Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Give access to Kasab-the Killer for credibility of confession

Burney pleading for Kasab's human rights.by suri on 2008-12-31 19:00:34.761531+05:30
Mr.Ansar Burney is worried about terrorist Ajmal Kasab's human rights. What about the human rights of hundreds of innocents killed by Kasab and his criminal partners at CST, Cama hospital, Taj and Trident hotels. The Jehadis mercilessly killed even a pregnant Jewish woman and her husband the Rabbi (and four other elderly Jewish men/women) at Nariman house, in front of her two-year old son. Is this what their religion preaches? Hatred for other religions and no compassion even for the aged and unarmed civilians?
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Expose Kasab on to the Free Indian Mediaby Sanjana on 2008-12-31 16:22:13.807296+05:30
Let them come to India and have the live/recorded investigation aired to the Indian and the World citizens - do not understand why Indian Govt is scared to do it? Or is there something that the Govt is trying to coverup here to its Citizens? If we are rigth then what is the fear to expose - atleast once Indian Govt needs to expose Paks bloodied hands - else even we Indians will stop trusting the Indian Govt. Do not hide unless the Govt of India has some vested interests to hide.
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Kasab and Human Rightsby Suresh.G on 2008-12-31 16:04:21.158935+05:30
Let us allow Ansar Burney to access Kasab, but let him make Pak Government acknowledge that Kasab is a Pakistani first. Once Pakistan owns up Kasab, let us prove to them that he is not a human being, fit to claim Human rights.
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kasabby jyotirekha lenka on 2008-12-31 15:49:14.208668+05:30
Burney wants access to kasab ,fine put him in the same cell with kasab
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Burney's worry about Kasab's human rights.by suri on 2008-12-31 15:38:32.987048+05:30
Mr.Ansar Burney is worried about terrorist Ajmal Kasab's human rights. What about the human rights of the hundreds of innocents killed by Kasab and his partner in crime at CST, Cama Hospital, Leopold cafe 
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Kasab and Pakistanby Suresh.G on 2008-12-31 15:19:18.741716+05:30
It's a good idea to allow Ansar Burney to access Kasab, of course with certain conditions. First let Burney make Pakistan Government accept that Kasab is a Pakistani from Faridkot in Pakistan, then we can brood whether he is a human, warranting human rights. 
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Stone Kasabby Krishna Rao on 2008-12-31 13:56:46.224987+05:30
What else is still required to trial Kasab? Whole universe knows his henious act. By know Kasab should have been stoned to death. Ansar better keep your nose clean. Also it is hard to understand what is left to confess, and why should that militant be allowed to confess. No confession nothing just one trial for nameshake and then execution. First of all allowing him to live till now itself one error.
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Quite indicative of the fact that Burney is an LeT man, fit for elimination like rabid canineby U N S Ecular on 2008-12-31 13:26:22.949069+05:30
Quite indicative of the fact that Burney is an LeT man, fit for elimination like rabid canine.
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Hypocracy at its Bestby Guitty on 2008-12-31 13:25:40.526214+05:30
Human rights does't differentiate between races or origin of country. Mr . Burney it is high time for you to join politics either in India or Pakistan , you will be most sought after party spokspeson . It seems ,rather emotional ,to perceive human rights activist more than the salary paid worker of Institutions of human rights . You know your this alignment has done damage to your profession. Kasab sooner or later will be proved - than will you ensure those behind the crime are punished - can you after this curb terrorism from soil of Pakisatn - no that is not your domain, than why don't you keep quite . 
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Let us do it.by Vikman on 2008-12-31 13:11:21.599458+05:30
Mr. Burney is a good man and has been responsible for pleading the release of many Indians from Pakistani Jails based his advocacy for Human Rights. I think giving him access to Kasab will only bolster India's case as there is no doubt that Kasab is guilty and is from pakistan. I am sure Kasab should and will behanged irrespective of whether we let Mr Burney have access to him.We have nothing to hide, and this will only help.
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What's a real evidence ?by Sanjay on 2008-12-31 12:48:43.792839+05:30
I think Pakistan wants a group photo with terrorist, Zardari, Gilani and the ISI cheif (cheap)to accept that Pakistan was involved in Mumbai attack. Can Pakistan define what they mean by crediable evidence ? If India still wait for US, UK, Somalia, Arab and Maldeavs to put pressure on Pakistan, will be a waste of time... Use the Indian defence where we spend 15000 crores per annum and equiped with best missiles and air force.. As Bruney to mind his business and not invove in such issues, its an issue of life and death for India.. what the hell human rights he is trying to establish when 120 crore indian's live is in stake..Unless current govt. go for a war with Pakistan, its tough for cong. to capture power again.. Look at Isreal, small country Srilanka.. What we are trying to gain by showing our patiency for killing innocent Indians ? 
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Its high time
by Krad on 2008-12-31 14:14:10.493059+05:30
India should declare a war on Pakistan immediately as it is already high time. We have given enough time, evidence for Pakistan to act. There is no point in expecting a country to take action on militants which brutally failed to take action against militants when they killed their own Leader. India should follow Israel which has taken firm decisions on its citizens security by immediately responding to Palestinians attacks. Let the war effects Indian Economy at the cost of healing a deadly tumour. 
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Terrorismby Surendra Nayak on 2008-12-31 12:01:38.532338+05:30
Cut all ties with Pakistan along with trade suffocate them in this way also do not allow any cricketer or any artists to come to India any more unless they hand over all the accused to India. Enough is enough I am very happy that no more Pakistani cricketers would be coming to Mumbai in the near future.
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Access to Kasab
by V V S Prasad on 2008-12-31 15:29:14.22072+05:30
You said what is in minds of majority of Indians. But this Governmet will drag on this war of words till elections.After that every body will forget.They cannot take any action because they loose Terrorist religion votes
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Burney's appealby Chandramohan Shinde on 2008-12-31 11:50:12.907725+05:30
To hell with United Nations Human Rights Council’s Advisory Committee. What about the human rights of those innocents who lost their lives ? This son of a bitch Burney is playing for the gallery of his own countrymen. What right he has to express dissatisfaction over Kasab's trial ? If Kasab is not a Pakistani, then why Burney should have so much affection for him; and if Burney thinks that Kasab is a Pakistani then let him advice Zardari and Gilani to accept the truth of Kasab's nationality. 
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Criminalsby H.M.Parekh on 2008-12-31 11:49:30.664298+05:30
Human rights is for humans only.How abt human rights for all those are killed or attacted by these un lawful criminals. Pour kerosene n burn them opp to VT station in presence of parents of criminals.
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Give access to Kasab----by P.VENKATASUBRAMANIAN on 2008-12-31 11:36:58.981262+05:30
Sir,What does Mr. Ansar Burney want from Indian Government? What does he mean by fair and impartioal investigation? Does he mean to say that Mr. Kasab did not fire at innocent civilians at CST Railway Station, at Cama Hospital etc., This is really preposterous.
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war against terrorby Raghav Singh on 2008-12-31 11:24:13.195391+05:30
even if kasab is allowed to access to Ansar Bruney, than also the repercussion of wouldn't be different. Pakistan has always acted as an incessant sycophant in the matters of cross border diplomacy, and the whole world is aware of the fact. Mr Ansar is talking about taking help from the international agencies like united nations but what is his take on the Pakistan denial of the evidences gathered by the international agencies from Us and Uk over the involvement of LeT in the Mumbai terror attack? This statement is nothing but the a piece of blarneyed assistance to control the fracas caused by Pakistan. 
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Pakistan rated second deadliest for press


