The Hypocrisy of World Politics

The recent terror strikes in the heart of France have left the world aghast and a rare scene of unity has being displayed in its aftermath. The world leaders coming under one roof and using the platform of G20 summit to unanimously condemn the cowardly and barbarian acts of some radicalised extremists. As a measure of repercussion of this provocative act, there has been joint use of force in which selective dens of terrorists are being bombed using aerial route. But what exactly is the root cause of this problem? Who exactly is a terrorist? Instead of a selective approach, let's just have a look at the real picture of what exactly is happening around the world.

The so called 'War On Terror' started with the 9/11 terror strike on the United States in which around 3000 people got killed. The responsibility for conducting such a large scale strike and that too on the most powerful nation of the world, was taken by the terror outfit Al-Qaeda. Even though they initial refused the claim but later they admitted to it. But what was this Al-Qaeda and who was its creator? It was indeed the United States and its allies who gave birth to Al-Qaeda during 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, which was of great significance and strategic importance to it. The Soviet Union was supporting the Marxist inspired ideology and government whereas the US and its allies supported an insurrection led by the Islamic fundamentalists known as the Mujahideens. The US and its allies provided arms and ammunitions to these Mujahideens and after a long struggle for power, they were able to defeat the Marxist ideologue with the fall of Soviet Union. Al-Qaeda was one of the Mujahideen groups that fought with the support of the US against the Soviet Union and later turned to be the biggest basher of United States owing to their policy in the middle east. It probably started with the entry of US troops in Saudi Arabia to counter the Iraqi aggression against Kuwait in the year 1991 that is better referred to as the Gulf War. In short, these so called 'terrorist organizations' were the babies of foreign policy of the West and the European Union which proved to be a historical tactical error for them later on.

Now after learning about the origin of these terror outfits, I would like to ask how to decide who is a terrorist and who is not? What are the parameters to decide that? US, along with its allies, launched a full-fledged assault over Afghanistan in retaliation to the 9/11 terror strike to eradicate the existence of Al-Qaeda. They destroy everything over there and stays for over 12 years. In those 12 years, the number of civilian casualties recorded in official documents is around 15,500. We all can imagine what exactly would be the actual number of dead when the 'official figure' has been quoted as 15,500. Then, the US and its allies takes the 'War On Terror' ahead and invade Iraq on mere assumptions of the country illegally possessing and developing Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMDs) without any concrete evidence. After invasion, they found nothing and the world remains silent. As per official records, the number of civilian casualties reported in Iraq between 2003 to 2015 is 1,65,779. Pay attention, I said 'official records'. Upon further digging, I found out the numbers to be as high as 5,00,000 to 7,00,000. After over a decade of war, they leave that place in an explosively unstable state which ultimately gives birth to the Islamic State terror outfit. Shouldn't these invading powers be labelled as terrorists? Shouldn't everyone involved in that invasion be tried in International Tribunal Courts? How can they get away unscathed after committing such a horrendous crime! Israeli atrocities and human rights violations against the Palestinians are rampant but the world choose to be a silent spectator. Russia annexing Crimea bringing back the memories of the days of Imperialism and the world still stays silent. Who gives someone the right to deliberately hurt the religious sentiments of someone else under the banner of freedom of expression and freedom of speech. One thing is for certain, injustice breeds crime and that is what's happening in the world right now.

The people who are deciding the fate and direction of the world community themselves have their hands dipped in blood! ISIS is a terrorist organization but their reach has become so mighty that they recently shot down a Russian aircraft over the Egyptian territory. How come a terrorist organization obtain such a sophisticated weapon to drown a flying aircraft? Where are they getting these arms and ammunitions from? Who is helping them spread? These are the real questions that needs to be answered out in open but I am sure they won't. I doubt there could be a bigger nexus working behind scenes to generate more demand for defence equipments - be it fighter planes, arms, ammunitions, defence shields or anything pertaining to a state's defence. Communities are being singled out, allegations are flying aplenty, callousness is on the rise but there is probably no solution in sight.

