Pervez Hoodbhoy August 2, 2007
#594 Posted by harish_hyd on August 8, 2007 10:38:17 pm
#522 by tahmed32
No doubt the US terrorist list LeT. It also includes Modi, elected Chief Minister of Gujerat. Does this mean that the US is going to be concerned with LeT or Modi in the same manner as it is wrt al Qaeda?
Umm..OK, so a single individual Modi being declared a persona non grata by the US is sufficient for you to equate it with the entire country of Pakistan coming close to being declared a terrorist state?
As for the US not being as concerned with the LeT as it is with the US, are you just dumb or are you pretending to be so? It is because the Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for 9/11.
Thus, for policy makers in the US (as in any other country) the prime concern is domestic security.
And your point is? If it weren't for Paki terrorist groups' operations inside India, we would give two hoots to what the LeT or the JeM are upto inside Pakistan.
They say that the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make it a friend. In Pakistan, India has a historic opportunity today to do exactly this, per what I wrote in bold at the end.
And why not the other way round? Why can't Pakistan do the same by demonstrating its sincerity of intent by ceasing support for and acting against terrorist groups that act against India? If Pakistan can do so, would there be any reason for India/Indians to hate Pakistan?
No doubt the US terrorist list LeT. It also includes Modi, elected Chief Minister of Gujerat. Does this mean that the US is going to be concerned with LeT or Modi in the same manner as it is wrt al Qaeda?
Umm..OK, so a single individual Modi being declared a persona non grata by the US is sufficient for you to equate it with the entire country of Pakistan coming close to being declared a terrorist state?
As for the US not being as concerned with the LeT as it is with the US, are you just dumb or are you pretending to be so? It is because the Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for 9/11.
Thus, for policy makers in the US (as in any other country) the prime concern is domestic security.
And your point is? If it weren't for Paki terrorist groups' operations inside India, we would give two hoots to what the LeT or the JeM are upto inside Pakistan.
They say that the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make it a friend. In Pakistan, India has a historic opportunity today to do exactly this, per what I wrote in bold at the end.
And why not the other way round? Why can't Pakistan do the same by demonstrating its sincerity of intent by ceasing support for and acting against terrorist groups that act against India? If Pakistan can do so, would there be any reason for India/Indians to hate Pakistan?
#593 Posted by ajeya on August 8, 2007 9:44:08 pm
#592 Posted by giani_240
[Some of the interactors were not even born when partition took place. So why the hatred?]
Why the hatred between
a) Muslims and non-Muslims in Thailand?
b) Muslims and non-Muslims in China?
c) Muslims and non-Muslims in Australia?
d) Muslims and non-Muslims in Netherlands?
e) Muslims and non-Muslims in UK?
f) Muslims and non-Muslims in Germany?
g) Muslims and non-Muslims in France?
h) Muslims and non-Muslims in Greece?
i) Muslims and non-Muslims in Malta?
j) Muslims and non-Muslims in Bosnia?
k) Muslims and non-Muslims in Russia?
l) Muslims and non-Muslims in USA?
m) Muslims and non-Muslims in Belgium?
n) Muslims and non-Muslims in Israel?
o) Muslims and non-Muslims in Spain?
p) Muslims and non-Muslims in India?
q) Muslims and non-Muslims in Bangladesh?
r) Muslims and non-Muslims in Canada?
.
.
.
Muslims and non-Muslims anywhere else?
Answer: Read the koran. (you can also read Paki elementary school texbooks).
[Some of the interactors were not even born when partition took place. So why the hatred?]
Why the hatred between
a) Muslims and non-Muslims in Thailand?
b) Muslims and non-Muslims in China?
c) Muslims and non-Muslims in Australia?
d) Muslims and non-Muslims in Netherlands?
e) Muslims and non-Muslims in UK?
f) Muslims and non-Muslims in Germany?
g) Muslims and non-Muslims in France?
h) Muslims and non-Muslims in Greece?
i) Muslims and non-Muslims in Malta?
j) Muslims and non-Muslims in Bosnia?
k) Muslims and non-Muslims in Russia?
l) Muslims and non-Muslims in USA?
m) Muslims and non-Muslims in Belgium?
n) Muslims and non-Muslims in Israel?
o) Muslims and non-Muslims in Spain?
p) Muslims and non-Muslims in India?
q) Muslims and non-Muslims in Bangladesh?
r) Muslims and non-Muslims in Canada?