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PESHAWAR: Pakistan has been rated second in a worldwide press freedom round-up for 2008 where seven journalists were killed as 60 journalists working with different news organisations lost their lives around the globe. "The Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions are still the deadliest for the press. After Iraq (with 15 journalists killed), the two countries with the highest death tolls are Pakistan and the Philippines (six killed)," Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its 'Press freedom round-up 2008’. Among the seven journalists killed in Pakistan this year, two were shot dead in Swat, two in Balochistan, one each in Bajaur Agency, Sindh and Punjab provinces. A terrorist organisation claimed responsibility for the murder of Chishti Mujahid, a Quetta-based journalist. The RSF press freedom round-up said figures for 2008 were ‘better despite hostile climate and more Internet repression’ around the world. In 2007, 86 journalists and 20 media assistants were killed and 887 were arrested, 1,511 physically attacked or threatened, 528 media outlets were censored and 67 kidnapped. The 2008 round-up said besides the 60 journalists, one media assistant was also killed, 673 journalists were arrested, 929 physically attacked or threatened, 353 media outlets were censored and 29 journalists kidnapped. "The figures may be lower than last year's but this should not mask the fact that intimidation and censorship have become more widespread," the RSF commented. The RSF said it only counted cases in which a link between the violation and the victim's work as a journalist was clearly established or was very likely. "The figures do not cover violations which the victims chose not to report (usually for security reasons).” The fall in the number of journalists from traditional media killed or arrested in 2008 does not mean the press freedom situation has improved, the report said. "As the print and broadcast media evolve and the blogosphere becomes a worldwide phenomenon, predatory activity is increasingly focusing on the Internet." In this respect, the figures speak for themselves. In 2008, someone was for the first time killed while acting as a ‘citizen journalist’. iqbal khattak

