Sunday, May 20, 2007

The Violently Volatile Atmosphere of India

We challenge the culture of violence when we ourselves act in the certainty that violence is no longer acceptable, that it's tired and outdated no matter how many cling to it in the stubborn belief that it still works and that it's still valid.
~ Gerard Vanderhaar


Over the last few days, news about India is pretty well dominated by acts of violence - be it Hyderabad, Punjab or Singur - whatever be the cause, whoever may be responsible, this blog does not deal with that...

What this blog deals with is the fact that we are becoming an increasingly violent society... We literally give call to arms at the smallest provocation... sometimes before the cause is established or who initiated or why the triggering incident occurred, suddenly large mobs gather & go around shouting, beating up innocents or scapegoats, killing, maiming, pillaging, burning, looting, sacking & generally making everyone miserable in their misguided quest for justice.

Even in cases like Hyderabad, where the initial blasts were the handiwork of the enemies of the state, why did we loose our control & start mob rioting instead of keeping calm & showing some solidarity & help? Why did we have to play right into the hands of the secessionist elements who triggered off the blasts to divide India & destroy its harmony, by further setting off chain reactions of violence? Why does the media have to report potshots taken by our so-called leaders as to who is responsible, before investigations have properly started, & why does it not act responsible & spread messages to calm the society & help us project a message that we, the people of the Sovereign Democratic Republic of India, will not let the secessionists' designs affect us?

In Punjab & cases earlier, we are seeing increasing cases of religious intolerance. Religion, which is supposed to be a private issue, is becoming increasingly a hair-raising trigger for violence - a small whisper, a small deviation, a small expression of artistic freedom - becomes a matter of ego & pride, & we just attack. We do not even realize the fact that the more we indulge in violence, the farther we go away from God..

Have we finally lost our senses - our sense of calmness, courage under fire, rational thinking, tolerance? Are we seceding from the civilized world? Will the resurgent Indian story be again mired in darkness & chaos?

Where are the voices & forces of Peace?

These are questions that need to be answered if each Individual Indian is to enjoy his/her right to Life, Peace & Prosperity.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Political Power & Vacuum

"Nature abhors a Vacuum" - Aristotle.


For quite sometime, I have been reading and re-reading a book of Frederick Forsythe, called Icon. Apart from being a favorite book of mine, it has some rather interesting viewpoints about replacing a leading player in Political Power.

In the book, one of the chief protagonists makes an observation that, if we are to replace a powerful figure in the political sphere - irrespective of whether he or she is a tyrant or a benevolent ruler - simply discrediting or assassination will not work. We shall have to have a equally powerful candidate ready to occupy the vacuum left when that person is removed. This is because, some unfavorable person may take over the position, nullifying our efforts.

A prime example of this is the Israeli reaction after the Massacre at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The rather superlative Israel secret service, Mossad, launched Operation Wrath of God or Mivtza Elohim and Operation Spring of Youth. Ostentiously, it aimed at assassinating those who were responsible for Munich, for revenge, for demoralizing the PLO & for preventing future attacks. Thus the operation functioned not just to punish the perpetrators of Munich but also to disrupt and deter future acts. The results were there - for quite a period PLO was not effective.

But was the effect long lasting? As we can all see - it was not. The mission was flawlessly executed, as far as can be ascertained, as seen by the weakness of the PLO in the aftermath... But, then it re-established itself & is back in the business of terrorizing & taking lives. Because the void left after the assassinations have been re-filled, as Mossad failed to grasp the opportunity to subvert the movement by hoisting its own people into the ensuing void after the assassinations.

One aspect of this strategy which is to be borne in mind is that, efforts are thus divided into two roads - removing the current incumbent, and nurturing and protecting the favorable , equally powerful replacement. Well, no powerful person would like a potential rival on the rise to remain on the scene for long... & no powerless puppet will be acceptable... not for long.

A powerful concept, implementation is hard, but the main boon is that very few things are left to chance. And as the saying goes, good plans are those which do not depend on chance, but have been made with all scenarios in mind.

As for Icon, the story starts on that premise and builds up to a rather spell-binding read. Recommended.