Pulwama: Pulsations India Felt

Labelled as probably the deadliest attack on Indian Security Forces since 1989, the Pulwama attack was nothing but a blatant example of cowardice and depravity. The losses incurred were significant and no amount of ex-gratia compensations or appeasements could fill the vacuum created. However, looking back at the past, one can't deny the fact that the incident, apart from its catastrophic magnitude, was peculiar from the others in one other way. That other way being, the aftermath.

The attacks drew severe criticism from all the cadres of the society, and even the international community didn't mince its words in denouncing this dastardly act. The social media buzz coupled with various bandhs and marches were the testimony to the kind of mood prevalent across the country. The attack, it seemed, provided a much needed catalyst to the process of unification of the masses and the way the nation reacted as a whole was very heartening to see. The social media platforms are being closely monitored and strict actions have been taken against those celebrating or supporting this desspicable act. However, on a deeper introspection, one could almost instantly realise that on some fronts, the discontent and the anger took a negative turn. The persecution of Kashmiri students repeated use of the 'anti-national' phrase for any or every individual with a moderate stance and continual juxtaposition of retaliation with an all out war, to a certain extent, corrupted the very essence of the criticism of this heinous act.

The hike in custom duty, withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status, suspension of Srinagar Muzaffarabad bus service were certain spontaneous steps the government took in the wake of the attacks. India, suffered losses on some front too. The IOC suspended India from hosting a major World Championship as the visas to Pakistani shooters were denied. With everything taken into account, the major point which I felt was still completely ignored was the cause of regular such attacks on the Indian Armed Forces. Uri, Pathankot, Gurdaspur and now Pulwama highlight the fact that probably zero attention is being paid to identify the glitches in our security establishments and possibly rectify them.

Questions such as replacement of ground convoys with air convoys require immediate attention. Amidst all this, the Abhinandan Varthaman episode was exceptional and the valor and grit exhibited by the IAF pilot symbolised the indomitable and unbreakable spirit of this great nation. Despite the terms of Geneva Convention, the step taken by Pakistani PM deserves special applause and his willingness to reduce the tension between the two nations via dialogue gives hope for a better relation between the two nations in near future.

As the pyres are lit and nation mourns the Pulwama martyrs, the society must channel its anger and demand that political and security classes rise above partisan politics and evolve a firm consensus to end thee terrorist attacks on the Armed Forces of our nation. Let everyone realise the enemy and not condemn any arbitrary entity just for the sake of garnering political sympathy and support. More focus and emphasis should be laid on eradicating the discrepancies in security arrangements of the army personnel and bettering the already existing layout, rather than showing illogical agitation. Let us all realise that in this present day and age, pointless warmongering is no solution for existing problems at all, for in the words of the great British philosopher, Bertrand Russell:

"War does not determine who is right, but only who is left"