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Public Platform

tk_45in wrote:
i have conversed with many pakistanis and i must say that one feels sorry for them . they have been utterly exploited by their army and feudal class and made to believe that india is their enemy . most pakistanis have no jobs, no food but their military is deluding them with dreams of jehad and hoisting flag in red fort and going back to 14th century mughal empire. shockingly it is not just poor pakistanis but educated so called defence analysts who believe in the bullcrap that pakistan is somehow the successor state of the mughal empire (when it is not) and will one day rule india.even in kashmir there so called part , most kashmiris would panic at the thought of joining this lawless country. in the meantime their monster intelligence agency isi has created multiple terrorist groups , some of whom have gone out of control and they see cia ,raw, mossad conspiracy everywhere. this nation needs help otherwise they will blow everyone with them
12/31/2008 3:39:47 PM
sxpati2 wrote:
The line between Taliban, Mujahideen, ISI and Pak Army seems to be very blurr. All of these trying to establish control over Pakistan people and Pakistan Govt. Need of hour is to fully back Pakistani civilian govt to deal with its Military, Taliban and Mujahideen firmly.
12/31/2008 12:20:32 PM
Krishstudent wrote:
Alcoholics cannot consume alcohol. Alcohol consumes Alcoholic.
Pakistani Army does not care about its people as long as they are in power, so they take the lion share of budget right from the top and let hyenas fight for the crumbs.
How do they stay in power? Always keep the temperature up in the state by doing anything to keep the pot boiled. Attack innocents in India, become subcontractor to USA in brokering between Jihadists.
To solve the problem, first you have to identify the problem, Unless Pakistani people rise up against its Army, they will never have peace.
It is just like drug addicts,
1. he is victim of some abuse,
2. he is in denial mode,
3. Towards end, it hit rock bottom, then rehab work,
4. Try to make living like rest of the mortals do.
Pakistan people are in stage 2 of denial mode.
Good luck.
12/31/2008 10:51:58 AM
robert17 wrote:
jatihoon1 wrote:
First Pakistan and ISI with the help of U.S created Taliban to fight Sovits in Afghanistan,then Pakistan and ISI created Islamist radicals to fight India and in Kashmir, its proxy war, and now Talibans and Islamists radicals are fighting its birth givers..how are you going to seperate them, they are the two faces of same coin, joined togather, but cannot see each other face of evil.

===============

The Taliban was created after the Soviets left Afghanistan, and without U.S. help.
12/31/2008 10:28:40 AM
debuchat wrote:
The article stated: " Many Pakistanis still view India as their real enemy and are far less concerned about the spread of radical Islam in their midst---". Now, just go back to the history--India NEVER attacked any country as an agrresor--EVER. India went to war when attacked and to defend herself from either Pakistan and China. This is the main problem with Pakistan and its people. Today, Pakistan would be MUCH better off economically by being a good neighbor with India and not being a "host country" for terrorists and extremists.