.
.
.
Muslims and non-Muslims anywhere else?
Answer: Read the koran. (you can also read Paki elementary school texbooks).
#592 Posted by giani_240 on August 8, 2007 6:53:57 pm
Re: # 590
Tahmed mian,
I did not express any bitterness, just a statment of fact.
My friend, me thinks you are a bit naive in believing that help from India is going to solve any problem in Pakistan. If it helps the status quo, the pro-democracy complains - like you just did. If it helps the pro-democracy folks, your military is going to throw a fit.
The way indians and the indian goverment looks at it, the more you guys stew in your own couldron, the less time you folks will have in blowing some one up in India.
On a serious note
Given the geopolitics of the sub-continent, it is not in the interest of the indian politician nor the Pakistani one to sit down and solve any bilateral issues. Because it is more beneficial to have problems since it makes it easy to rile the masses in their favour.After all the politicans need votes to remain in power to enjoy the perks.
I beleive there are no problems but there is a significant lack of trust.
When Mush came to power, a large majority of pakistanis welcomed it. (Recommend my much earlier post on this subject). After a few years of Bhutto or Nawaz, I bet a majority will be clamoring for Military rule again.
The poor man on the street has short term memory and an even shorter attention span. His needs are immediate. He will go with one who promises a quick fix. Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes.
However, a slight or even a perceived one leaves an emotional scar that even time finds to heal and which is inherited over generations.
I thought that chowk was for promoting greater understanding among peoples of the subcontinent. However, every interact session for every post turns into communal free for all - why? (moi is guilty too)
Some of the interactors were not even born when partition took place. So why the hatred? My belief is that it is an emotional thread that is being inherited via stories that grandma and grandpa told.
So my friend, there is no easy way out. No helping hand and defintely no welfare from east of the border. The long term resolution has come from within and it requires patience and some quality leadership, which has not emerged in Pakistan as yet.( I doubt if we have ever seen any in India either but at least they have been a trifle better)
With apoligies for the sermon.
giani
Tahmed mian,
I did not express any bitterness, just a statment of fact.
My friend, me thinks you are a bit naive in believing that help from India is going to solve any problem in Pakistan. If it helps the status quo, the pro-democracy complains - like you just did. If it helps the pro-democracy folks, your military is going to throw a fit.
The way indians and the indian goverment looks at it, the more you guys stew in your own couldron, the less time you folks will have in blowing some one up in India.
On a serious note
Given the geopolitics of the sub-continent, it is not in the interest of the indian politician nor the Pakistani one to sit down and solve any bilateral issues. Because it is more beneficial to have problems since it makes it easy to rile the masses in their favour.After all the politicans need votes to remain in power to enjoy the perks.
I beleive there are no problems but there is a significant lack of trust.
When Mush came to power, a large majority of pakistanis welcomed it. (Recommend my much earlier post on this subject). After a few years of Bhutto or Nawaz, I bet a majority will be clamoring for Military rule again.
The poor man on the street has short term memory and an even shorter attention span. His needs are immediate. He will go with one who promises a quick fix. Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes.
However, a slight or even a perceived one leaves an emotional scar that even time finds to heal and which is inherited over generations.
I thought that chowk was for promoting greater understanding among peoples of the subcontinent. However, every interact session for every post turns into communal free for all - why? (moi is guilty too)
Some of the interactors were not even born when partition took place. So why the hatred? My belief is that it is an emotional thread that is being inherited via stories that grandma and grandpa told.
