RELATIONS between Pakistan and India have historically been characterized by tension, mistrust and diplomatic coldness.
From border skirmishes to military challenges and sometimes incendiary rhetoric that inflames fear and hatred among the masses, the bilateral trajectory remains fraught.
Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public rally in Bhuj district of Gujarat, directly addressed the people of Pakistan and declared: “Live peacefully, eat your bread – otherwise, my bullets are always ready!”
Such remarks have once again darkened the regional atmosphere.
While India pleads for ceasefires on international platforms, Modi ignites new fires as soon as stability begins to return.
It’s the classic case of “a dagger under the arm and the chant of peace on the lips.”
When a head of government uses this kind of language, it carries two serious implications – one political and the other moral.
In international diplomacy, if a state wishes to criticize another, it targets the government or the military, not the general public.
Using hateful language against the people is a blatant violation of diplomatic norms and international laws.
Such words deal a severe blow to generational efforts for peace, trust-building and regional security.
History seldom records examples where a ruler used public hatred against another nation’s citizens to fulfill political goals.
Yet whenever such instances occurred, the consequences were devastating.
In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party, created a hostile environment against Jews in Germany that shook all of Europe.
At every rally, Hitler referred to Jews as “the misfortune of the world,” proclaiming: “The Jewish nation must be cleansed from the stench of this world.” The outcome?
Germany suffered a crushing defeat in World War II, the Nazi Party was dismantled and Hitler committed suicide in the face of utter humiliation.
In the 1990s, as Yugoslavia disintegrated, Serbian President Slobodan Milošević spewed venom against Muslims, famously declaring: “We will cleanse Serbia of these Muslims!
” This inflammatory rhetoric paved the way for genocide.
Serbia was labelled “the butcher’s land,” and NATO launched airstrikes against it.
The aftermath saw the disintegration of the Yugoslav federation into multiple states and the rise of an intense multi-national crisis.
Eventually, Milošević was captured, declared a war criminal and died in prison.
In 1935, when Italy invaded Ethiopia, fascist leader Benito Mussolini referred to Muslims as “savages” and announced: “We will teach these Muslims civilization through gas and bombs!”
This statement drew severe international condemnation.
In World War II, Italy faced a decisive defeat.
Mussolini was captured and publicly executed due to massive public hatred.
His body was hung in a town square, where angry citizens pelted it with stones in contempt.
These three historical examples serve as undeniable proof that arrogant, hate-filled rhetoric targeting civilians is not only immoral and unlawful but also results in long-term consequences that haunt the instigators.
Modi must take heed from history and realize that any leader who targets innocent people writes his own failure into the pages of history.
The global order today demands that leadership should bring hope and security to people—not threats of bullets and bloodshed.
—The writer is an Islamabad-based senior media professional, researcher and analyst of international affairs.