USA MUST not supply any money, fighter planes, arms and ammunitions to Pakistan, as they use NOT being used against terrorists. ALL are being used to arm the terrorists to attack India and NATO forces in Afganistan. That's the fact. USA and everyone know it but unwilling to act. I hope Obama administration will see it this way and do something about it. What Pakistan did to India renently, USA would have destroyed Pakistan. However, India restrained. But, rebuke to Pakistan from USA and other nations are like slap in the wrist. This must stop as well.
12/31/2008 10:26:01 AM
shahjahanbhatti1 wrote:
Wish Pakistan to survive by improving law enforcement, judicial system and intelligence.
12/31/2008 9:00:51 AM
TheTruth15 wrote:
Sindhis in Pakistan need to separate themselves fro mthe rest of Pakistan. These hard working ambitious people have no interest in religious extremism forced upon them by the Pakistani Punjabis/Saudis. Ask UN/US/Israeli support for your cause. Perhaps India can help too - just ask Bangladeshis.
Hey Baluchistanis - you are next in line for freedom from these fanatical idiots. Unless you beat Sindhis and seek help first.
12/31/2008 7:50:52 AM
jatihoon1 wrote:
First Pakistan and ISI with the help of U.S created Taliban to fight Sovits in Afghanistan,then Pakistan and ISI created Islamist radicals to fight India and in Kashmir, its proxy war, and now Talibans and Islamists radicals are fighting its birth givers..how are you going to seperate them, they are the two faces of same coin, joined togather, but cannot see each other face of evil.
12/31/2008 7:47:48 AM
awam wrote:
Time to write the wrong.......
12/31/2008 7:46:38 AM
rudy10s wrote:
Well, lets count the ways contradictions abound:
1) terrorism as practiced within Pakistan is BAD; terrorism exported to India if it serves their interest is GOOD.
2) money from America is GOOD, but the Great Satan is BAD

3) The Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) aka Jamaat ud Dawa aka Fill_In_ The Blanks is GOOD for a PoK-- a lawless territory, but J&K is BAD because a successful high-turn out election rejected militant rule

4)The BAD old ISI has reformed in its ways (really?) and that is now GOOD.

Unless Pakistan faces these and many contradictions head on, it is destined to spin out these stories.
12/31/2008 7:23:06 AM
awam wrote:
Bring the boys back home!!
12/31/2008 6:55:40 AM
awam wrote:
Parallel administration everywhere in FATA must be uproted once Bajaur is made an example of government's writ and subsequent welfare of people of tribal areas...
12/31/2008 4:38:06 AM
rameshwar_dhakne wrote:
Nice article, but you said India as "a Hindu-majority, nuclear-armed state" is kind of racist comment. We are multi-ethnic community and we have best blend of all folks.

