any movement of CRPF battalions is supposed to be absolutely secretive, yet this terror attack took place because an SUV loaded with approximately 350 kilograms of explosives rammed into a CRPF convoy of about 70 vehicles that was on the way to Srinagar from Jammu. How? Is it not a surveillance failure? Of course it is. Are the men in Indian army not Indian citizens that they do not fall under proper surveillance? How can the administration be so casual with their life? Further, why is the death toll in Kashmir rising with every passing day? Why is it that youths like Adil are joining homegrown militant forces rather than helping eradicate the curse of terrorism from what we all see as a heavenly land blessed with natural beauty?
Indigenous militancy within Jammu & Kashmir is currently complementing cross-border terrorism and the government has failed to win over the people of Kashmir. There seems to be a lack of effort from us all. Unless it is some terrible attack, how many of us take interest to talk about the day-to-day situation faced by the civilians Kashmir? How many of us question the government on a regular basis about the well-being of the civilians as well as the protection of our army at duty?
Unless it’s some event like Uri or Pulwama, how many amongst us post on social media, on a regular basis, about the painful suffering of both our fellow citizens of Kashmir and our Men in Uniform fighting against all odds abd natural calamities because of their love of their country. Why isn’t the rest of India disturbed through out these times? Why does it showcase its pseudo-nationalism only after heavy loss like this occurs? How can you call Kashmir an integral part of India when you are not ready to take any responsibility for the situation of unrest that has been ongoing for decades now? Why is there no political solution to this issue in particular when it is one of the major reasons for political unrest in the stare?
We, as a country, as a society, have failed. We only moan on social media for only for a couple of days after such terrific massacre takes place. Shame!
The surgical strike used in Bollywood films have now become huge political campaigns. But how many of us really questioned what purpose it serves in the long run? Not that there weren’t any surgical strikes before. But no producer was happy to spend their cash on making a Bollywood movie about it. We were spared the misery. Till now.
Owing to the gravity of the situation, both individuals and media houses are passing random expert comments on the terror attack. They want war. However I personally believe a war cannot be a solution. It will only worsen the situation, causing a rise in civilian casualties.
We have to think for something really constructive. We have to put a full stop to terrorism. This must stop for the love of the universe. The lives of our jawaans and civilians cannot be the cause of rise in TRPs. They have better reasons to live.
It is true that to crush terrorism, extreme actions requires to be taken. However that should not cost us the life of Kashmiri civilians. It has only been a year or so that Kashmir was put under presidential rule. The PDP and BJP must take responsibility for their actions in the last few years. It is high time they realise that democracy should not be taken for granted.
But first, we, the people of India, must acknowledge the power of democracy and pledge not to misuse it. Let us all rise in the name of democracy.