I wish I had an answer to these questions of mine before I conclude my feelings but unfortunately for the very first time, I just don't have anything to suggest. What I see ahead from here is either rise in massive civil movements to demand change and in worst case scenario, which doesn't look improbable now, a possible large scale war breaking the world down in pieces.

Will I Be The Next? Am I Not A Citizen Of This Country?

India is poised to be the next super power. The world can't move ahead without taking India along and we are no longer the third world nation. We are a nation whose strength lies in its diversity and we take extreme pleasure to quote it to the world. Even our constitution provides us every right to practice our own religions. But are we really moving in the right direction?

A party voted into power on its promises of a corruption free nation. A party voted into power on its promises of providing a strong leadership. A party voted into power on its agenda of growth and development. And a party voted into power as a result of anti incumbency feeling against previous government running through the heart and mind of voters. But once voted, they make a U-turn from their agendas and stab a certain section of voters right in their chests!

They talk about Swachh India, Make In India and Digital India. They ask the different quarters of society to give up their subsidies. They talk about an all inclusive growth of society. They talk of India 25 years from now. But is this what's happening at the ground level? Venom being spewed and hatred being spread on the name of ghar-wapsi, love-jihaad and bahu lao beti bachao. Iconic universities being labeled as training ground of terrorists. People being told what to eat, what to wear, what to read, what to do and what not to do. Outlook of a handful of people being portrayed as outlook of the whole society. People voicing dissent against someone being advised to leave the country, which is against the secular fabric of the country that our constitution wove.

Places that have never witnessed any communal disharmony suddenly fire up in flares. 95% of my friends are Hindus and never did I feel a sense of hatred in their eyes towards me. And same is the case with every Hindu that I have spoken from urban to rural areas. Not only do they both live peacefully with each other, but they also help each other in every possible manner in the time of need. I also feel appalled by the temper-flaring, communal and irresponsible statements of my politicians.

All of a sudden, I have started feeling scared. I never have in last 25 years but now I do. I am paying my taxes to the government but still I am being treated as a refugee. If I agree to everything, its fine. But if I pinpoint to certain shortcomings, my patriotism is in question. My forefathers lived and died in this country, but I am still supposed to prove my patriotism! Why am I still a second grade citizen of this country? If there is a racial attack on an Indian national abroad, we unite together in condemnation. But what about the racial attacks being carried out within country and that too, by organizations and root level workers associated with political parties?

The recent mob lynching on 'assumption' of beef consumption in a village in Greater Noida is a shaming example of the ground reality of 'Achhe Din' promised by the incoming government. Out of fear, Muslims are moving to Muslim dominated regions, Hindus are moving to Hindu dominated regions, Christians are moving to Christian dominated regions and likewise. Once this transition phase is completed, what next? Just like quota pitches, we might start hearing sounds of separate states with dense population of one community. Areas will get divided on basis of communities and religions and no one would dare to cross into each other's regions. Elections would be fought on basic survival rather than development and growth. What will I have to do with growth when my life would be under threat if a certain regime assumes the helm!

Things have started growing beyond ignorance. Sense of fear is prevailing in the society. It's like certain people have a complete free hand and are above the ambit of law. They can do just anything and still get away from it. It appears polarization is the only way of election campaigning. Code of conducts are being tattered by words and the boundary of ethics is being pushed beyond limits. I just hope the good sense prevails and I am not forced out of my place. Being an educated youth I feel so. Then I just wonder what the feelings in rural areas would be like.

Forget about foreign investments, even our Indian companies will soon shift their base to some other country if things continue to be so. Amidst such mob lynchings, kangaroo justice and community specific political vendettas, our government may soon take us to the stage of a civil war, just like the one happening in middle east. And then what follows next after a civil war can be very well thought by anyone with even slightest of wisdom. Politics has stooped so low that they have no clue where they are taking this country too. And neither do we citizens who are continuous falling prey to political brain-washing and killing those with whom we have spent our childhood in great harmony!

RIP the constitution of India.