So my friend, there is no easy way out. No helping hand and defintely no welfare from east of the border. The long term resolution has come from within and it requires patience and some quality leadership, which has not emerged in Pakistan as yet.( I doubt if we have ever seen any in India either but at least they have been a trifle better)
With apoligies for the sermon.
giani
#591 Posted by tahmed32 on August 8, 2007 5:50:38 pm
jang: provide me with a substitute that is politically correct then.
#590 Posted by tahmed32 on August 8, 2007 5:49:50 pm
giani #581: So you have no quarrel with the realities of the sub-continent that I present in #436, but are so embittered that Pakistanis chose to form their own country that you are not prepared to support the democracy movement in Pakistan even if you understand it is in the significant economic and security and political interest of India itself for Pakistan to replace dictatorship with democracy.
Thanks for taking the time to read it and provide your honest comments.
All I can say is: 60 years is enough. As educated Pakistanis and Indians who are better off than the vast majority of their suffering people, we can live the luxury of nursing grudges and stoking our tender egos wile ignoring the broader interests of our respective countries only if we really couldnt care less for the broader interests of the very countries we claim to represent. The Indian government is missing a great opportunity at this time by not being more forthcoming in favor or democracy in Pakistan (and thus promoting its own longer term interests of extending influence in the region consistent with its population and growing economy). Your post indicates the reason for this may be more driven by the momentum of the past than by any vision of the future.
Thanks for taking the time to read it and provide your honest comments.
All I can say is: 60 years is enough. As educated Pakistanis and Indians who are better off than the vast majority of their suffering people, we can live the luxury of nursing grudges and stoking our tender egos wile ignoring the broader interests of our respective countries only if we really couldnt care less for the broader interests of the very countries we claim to represent. The Indian government is missing a great opportunity at this time by not being more forthcoming in favor or democracy in Pakistan (and thus promoting its own longer term interests of extending influence in the region consistent with its population and growing economy). Your post indicates the reason for this may be more driven by the momentum of the past than by any vision of the future.
#589 Posted by jang on August 8, 2007 5:47:35 pm
#588 tahmed, watch your language...we do not take the perjorative achoot lightly.
#588 Posted by tahmed32 on August 8, 2007 5:33:14 pm
#576 arjun: I already gave you the answer to your stupid questions - and I had challenged you to go to my post #436 (the one you keep avoiding as if it was achoot) and tell me how your stupid questions change the realities I put down one bit.
So quit stalling and trying to wiggle away like an eel, and show me you can take a challenge like a man. It is for your own good. Remember: no pain, no gain.
So quit stalling and trying to wiggle away like an eel, and show me you can take a challenge like a man. It is for your own good. Remember: no pain, no gain.
#587 Posted by mohar11 on August 8, 2007 2:48:03 pm
PS: but you have to stop whining and crying muslims being killed by hinuds... you want a fight to the finish [till the last muslim child] - so you should be ready accept the consequences...
#586 Posted by Ranjit on August 8, 2007 2:47:26 pm
Re:borivili
"So this is a long haul train and you will loose if the previous struggles are any example, you can only decide wether you want to loose now or later."
Hahaha!! Sure. In my dreams I also imagine that I am married to Aishwariya Rai. No harm in having fantasies about Kashmir since you will never get it. You can always go to web sites and check out pictures. Hehe!!
"So this is a long haul train and you will loose if the previous struggles are any example, you can only decide wether you want to loose now or later."
Hahaha!! Sure. In my dreams I also imagine that I am married to Aishwariya Rai. No harm in having fantasies about Kashmir since you will never get it. You can always go to web sites and check out pictures. Hehe!!
#585 Posted by mohar11 on August 8, 2007 2:43:53 pm
Borivili
fair enough... you want a fight , we will give you a fight - till the last muslim child...:)
fair enough... you want a fight , we will give you a fight - till the last muslim child...:)
#584 Posted by giani_240 on August 8, 2007 1:19:02 pm
Re: # 577
Boriwiili,
we are not born morons. Our parents and their parents and their parents and so on ensured that they were not brothers and sisters or first coursins.
Did yours ?
