Sikandar Noorani
PEACE is the much needed commodity in present day world! Interestingly, developed and backward nations both have respective reasons to remain worried about internal stability, prosperity and survival against the perceived threats. We observed the nations gaining and losing the status of superpower within decades! Prosperity and internal stability was sought by major powers through fighting wars at external fronts on various pretexts. Besides conventional methods, proxy wars waged to bleed the target nation with multiple cuts. Over a period of time, quest among the global players have turned more intensified and lethal. Alliances and groupings are shaping up among the dominating and dependent nations. Militarily stronger nations are seeking new partners to strengthen economic base. Economically sound nations blessed with natural resources are desperately joining hands with powerful partners for guaranteed security. This intriguing bond between weak and strong allies creates a market for weapon producers. Much talked about deal of the UAE and Bahrain with Israel revolves around multiple inter-connected aspects related to survival, security, fear, economic prosperity and religio-political ideology. What does bring USA closer to India in present day scenario while a religious extremist cult is at the helms of affairs in New Delhi? American yardstick to measure extremism and religious intolerance is different for India. A reliable partner in South Asia like India to fight out China is more important for USA than bothering about the persecution of the Muslims, Sikhs, Dalits and massive human rights violations in illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
On the other hand, vigilance and over excitement of a few West influenced quarters about recent sectarian spark in Pakistan is enough an evidence of double standards. This is no coincidence that a few days earlier of recent sectarian tension an Indian foul mouth retired major turned anchor predicted the exploitation of same fault lines in Pakistan. It is beyond any doubt that India always shrouds internal fissures by fabricating parallels in Pakistan. When the world points fingers on state atrocities and human rights violations in IIOJK, Indian Establishment diverts attention by fabricating stories about Baluchistan and {erstwhile} FATA. Minorities’ persecution, desecration of worship places and mob lynching are the brand identity of India in general and BJP in particular. BJP style democracy is the worst form of ethno-religious fascism which runs mills of hatred in Parliament and produce universally criticized CAA and constitutional amendment to usurp the quasi-autonomous statehood of Jammu & Kashmir. Demolition of Babri Masjid under a highly objectionable court verdict is in fact the extension of anti-minority mindset which led to desecration of Sikh Gurdwara Golden Temple during Indira Gandhi era. Hateful mindset of extremist Hindu cults compelled the Muslim leadership to demand a separate independent homeland. Unlike India, there has never been any discrimination with religious minorities. Tolerance is the basic ingredient of Islamic teachings and practices.
The Last Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) forgave the worst enemies at the historic moment of conquest of Makkah. No revenge was taken from the Jews and the Christians. Even Jew historians acknowledge that second rightful Caliph Umar (RA) travelled all the way from Madinah just to ensure peaceful takeover of the besieged city of Jerusalem. Fourth rightful Caliph Ali (RA) lost case of his armour to a Jew in the court being the sitting ruler of the state. Pakistan is destined to be a true modern Islamic welfare state since the day it came into being. Religious and ethno-cultural diversity adds multiple colours and fragrances to the overall image of Pakistan. India has always been aimed at deepening the polarization in Pak society on linguistic, sectarian and religious grounds. Unlike the past, now Indian quarters are seen openly extending threats to destabilize Pakistan by fuelling the toxic themes. Three years back PM Modi announced to move strings in GB and Balochistan to fan the separatist ideas. Top ministers, services chiefs, NSA, countless anchors and media houses towed with deep state feel no hesitation in openly crossing the redlines about Pakistan. Contrary to Indian fabricated propaganda, Pakistan is a pluralistic and religiously harmonized society.
Leaving aside a few individual acts which occasionally occur in many parts of the world as well, Pak society has always been a homeland for all its citizens beyond religious, sectarian and linguistic discrimination. Pakistan’s recent alignment with Beijing is actually a journey destined to economic prosperity, stability and peace. Old tested weapons of linguistic hatred and religio-sectarian division are being re-applied to sabotage the social fibre of Pakistan. Recent developments which led to sectarian tension and dubious social media propagandist fabricating false stories of minorities persecution needs to be thoroughly investigated. Unlike India, tolerant society of Pakistan never strikes its religious entities through mob lynching, social isolation, desecration of worship places and hateful shaming. World knows that Pakistan initiated Kartarpur Corridor plan to facilitate Sikh community at a time when India was desperately trying to wage a war on Islamabad. If we recall confessions of Kulbhushan, it becomes easy to comprehend that recent sectarian spark and negative propaganda of minorities’ persecution have roots linked to Indian deep state. All quarters should strive hard to preserve the traditional religious harmony against Indian assaults.
—The writer is a freelancer who often contributes in national newspapers.
