The Mahatma and The Maoists

Every time I see the mindless massacres being unleashed upon innocents by the Maoists, I always wonder what Mahatma Gandhi would have said about the series of senseless slaughters? How would he have dealt with these dreaded criminals who, though shamelessly claim to be engaged into “People’s War”, are actually the biggest advertisement for the adage, “if one had such friends, one wouldn’t need an enemy!”

I think we know the answer to this question all too very well.

Gandhiji would have preached and practiced the philosophy of “Ahimsa” and “Satyagraha” with Maoists as well and would have effectively encouraged them to renounce violence completely. I am sure the Mahatma would have held the same degree of influence against the illusory ideologies of the Maoists as he had had over the English’s concept – rather the lack of it – of India’s independence.

Gandhiji would have made the Maoists look deeply into their dangerous practices of crime and country’s destabilization and would have told then bluntly: “Whatever may be your understanding of the Maoism, whatever may be your so-called reason for taking up armed struggle against the State – and its people – you can never “justify the means” to your “end” which is so-called “social structuring”.

I am sure Gandhiji would have simply marched in his trademark attire and with his trademark attitude into the bastion – heartland – of the Maoists and would have won their hearts and minds! And, saying NO to the Mahatma would have been a monumental task even for these heartless Maoists!

Of course, the Mahatma would have taken the tribals along with and would have first weaned them out of the influence of the Maoists. I am sure those underprivileged people would have understood being grossly manipulated by the militant Maoists and would have vehemently protested by wholeheartedly participating in an uprising against them – following the principles of Ahimsa and Satyagraha, of course.

Simultaneously, Gandhiji would have successfully made the Indian State to implement comprehensive developmental policies and plans in the troubled tribal areas and, thus, would have ensured that the so-called “People’s War” being waged by the militant Maoists was rendered irrelevant.

And, in his endeavor, the Mahatma would have resorted to hunger strikes if he deemed necessary!

Equally important, Gandhiji would have severely opposed the Pseudo Display of Affection (PDA) for the Maoists by their so-called “sympathizers”. Because, this brazen PDA is in effect highly skewed and nauseating and it once again reiterates the fact that these Maoists “sympathizers” are hugely myopic in their outlook.

Finally, the Mahatma would have said to the Maoists: follow the philosophy of Ahimsa and Satyagraha and join the mainstream. This way you will be able to serve the downtrodden people – your people – in reality. Work alongside the government. You have the power; use it – non-violently – to force the government to build basic infrastructure – roads, schools, hospitals, telephones, electricity etc. – in the tribal areas and let them have equal opportunities to develop their skills and lead a better life. This way you – the Maoists – will actually be respected as true leaders.

Therefore, what do you have to say, dear Maoists? Follow Gandhigiri or do Dadagiri? Dadagiri will ultimately lead to your anonymous and much-awaited death in the hands of the State’s para/military forces, whereas, Gandhigiri will ultimately lead to your celebrated status in the society as leaders – people’s people – and your death will see you being honoured by the State’s para/military guns!

Choice is yours.

How long will India let Australia wear its blinkers?

Wish India had an answer from its government and its ministry of external affairs.

Seeing the state of affairs in Australia against Indians, I am sure, Rabindranath Tagore would have erased his famous “freedom” lines from his Gitanjali: “Where the Mind is without Fear and the Head is held High!” … Indians cannot claim to be “free”, not in Australia, at least!

Because, India is still suffering from its “slavery” hangover! The “please-all” and “do-not-offend” self-inflicted syndrome will always be an insurmountable barrier in its global superpowerdom aspirations!

You think I am being unnecessarily critical of India’s global ambitions? Just take a look at the adverse events continuing with Indians in Australia!

Indians are being harassed and beaten and tortured, and, now even being killed, but India is not yet ready to wake up from its slumber! It’s been almost more than a year and half since Indians are being subjected to serious kinds of racial abuse and assaults but our esteemed government has decided to keep mum! Worse, the Ministry of External Affairs is almost non-functional in spite of having a minister and two minister-of-state!

It is a sad reflection of the fact that the MEA members, though in news almost everyday, are too busy “asserting” their claims to Bossism and pursuing their hobbies – Tweeting for sure is a hobby! – infighting and complete lack of coordination & pervasive confusion. But never in all these months since its formation have we heard the MEA doing anything worthwhile in the arena of foreign policy or fulfilling its responsibilities abroad! The assertiveness with which S.M. Krishna proclaimed, “I am the Boss!” and the time Shashi Tharoor – immensely talented but perhaps a bit lost, thus, wasting his time in trivial things like Twitter - spends tweeting, (Preneet Kaur? Do we still remember her?), if only a portion of the time and energy these ministers had devoted to their “actual” work, we wouldn’t have been witnessing Indians being battered and bruised and beaten, and, now even being butchered in Australia!

The “reason” some experts like to give for continuing Australian barbarism against Indians that the Australians are being “jealous” of Indians for their growing economic clout and prowess, and thus, their hatred, they have to accept that how hollow their analysis is of this highly unfortunate situation down under! If only “this” was the case, then the wealthy Indians would have been on the target and not the students! And why isn’t the racist Australia even attempting attacks on the huge population of Chinese residents? Also, these flawed minds have to understand that in spite of escalating anti-Americanism in the world, no one – absolutely no one! – can ever dare to touch an American anywhere on this earth! Because, everybody knows only too well that their “action” would entail severe reaction from the US!

The Indian government, the Prime Minister included and of course its Ministry of External Affairs, does not have the necessary guts to speak strongly against the callous attitude of the Australia government and its failure in tackling escalating incidents of racial violence against Indian students. Why cannot Manmohan Singh simply pick up the phone and talk to Kevin Rudd in a tough manner that “enough is enough” and sternly ask him and his political colleagues with absurd mindsets to remove their blinkers fast? Why cannot the Foreign Minister (or even MOS) immediately go to Australia to make India’s anger expressed well to the establishment there? And, also show solidarity and support to the victims, who, by the way, are our own citizens?! Why has the Indian government still not issued a travel alert against Australia? …

How long will India take to realize the fact that a meek and mute country cannot – and should not – dream of global political position or power? To be heard – and respected – on the world’s high table, a nations needs to be assertive enough! India has to understand that the geopolitical game can be played only by the strong and self-assured.

To sum it up: I wish India had a P. Chidambaram as the Minister of External Affairs. He would have ensured India’s head was held high – globally and in the down under as well!