The terror organizations and their mentor ; Pak ISI are always having a keen eye on developments in India and so every time they carry out a major terror attack, it has a purpose ; political or military.
Although, this is surely not the first time that Terrorists have carried out targeted attacks against Hindus and Sikhs , they have done so many a times before, but these recent attacks also like the previous ones have a purpose because the Sikhs and Hindus were first identified and shot for being who they are. Therefore, the presence of Muslim casualties, should not be an excuse for soft peddling this fact.
In order to take stock of the situation, we need to understand the purpose and respond as a Nation and as a Society accordingly. The purposes can be ;
One. Create a Political situation where in the BJP which considers itself a messiah of Hindus is discredited. No wonder, the first reaction from various Policial outfits in India was ; BJP has failed to provide security to Hindus and Sikhs. Neither the Demonetization nor the abrogation of article 370 has helped reduction in terrorism. This may surely dent the BJP’s image and in particular Mr Modi’s image, as savior of Hindus. These attacks play squarely into the politics of communalism in India. The plight of Hindus, and now Sikhs in Kashmir, has always been communally exploited.
Two. Exploit the communal fissures/ cracks developing in India. The more these Hindutva groups emboldened by BJP’s electoral success shout ; India as Hindu Rashtra, the chances are that these Jehadis will exploit these opportunities to target Hindus, which will further enhance the Hindu-Muslim divide. Hence, do not get surprised that a major Hindu temple , may be in Jammu region or in Kashmir might be attacked soon. This will further create an environment of animosity between the Hindus and Muslims. It’s a vicious circle and as a society we need to understand this.
Three. These attacks also convey that Jehad is still not over AND Abrogation of article 370, removing 35 A and trifurcation of State has not helped mitigating terror. In other terms, its a reminder to all of us that in the absence of a comprehensive political settlement that involves all parties, one cannot claim to achieve victory. Small groups of terrorists, will always be able to infiltrate and select softer targets. It is easier for BJP to politically use the plight of Hindus in Kashmir than to provide them security. Hence, the Govt and its supporters must refrain from making tall claims of Normalcy and Triumph in Kashmir, inorder to avoid innocent civilians being targeted. Its better to do things quietly without shouting your lungs out and sharing morphed pics of Janmashtmi being celebrated in Valley. These innocent Hindus and Sikhs have been killed because of such irresponsible acts and claims of some Hindus residing in safer areas.
Four. The attacks are meant to compel the Govt to respond. The first response is Local in nature which entails security forces carrying out extensive search operations, this creates alienation amongst the locals. The second one is responding to the external dimension. There is no doubt that this is the work of groups supported by Pakistan ISI. So, this attack is a reminder that air strikes, even if they are within our rights, are not a solution to the problem of terrorism.
Five. Demography is a sensitive issue in India and Political violence in India is often intimately tied to it. We must appreciate that in Kashmir, the fear of altering demography after the abrogation of Article 370 is real. So, these killings might be to deter the Govt from doing so. There is hence a chance, that , claims made by some stupid politicians that properties sold or transferred by Pandits will be recovered, might have provoked the muslim hardliners ? or it can be to deter investment especially in land and property? Or may be these attacks are aimed to make sure that even the small Hindu-Sikh groups left in Kashmir leave?
Conclusion.
The success of air strikes notwithstanding, our security dilemma is now worse than it was a few years ago. The BJP government might want to break free and respond using armed forces but its hands are now even more tied when it comes to solving security dilemmas. We have succeeded once , by carrying out an air strike but with the Air Def capabilities that Pakistan possesses , its not possible for IAF to succeed every time. Once again , this attack is a question to the Govt ; Hum to bar bar marengey tum kya kar logey and in the absence of any response, the BJP Govt’s image is likely to suffer a big dent. Therefore, it is mandatory that the initiative that we had seized Post air strikes must be retained at all costs and for that to happen we need to be a step ahead of the devil ; militarily, politically, technologically and by any other means we can think of. the moot point is WE NEED TO MAKE THE ENEMY REACT.
Secondly, when you have a communally surcharged public, which enjoys political patronage from the highest levels, terrorism has a greatest chance of succeeding. For instance, the social media is full of such messages; why are n’t the politicians visiting Kashmir instead of Lakhimpur. In a communally surcharged environment the distinction between the terrorists and the community to which they belong often gets blurred. A responsible political leadership would make that distinction, But the people cannot. Slowly but surely, these attacks may exploit the deep communal divide that BJP has created in the rest of India. More so, when the Political leadership is fond of resonding to such killings selectively.
Thirdly. It is now very essential that we as a society draw right lessons from these attacks and do not communalise the environment in the country and also not display any triumphalism in Kashmir. If we act with some common sense , we will be able to save lives of innocent people. Unnecessary bravado and triumphalism must be avoided at all cost.
Last but not the least,. The Govt in its endeavour to execute its initiatives discredited the local political leadership, but its very important to understand that a situation of Political vacuum cannot continue forever and its high time now that an alternate leadership emerges.
If we can control the communal situation in the country, we will surely be able to thwart the evil designs of the enemy and also avoid responding to deaths selectively without referring to the religion and caste. For this to happen what we need is a matured Political leadership and not petty politicians who cannot think beyond Religion and Caste.