Also as you mentioned that we (India) have three wars but you can also update info that all three were won by us (India).
12/31/2008 3:33:26 AM
awam wrote:
Armed forces of Pakistan surely dont work as a single parent who is preoccupied with children. Instead the Pakistan war machine is equal to any challenge even from multiple directions. However, Muhammad Ali Jinnah's policy for tribal areas was abandoned by dictator Gen. Zia when he toppled the elected government of that time. That change of Quaid's policy has brought misery to Pakistan in 21st century. The financiers and executors of anti-Soviet war should have foreseen region's future in peace time by using some peace simulators!
12/31/2008 3:04:15 AM
dkanand wrote:
Pakistan today is a head-less state and the only solution available is to divide the Pakistan into small countries may be 4 to 5. It will solve the present state of affairs in Pakistan; the area controlled by Taliban’s can be one country. It will be much easy for UN or US to attach Taliban controlled country and remove all these terrorist from the world. Then peace loving countrymen of Pakistan can also enjoy leaving as normal human beings.
12/31/2008 2:36:17 AM
clearthinking1 wrote:
To all Americans:
Pakistan as a nation is failing miserably and all Pakistanis have to offer is ill-wishes for America and India. It again shows that Pakistan is a failed society based only on hatred.
ECONOMIC FAILURE: Pakistan is bankrupt. Even all the loans from IMF, World Bank, Paris Club, London Club, overt and covert aid from US, and repeated refinancing of the debt have not worked.
MILITARY FAILURE: 4 wars have been lost by Pakistan. Bangladesh was freed in 4 days. The military is demoralized and cannot even control its own territory.
SOCIAL FAILURE: the miserable poverty and exploitation within Pakistan is shocking. The Honor killings and treatment of women is unacceptable.
POLITICAL FAILURE: The military coups, suspension of constitutional law, murders of Bhuttos (father and daughter) reveal no evidence of a modern political culture or democracy.
EDUCATIONAL FAILURE: The lack of modern schools and scientific education shows no potential for Pakistan to develop economically or politically in the future. The madrassas are where terrorists are openly bred.
CULTURAL FAILURE: A nation that looks the other way as terrorists and murders are being trained openly is morally bankrupt. Every Pakistani knows whats been going on in their country, and one must assume they approve of the violence in their heart.
We in the US gave billions of our money to Pakistan to improve their educational system even AFTER 9/11. Instead they squandered our good will and money on their military and ISI.
Pakistanis must stop worrying about the West and India and hoping bad things happen to others. Bad things are happening to you in your home country. Get up and fix it!
12/31/2008 2:32:31 AM
awam wrote:
There is absolute consensus for elimination of terrorist/criminal dens that have infiltrated setted and populated areas. Swat is a historic and favourite tourist destination for people around the world. Once frequented by hippies, the valley and its natives are held hostage to an extent that clerics have promoted bandits, serial killers and ignorance. Even after peace agreement was signed after 1st phase of security search, the militant cleric leader exploited the peace time to replenish arms and militants to bring further misery to the country. The ARMY has ensured the long term survival by repositioning the armed forces according to ground realities of eastern and western borders. Support of locals is late coming but increasing nevertheless.
12/31/2008 2:13:23 AM
sd71 wrote:
'you can't just send in troops. You need to feed people and give them a reason to join you," Murshed said. Even if many Pakistanis are reluctant to confront fellow Muslims and tend to blame the United States for starting all the trouble, he said, "these are criminals, and we are the ones who have to stop them'

why won't they punish the criminals who attacked mumbai instead of supporting them ? on one hand, they say it's america's war and on the other they say america should help them fight the criminals and terrorists-and they want to use us aid and arms to attack india,even if india was the one attacked by pakistanis in mumbai and not the aggressor.

pakistan is going in circles.it does not know what it wants.

12/31/2008 12:49:49 AM
sd71 wrote:
1. pakistan created the taliban
2. the lashkar,formed by pakistan's government attacked mumbai

3. pakistan is using mumbai as an excuse to declare jihad against india.

india destroyed pakistan in 1971. if pakistan attacks, it will completely self-destruct.
12/31/2008 12:41:47 AM
sd71 wrote:
'Furthermore, although Pakistani officials have denounced Islamist terrorism and vowed to quash it, especially since the terrorist bombing of a luxury Marriott hotel in the capital in September, the view remains widespread in Pakistan that the war on terror is America's war and that Pakistani forces are merely being used to fight it. '

america should dump pakistan,cut off all aid.pakistan is carrying out terror attacks in india.pakistan's government and public are aiding and harboring terrorists.they are using us supplied aid and arms in their quest to declare a jihad against india.

12/31/2008 12:31:05 AM
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Pakistan : An International Mess

Attack Brings Military Focus Home

Pakistan Preoccupied With India, but Insurgent Threat Looms


Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, December 31, 2008; Page A10

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 30 -- With Pakistan and its army distracted by revived hostilities with neighboring India, a brazen suicide bomb attack Sunday by Islamist radicals in a northwestern village served as a jolting reminder that Pakistan still faces a real war at home, from an enemy that increasingly threatens to destabilize the Muslim nation of more than 170 million.

This Story

Even as Pakistani troops launched an operation Monday to re-secure the main supply route for U.S. military forces in next-door Afghanistan and army officials here called for an easing of tensions with India, other Pakistani troops were being redeployed toward India from the northwestern frontier, where Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters are widening a campaign of intimidation, religious repression and killing.