Boriwiili,
we are not born morons. Our parents and their parents and their parents and so on ensured that they were not brothers and sisters or first coursins.
Did yours ?
#583 Posted by dost_mittar on August 8, 2007 1:04:54 pm
shishapa, giani:
I do not know the answer to your question. The BJP has shown over the years that it is quite capable of changing its colours to suit the prevalent situation. The reality of the Indian situation is that Muslims hold the balance of power in 100-125 Parliamentary seats and no party can come to power which is actively opposed by them.
I do not know the answer to your question. The BJP has shown over the years that it is quite capable of changing its colours to suit the prevalent situation. The reality of the Indian situation is that Muslims hold the balance of power in 100-125 Parliamentary seats and no party can come to power which is actively opposed by them.
#582 Posted by giani_240 on August 8, 2007 12:57:59 pm
Re: # 579
DM Sahib,
you have got to admit that BJP showed class in its restrain and in its attempt to hold out a hand of friendship to Pakistan.
And yes, if it did not have to depend on psuedo secularists for staying in power, Article 370 would have been history.
Boriwilli,
Its easy to become a terrorist and start killing with a blindfold on - call it Jihad peehad or whatever,
DM Sahib,
you have got to admit that BJP showed class in its restrain and in its attempt to hold out a hand of friendship to Pakistan.
And yes, if it did not have to depend on psuedo secularists for staying in power, Article 370 would have been history.
Boriwilli,
Its easy to become a terrorist and start killing with a blindfold on - call it Jihad peehad or whatever,
#581 Posted by giani_240 on August 8, 2007 12:44:33 pm
Re: # 456
Tahmed Mian,
I have no quarrel with your geopolitical view of the sub continent. Magar taali do hath se bajti hai.
So it is okay to ask for support for freedom. But current situation is something the Pakistanis brought it upon themselves. Mind you I am not saying that muslims brought it upon themselves.
The mere act of partition underlined the fact that here was a group of people - followers of a religion who did not want to live with followers of another religion and wanted a separate homeland - mind you there was no plebisite held to determine if the common people really wanted this or was it power grab by a bunch of elites.
So Pakistan and pakistanis represent a group of people who did not want to live with all that constitutes Indians.
What kind of action/ response do you expect from persons when you tell them you do not like them? Hug you?
So a mere act of cab drivers giving free rides or building swami narayan temples does not address the key issue.
So logically, I do not see a solution to the problem you raise.
Tahmed Mian,
I have no quarrel with your geopolitical view of the sub continent. Magar taali do hath se bajti hai.
So it is okay to ask for support for freedom. But current situation is something the Pakistanis brought it upon themselves. Mind you I am not saying that muslims brought it upon themselves.
The mere act of partition underlined the fact that here was a group of people - followers of a religion who did not want to live with followers of another religion and wanted a separate homeland - mind you there was no plebisite held to determine if the common people really wanted this or was it power grab by a bunch of elites.
So Pakistan and pakistanis represent a group of people who did not want to live with all that constitutes Indians.
What kind of action/ response do you expect from persons when you tell them you do not like them? Hug you?
So a mere act of cab drivers giving free rides or building swami narayan temples does not address the key issue.
So logically, I do not see a solution to the problem you raise.
#580 Posted by shishapa on August 8, 2007 12:18:36 pm
DMji,
Do you think if BJP had absolute majority in parliament
it would have repealed/removed the Article 370?
#579 Posted by dost_mittar on August 8, 2007 12:06:00 pm
arjun#571:
"it's kuldip nayyar clones like you who've kept india from taking reasonable steps like repealing article 370..."
How does article 370 prevent the BJP govt. from bombing jihadi training camps in POK? And while article 370 is one of the tragic legacies of Nehru, why did the BJP not do a thing to remove it while it was in power?
"it's kuldip nayyar clones like you who've kept india from taking reasonable steps like repealing article 370..."
How does article 370 prevent the BJP govt. from bombing jihadi training camps in POK? And while article 370 is one of the tragic legacies of Nehru, why did the BJP not do a thing to remove it while it was in power?
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