Came the demolition of Babri Masjid by the BJP and other Hindu fanatics and later on there appeared a change in thinking of BJP for the betterment. It looked the demolishers of the Babri Masjid have realized their folly.
Came the ruling from Parrikar government for cancelling of Christian holidays in Goa and later on there came a change not only in Parrikar but also in BJP, Goa.
Similarly, I feel there is a change in Modi’s attitude towards current India. It looks he is going to be a changed Modi from what he was in 2002 Gujarat riots Modi. I am sure he must have realized the folly of being parochial and narrow minded in his thinking and actions and precisely because of this change in him he gets the great credit for inviting Nawaj Sharief for his oath taking ceremony.
It was a great step on Modi’s part because thru this invitation Modi succeeded in eradicating the psychological barrier existing between the two great neighbours since last one decade. When the late Anwar Sadat, the then president of Egypt visited Israel in late seventies, he said his visit was to pave the way for eradicating the psychological barrier existing between Egypt and Israel and thru this visit everything good will follow, added Sadat. I find lot of similarities between the two visits and feel everything good will follow now for India and Pakistan provided India and Indians will play the role of accommodating Pakistani views and proposals, of course without surrendering national interest.
Pakistan is a hurt country thru the defeats in all the wars it fought with India but the greatest defeat it suffered was in the liberation of Bangladesh war. This was not only a defeat but it was the greatest humiliation about which even after 4 decades every Pakistani feels hurt and as a result think of revenge. With this revenge in mind Pakistan went for producing an Islamic Atom Bomb when Pakistan was ruled by the late Zulficar Ali Bhutto who said “there is a Christian Atom Bomb, Jewish Atom Bomb and Hindu Atom Bomb. Then why not Islamic Atom Bomb?” Further Bhutto said, this Atomb Bomb for Pakistan is very imperative to save the remaining part of Pakistan otherwise India’s hegemonistic ambition will swallow Pakistan. To avoid this Pakistan must possess its own Atom Bomb and to produce it he said “we will have to make all the sacrifices even to the extent if necessary, we will eat grass and save money to finance the production of Atomb Bomb”.
Pakistan and its citizens are living in fear of India, they have no trust in India. This trust must be built by the Modi government by showing non-belligerent attitude towards Pakistan and by accommodating Pakistani views. One thing is certain that because of the fear complex Pakistan will never give peace to India because Pakistan is governed by dual governments and the second government ruling Pakistan from behind the curtain is more powerful and more dangerous to India. The more powerful government wants to weaken India in every way and to achieve this goal it will create all the boulders on the path of friendship between the two nations. It is not democratically elected government of Nawaj Sharief that rules Pakistan alone.
However, the bold step taken now by Modi must be carried forward even if India has to be submissive to a certain extent. Only BJP could bring the reconciliation between the two neighbours since BJP as rulers are in a better position to do this otherwise out of power they were more vociferous against reconciliation just like Shiv Sena who are now surprisingly remained silent on Nawaz Sharif visit to Delhi. If this invitation was sent by Congress Party I am sure BJP and Shiv Sena would be making more noise against inviting Sharief to India. Hence, BJP under Modi is in a better position to carry forward the friendship between India and Pakistan. Not only to carry forward but also to build it on a strong base for the good of posterity in both the countries.
While concluding, I wish Modi government all the best.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel:7507394349.