On the edge of the scenic Swat Valley on Sunday, suicide bombers killed as many as 40 people in the village of Buner, whose leaders had taken a rare public stand against Taliban predations. Islamist fighters are now reported to control most of the valley, and their leaders have threatened to start bombing all girls' schools there Jan. 15. In the northwestern provincial capital of Peshawar, officials have been assassinated and U.S. military vehicle depots blown to bits.


Yet public opinion and military priorities in Pakistan appear to be focused more on the potential threat from India, a Hindu-majority, nuclear-armed state that has fought three wars with its rival, Pakistan, also a nuclear power. Mutual suspicion and hatred have resurfaced since the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last month, which left more than 170 people dead and have been linked to Islamist groups based in Pakistan.

Many Pakistanis still view India as their real enemy and are far less concerned about the spread of radical Islam in their midst, while the country's powerful army appears to be more comfortable facing its conventional cross-border adversary to the east than waging a messy counterinsurgency campaign against fellow Muslims and Pakistanis on its own territory.

"The Taliban have brought their war to the very gates of Peshawar, but there is no political will to take them on," said Afrasiab Khattak, a secular party leader and human rights activist in the northwest. "The tensions with India have shaken our democratic government and not allowed it to focus on the threat of militancy. This has overshadowed everything else."

Furthermore, although Pakistani officials have denounced Islamist terrorism and vowed to quash it, especially since the terrorist bombing of a luxury Marriott hotel in the capital in September, the view remains widespread in Pakistan that the war on terror is America's war and that Pakistani forces are merely being used to fight it.

Pakistan's former military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, was forced from power last year largely because of public unhappiness about his close alliance with the Bush administration and the Afghanistan-based war against the Taliban and al-Qaeda that it launched after Sept. 11, 2001.

President Asif Ali Zardari, who took office in September after the assassination in 2007 of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has been harshly criticized at home as a stooge for American interests, in part for acquiescing to U.S. drone attacks on insurgent hideouts inside Pakistan, and more recently for failing to strongly defend Pakistan against Indian accusations that it was connected to the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

"The government is under a lot of pressure, and there are people who say the army has just been rented out to do America's bidding. That may have been true in the past, but today we are the major victims of instability caused by terrorism," said Mushfiq Murshed, the editor of a scholarly journal here. "More than 4,000 people have been killed in Pakistan in the last year alone. If this isn't our war, I don't know what is," he said.

Army officials have said they are firmly committed to the war against violent Islamist groups, and in recent months, the army has launched a series of ground operations against them across the northwest. But those actions have aroused deep public resentment and sent thousands of refugees fleeing from their villages, while failing to halt the insurgents' spreading reign of terror.

In contrast to this unpopular and faltering military effort, the recent spike in tensions with India has offered what some analysts call an opportunity for Pakistan's army to return to its historic mission and recover some luster. Though most Pakistanis say they do not want to go to war with India, many say their neighbor needs to be kept in check.

Even if the recent shift of troops away from the Afghan border and toward India proves largely a symbolic gesture, however, some analysts here say they worry a thinning of military ranks in the northwest could give Islamist forces a chance to become more entrenched in the conservative, impoverished region less than 100 miles from the capital. At the same time, they warn, the Zardari government and its backers in Washington must provide economic aid and better governance, as well as military punishment for insurgents, if they hope to enlist the people in the fight against militancy.

"We cannot afford to lose our focus on the war against terror, but you can't just send in troops. You need to feed people and give them a reason to join you," Murshed said. Even if many Pakistanis are reluctant to confront fellow Muslims and tend to blame the United States for starting all the trouble, he said, "these are criminals, and we are the ones who have to stop them."

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REORIENTATION OF THE ATTITUDE OF INDIAN MUSLIMS TOWARDS PAKISTAN AND PAKISTANIS”

(My comments : Mr. Pasha blames Hindus in India for their attitude towards Muslims ...but what about the treatment which is given to Hindus in Pakistan & Bangladesh. I think Indian Muslims are treated far far better.)

