In
recent times the whole world appears to have been suffering from a sense of
insecurity which it has never experienced earlier. Ironically, it has all been its own making as no nation had ever
thought of contributing to the establishment of a just world order that would
have a better distribution of wealth in the world among its population. The recent attack on America vindicates this
point. The question raised is that
whether it was right on the part of the terrorists to have perpetuated such a
monstrosity against such large number of innocent people who have nothing to do
with the political power game. But it
has been the method chosen by the terrorist groups functioning from various
quarters of the globe, in order to accomplish their goals, justified or
unjustified. It has been the contention
of India for more than three decades that the so-called developed nations
should take a serious note of the ever growing menace of global terrorism. Since they were never attacked, nor ever
they thought that anybody would ever venture an attack on them, all Indian
protests were unceremoniously ignored.
Now the vulnerability of the U.S., stands more than exposed. The nations of the world are put on
alert. The attack on America, stands as
a strong warning to all the nations pursuing policies aimed at exploiting the
weaker nations for economic gains. It
has also political overtones.
It
is common knowledge that the Taliban was a creation of the Americans with the
assistance of Pakistan as they wanted the Russians to be thrown out of
Afghanistan during the cold war years.
Osama Bin Laden happens to be the Frankenstein’s monster. The meticulous planning and flawless
execution of the worst conspiracy that went into the attack on the WTC towers
and the Pentagon had sent such frightening signals to the nations all over the
world that, every nation began to tighten up security measures. Driven by a sense of unprecedented fear,
nations began to utilise all their resources in one direction, i.e., security
against terrorist attacks. The fear was
compounded by the appearance of Anthrax coated letters being posted from
unknown destinations. For a moment it
had appeared as if the entire edifice of the U.S., administration began to
collapse as the Senate, the Supreme Court and even the White House were closed,
though for a shortwhile. India and
Israel were also warned by the terrorist organisations who attacked the U.S. Evidently, it was the Muslim fundamentalists
who were behind this horrible massacre of thousands of innocent people
belonging to more than sixty five nations.
Once it was established the
Al Quad organisation headed and funded by Osama Bin Laden, with a number of
branches in various countries over the world having very close links with the
Taliban that was at the back of the attack.
Mr. Bush, the President of America resolved to punish the Taliban and
hunt down Osama Bin Laden. As a long
suffering victim of cross border terrorism from Pakistan, India has offered
unconditional help to the U.S. But
Pakistan appeared to have played its cards well by going all out in support of
the U.S. by exploring its geopolitical position. It has utilised the opportunity in resoling its myriad problems
including economic crisis, though it has lost the sympathy of the Talibans and
even to a large extent the Muslim nations.
India has obtained an assurance from U.S., Britain and other countries
that the war against terrorism does not stop with Afghanistan. On it’s part the Prime Minister’s visit to
Russia, the U.S. and Britain had helped in projecting India’s stand on various
national and international issues. By
entering into strategic partnership with Russia by strengthening diplomatic
relations with the U.S. and by vehemently criticising the trade policies of the
advanced nations in his speech at the UN General Assembly, the Indian Prime
Minister had sent a message that India is a nation with a will of its own and
that it is competent to tackle its problems itself.
The
recent capture of Mazara-Sherif, Kabul and Jalalabad and the imminent fall of
the Taliban stronghold Kandahar have made the coalition partners intensify
their efforts to forge a broad-based government under the control of the United
Nations. Ofcourse, the victory of the
Northern Alliance is not to the liking of Pakistan, which is in difficulties.
It is all a different picture as we analyse the internal political situation in India. The following are the highlights:
(a)
The
Supreme Court of India has richly contributed to the healthy working of Indian
democracy through its unanimous judgement in the case against Miss Jayalalitha,
the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the judgement banning smoking in
public places.
(b)
The
reinduction of the former Defense Minister Mr. George Fernandez in to the
Cabinet is widely criticised as a retrograde step.
(c)
The
dubious methods employed in changing the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and
Uttaranchal are not regarded as fair political practices for a Party that
claims to be different from others.
(d)
The
attempts at restructuring of academic courses have become controversial on the
plea that they haron the secular character of education.
(e)
The
POTO is being vigorously opposed by the opposition parties and a few others.
(f)
Finally,
the ban imposed on the SIMI in the wake of the terrorist attacks on America
although it is cleared by the courts at the moment, has come under criticism as
the government, according to critics, was lenient towards organisations like
the RSS, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal which are alleged to be carrying out
attacks on the minorities.
In conclusion, it would appear appropriate to note that, in the critical situation prevailing inside and outside the country, with all sorts of coalitional compulsions heavily hanging over its future prospects, the NDA government sums to be pulling on well.
Let us hope all parties including the opposition will desist from giving priority to party interests above the national interests.