What can the ordinary Indian citizen do?

The editorial written by Parampoojya Aniruddha Bapu for the ‘Dainik Pratyaksha’ issue dated Dec 25, 2008.

Watching shots from war movies and actually living the war are farther than poles apart. Talking war and making provocative statements do not require effort and thatis why there are a whole lot of people out there, who indulge in this kind of talk. ‘War’, be it of any kind, is best avoided as far as possible; says history standing witness to the fact. However, when the destruction resulting from the avoidance of war is far more horrific than that resulting from the aftermath of war, ‘war’ is the inevitable option. Diplomacy, mediation, dialogue, Bhagvan Shreekrishna did it all in the Mahabharat as Mahaprabhu Hanumant did in the Ramayan, in order to avoid war. Both Shreekrishna and Shreehanumant were well aware that the enemy they were faced with was extremely devious and heartless and did not have the slightest repentance over any wrong and yet these two great beings, epitomes of morality and value, offered to Duryodhan and to Ravan respectively, a chance to avoid the war.....and this precisely is the tradition of the Indian culture. the Indian culture is basically not the warhungry or the aggressive kind; it considers ‘non-violence’ to be a venerable principle in every way. However, submitting to those, who trample on the principles of morality and non-violence is not the mindset of the Indian civilization either. On the contrary, history tells us time and again that firm and strict action has been taken against those, who kick around the principles of morality and non-violence. The Shreekrishna, who seemed inclined to mediate, later, on the failure of mediation, went on to instruct Arjun in no uncertain terms, (‘So then rise Arjun, O son of Kunti, be determined and with a firm resolve, prepare for war.’). In the present situation too, it is standing by its ancient culture and its values that India has made its moves. Pakistan imposed four wars on India, in 1948, 1965, 1971 and 1999. Apart from these, Pakistan has brought about terrorist attacks in various places in India and thus since 1980, i.e. over 28 years, kept fanning the embers of unrest and uncertainty to keep them alive. The attack on Mumbai just cracked the threshold of the Indian’s tolerance. Many are under the wrong impression that it is the attack on ‘Mumbai’ that has triggered this talk of war against Pakistan. Kashmir sees these sort of episodes day in and day out but India never talked of war. So then why talk of war only now? The issue that India is faced with, is not just Kashmir or Mumbai, it is that of Pakistan’s continual policy of impeding India’s progress and for the purpose, of constantly causing damage to India. One might well say, ‘it has indeed been Pakistan’s policy to do so ever since its birth i.e. since 14th August 1947.’ Then why does India feel the need to go to war now? The answer is straightforward and simple - every single field in Pakistan is passing over to the hands of terrorist groups. The destructive terrorist activity not just in India but all over the world thrives on energy sources that can be traced to Pakistan. What with the Taliban now proclaiming clearly ‘we are with Pakistan’! So then Pakistan is no more a mere nation, it is a training school for international terrorism. And India is going to bear the maximum brunt of this. And so it is extremely essential that India takes action against it. During the period spanning the beginning upto the end of war, air attacks are a distinct possibility. If war is avoided for fear of these attacks, there might not be any air attacks; but then is it really possible that Pakistan would on its own, give up causing bomb blasts and terrorist attacks all over India like it did in Mumbai? Not at all. Therefore it would be relatively easier and advisable to face the ‘the known devil - the danger of war’ Or else, these products of the terrorist school of Pakistan will keep causing bomb blasts and other destruction and then no Indian would be sure that a fellow Indian leaving home in the morning will return home safe in the evening. Repeating the mistake that India did with regard to China in the period 1960- 1962, and that too where Pakistan is concerned, amounts to making a public declaration that India fails to learn from history. Deceived by the crafty false pretences and treaties (the Panchasheel) of China, India invited a very difficult situation hindering its progress upto three whole years. The late Mrs. Indira Gandhi ensured that such a mistake never be repeated and this is what we owe India’s present galloping progress to. At the time, no other nation except Russia supported India whereas today several nations afflicted by terrorism stand firm and strong to support India. The United States never wants war on its own soil and that is a fact in history. However, terrorist activity has long since scrapped this norm of the United States. So then statements like the United States are imposing its own war on to India, reducing it to a mere puppet’ only go to imply political immaturity. The India of today is by no means young and so incompetent and helpless like it was in 1962, India’s military and economic strength does not at all depend on American favour, thanks to its position in the international political and the economic scene, the United States just cannot tie down India like they tied down Pakistan. The capacities of the politicians of Pakistan and that of its officials stand no comparison at all with the democratic politics in India and the prudence of government officials belonging here. Therefore, any step that India takes counting on the backing by the United States, cannot amount to fetters for India. If India did launch the ‘surgical attack’ as stated in yesterday’s article, it would become essential for every Indian citizen to extend support to the Indian government and to the Indian army. India has indeed done it during the wars that happened in the past. However, the wars of the past and the war in the times to come, differ greatly in their technique and principles. To destroy the bacterial attack on the body is inescapable if we wish to survive. Antibiotics have harmful side effects. But then antibiotics have to be taken in order to cure the disease and that too despite its ill-effects, which is indeed appropriate. 90% of the times, there are no harmful side effects and many a times they are negligible. Only if the head is safe, i.e. only if life or the vital aspect is salvaged, can we think of secondary issues. No matter if five hundred turbans tear or five hundred hair are pulled out, it is the head that is of vital importance and so must be cared for. What can the ordinary Indian citizen do?
1) In the first place, pray that the war be averted and in the event that it is not, pray that India win.
2) Do the A.A.D.M. course, i.e. acquaint himself with ‘what to do in the event of disaster’ as it is not only owing to war but to terrorist activity that this course has now become a necessity.
3) Refrain from being part of every such statement or propoganda that poses threat to the cordial relations and unity within the country.
4) Keep needs to the minimum during the war period.
5) Not waste foodgrains.
6) Co-operate with the government by way of blackouts, the citizens’ awareness cell, etc.
7) Co-operate with the police force and the fire brigade teams in every area and most importantly not crowd at the site of disaster as this hinders the tasks of these rescue teams. However, do extend as much help and co-operation as they ask or expect of you.
8) Be it a government service, service in the private sector or a private business organization, it is very important to keep at one’s job conscientiously. It is a needof the war times. This automatically eliminates many probable lapses.
9) During the war period, what emerges as a factor of prime importance, is the citizens’ discipline in everyday life. Right from queues for buses to queues at the ration shop and queues at the railway station to queues at the temple, observing discipline is every civilian’s ‘war-time duty’.
10) Neither fall prey to rumours nor spread any.
11) Contribute to the best of your ability to the Indian armed forces fund.
12) Keep in mind that just like the war has a beginning, it has an end as well and so live the time spanning over this period with ‘faithful and firm endurance’ i.e. without wavering in any way.
13) Not lose sight of the time-tested truth ‘Fear always dogs the fearful’ and keep himself and others free of fear. This rules out the generation of any ‘mass hysteria’ whatsoever. There are a few other issues apart from these. Talking about them would be in order, only if and when the need arises.
My dear sons of India-our motherland, alert is the word!