Kashmir Watch, December 31 by S.M.PASHA

It will be nothing but sheer hypocrisy if one denies that the attitude of the hardcore communal elements amongst the non-Muslims in our country ( who, fortunately, do not constitute a majority) is not merely callous but openly hostile. This kind of attitude poses a grave problem and the problem affects almost every aspect of the lives of the members of the majority community as well as the members of the Muslim minority community. Whilst Indian Muslims have a sort of sentimental attachment for Pakistan, rabidly communal non-Muslims hate Pakistan for reasons, which they take and even proclaim to be just, reasonable, expedient and patriotic. The open wars waged by Pakistan in the past and the present proxy armed conflicts in the form of cross-border terrorist activities have highlighted the problem in all its gravity and the gravity of the problem calls for an urgent and honest reappraisal of the attitudes. If this is not done, the Nation will not be able to march towards emotional National integration, which is the foundation of communal harmony, social peace and effective defence of the country’s sovereignty and consequently enhancement of its prosperity.

During the Indo-Pakistan wars, Indian Muslims did not create any disturbance of any kind whatsoever � overt or covert � in the nature of sabotage as a token of their support or sympathy for Pakistan. On the other hand, they rose as one man to defend their Motherland and to contribute the maximum they could contribute for the success of the country. This glorious demonstration of their spontaneous, courageous and noble action ought to have laid to rest all suspicions about their loyalty to the country. Alas! It did not. The suspicion, the hatred and the hostility of the hard core communal elements amongst the majority community continued and still continues so much so, these anti-national elements have gone to the extent of coercing Muslims to exhibit and prove their loyalty to India by adopting non-Muslim names like Rama Pasha or Krishna Khan and the like. If a Muslim face is seen, for them, it is like the fierce ringing of an alarm bell to warn them: “here is a fifth columnist, a secret Pakistani I.S.I agent and in their parlance a ‘ghaddar’”. The more the religious look and the more symptomatic the dress of a Muslim, the more convincing it is considered by such bigots as a sound reason to harass, humiliate, and even man-handle or go to the extent of finishing him or her off Leave alone the commoners, men and women of repute are not spared. It is not the commoners amongst the hard core non-Muslim fundamentalists alone who are hostile towards their non-Muslim compatriots. What is still more distressing is that the attitude of the intelligentsia amongst non-Muslims is equally hostile. Though the latter do not openly and aggressively trouble Muslims it looks as if they rejoice if and when Non-Muslim communal elements “teach Muslims a lesson” since in their view “a Muslim is after all a Muslim and nothing good can be expected of him”.

As stated earlier, the attitude of Indian Muslims towards Pakistan and the attitude of non-Muslims in the country towards Muslims are inter-linked. Hence, let us examine the attitude of Muslims towards Pakistan. Is it the same as it is towards any other Muslim country like Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq or Bangladesh? The simple and true answer is a big NO. It is definitely different. The attitude towards Arabia is one of religious reverence inasmuch as the holy cities of Makkah and Madina and “Kaaba: are located there; towards Turkey, one of nostalgic memories of the historic “Khilafath”; towards Iraq out of hatred towards the U.S.A. for its aggression on that Muslim land and out of admiration for Saddam Hussain , who, in their view was a modern day David who faced bravely against the modern day Goliath viz., America; towards Egypt, out of appreciation for the great seat of Islamic learning � the Al-Azhar University; towards Bangladesh, because of the linguistic and cultural links. But the attitude towards Pakistan is what arises out of blood-ties and dearest and closest relationship. There were and still are several families , which have been split because of the Partition; if a grandfather or father is here, the grandson or the son is there; if a grandma or mother is here, a grand daughter or daughter is there; if a brother is here, a sister is there and so on and so forth. Therefore, it but natural for Indian Muslims to have feelings of goodwill for the prosperity and stability of Pakistan and the peaceful existence of Pakistanis. As a matter of fact, it will be an unnatural and gross violation of the Law of Nature if such natural feelings of affection and sympathy do not exist in the hearts of Indian Muslims. The reflexes of the communal-minded non-Muslims in India are very much diametrically opposite and divided. The reflexes are not even neutral but out and out prejudiced and hostile. If any tragedy occurs in Pakistan or if any news of disturbances is heard, it gladdens the hearts of the fundamentalists among the majority community, whilst it is extremely difficult, if not impossible for the Indian Muslims to look upon the tragedy in Pakistan with composure for the simple reason that their kith and kin, near and dear ones are involved in the happening. Thus it is clearer than daylight that the reaction of Indian Muslims is a reaction not primarily to Pakistan as an Islamic country but as a country where reside their near and dear ones with whom they have sentimental attachment. It is imperative that this fact should be clearly understood by non-Muslims because once this fact is realized and once the genuineness of the sentiments of Indian Muslims is appreciated in the right and proper context, a solution is near at hand. Unawareness of the deeper and dividing reflexes causes emotional conflicts. A dispassionate analysis of the situation will make it clear that a two-way or two-front approach will facilitate the finding of a solution. If and when non-Muslims in the country in general and the hardcore elements amongst them particularly realize that the bonds of Indian Muslims with Pakistan are only of the nature of a blood-tie, a great deal of tension, born out of misunderstandings and baseless suspicion is bound to disappear.

It will not be out of context if it is pointed out that the approach of Indian Muslims to this problem is rather tame and cowardly. Indian Muslims, fed up with sharp tongue lashings and endless innuendos and overt as well as covert insults heaped on them by the fundamentalist non-Muslims and scared of their open and veiled threats, pretend as if they are neither interested in nor concerned with Pakistan and Pakistanis. They, at times, hypocritically, attempt to display their lack of interest in Pakistan and Pakistanis by condemning Pakistan and ridiculing Pakistanis without rhyme or reason., vociferously and vituperatively in and out of season. In short, Indian Muslims and their leaders have miserably failed to face the situation squarely with honesty and moral courage.

As far as the members of the majority community are concerned, it is ridiculous and unjust on their part to expect or demand that the Muslim minority community should prove its loyalty to India by cutting off once for all its links with Pakistan and Pakistanis. The former fail to understand that there is nothing wrong in the latter feeling prayerfully for the safety and the prosperity of Pakistan because their relatives are there. Thus, the fault lies partly with those who do not realize the naturalness of that natural attraction of Indian Muslims towards Pakistan and Pakistanis and partly with the Muslims themselves who, to save their skins, and in their anxiety to be considered loyal citizens follow a sort of an “appeasement” course. This course of action is a clumsy devise to hide the inner heart. It may also be termed as a “conscious camouflage” . The vibrations of the inner heart are too loud and clear to be hidden. When Indian Muslims do not truly give expression to their true inner feelings towards Pakistan and Pakistanis, non-Muslims take the professions of the former of indifference towards Pakistan and Pakistanis to be bogus. Unfortunately, non-Muslims do not realize that there is no inconsistence in an Indian Muslim being at heart fully and really loyal to India � his or her homeland - and also simultaneously wishing the prosperity of Pakistan � the homeland of his or her ear and dear ones.

The imperative need of the hour for Indian Muslims is that they must leave the path of psychological cowardice and hypocritical camouflaging. They must fearlessly and in a straight-forward manner explain their genuine love for their near and dear ones in Pakistan. They should voice it openly and not feel guilty about it. This course will create a new force and this new force will prove to be a force for peace in the Indo-Pak sub-continent. In addition to this, they must advance one step further and become the vanguard of that positive force. Such a fresh appraisal of the entire situation calls for a complete reorientation of the manner in which they express their attitude towards Pakistan and Pakistanis. If this done, non-Muslims in India will realize that Indian Muslims are speaking the language of their inner heart and that there is no hypocrisy or treachery involved in their attitude. Such a reorientation will surely remove the cobwebs of distrust and suspicion. Yet another important result of such a reorientation will be the creation of a congenial climate for Pakistanis to respond in an equally sympathetic, straight-forward manner and courageously demand of their rulers to keep their relations with India and Indians on a friendly, tension-free, non-conflict level. Thus the desire for peaceful and cordial relations between Pakistan and India will become a two-way traffic and God-willing it will not remain an empty dream.

* The author is the President of the MUSLIM MEDIA TRUST based at Chennai and can be reached at: esempee2000@yahoo.com

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