Support US action, that’s the Indian cry

As The U.S. prepares to retaliate in Afghanistan for the September 11 terrorist strikes, most people opine that India must support the strike in all ways. However, some said we should take this opportunity to also highlight the fact that Pakistan has been supporting terrorism.

Dissent is voiced by peaceniks. Also, there are groups that feel that civilians will be the worst sufferers. Said Justice RC. Mankad, "We must support the coalition. But at the same time we must ensure that this strike is against identified groups of terrorists, not innocent civilians.

For long we have suffered cross-border terrorism. It is time we worked to support international action against terrorism." About the US not having supported us on the Kashmir issue, Prof Girija Sharan of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, said, "Sitting back on the pretext that they did riot support us would be futile. For our problems, we cannot always expect help from others. We have to fight our own battles."

Confederation of Indian Industries president Sunil Parekh is also for supporting the U.S. He said, "This is one opportunity India must capitalise on. We have to unequivocally offer support to the coalition. There maybe some strikes on India, but we will have to bear that only once. A problem that has plagued us for decades will be wiped out, once and for all."

Political scientist Dr. M.T Desai had a concesive to add: "Our government has taken a good stance by supporting the fight against terrorism. But we must support a strategy’ that has the legitimacy of the United Nations. Only then will it be global, and not country-specific." Prof H.C. Shukul, head of the political science department of M.S. University, Vadodara, said India should adopt a wait-and-watch policy: "America is trying to tackle terrorism in a very selective way. India should take part in the global strategy, which could evolve from the United Nations."

Many see this as an opportunity to vindicate India’s stance against terrorism. Said Justice DA Desai, a former chief justice of Gujarat High Court, "For over a decade we have been oh our own against terrorism. Now that the U.S. has been roused from its slumber, India should support it." About Pakistan, Desai said, "The U.S. has also sought assistance from Pakistan to fight the Taliban.

Pakistan is a nation that sponsors terrorism in India So, while the U.S. is on its way, India should run a global campaign against terrorism.,, Retired military officers, too, support the action. Said RK Vyas, a retired squadron leader, " Terrorism has roots all across the world. The war has to be fought internationally. India should be the first to support the coalition against terrorism."

However, social worker Sonal Shroff was vocal in her opposition to India’s stand: "India shouldn’t be apart of this war against terrorism. War is not a solution; it will only create more terrorism. Kashmir is an internal problem of India, and helping the U.S. will mean allowing it to interfere." Then what is the solution? She said, "To solve the problem, India should set up diplomatic relations with the Taliban.

This could end their action in Kashmir. If the target of the U.S. is terrorism, then why is LTTE not on it hit list?" And Tulsio Boda, a People’s Union for Civil liberties (PUCL) activist, believes India has been too hasty in offering support, and that too without consulting Parliament.’ "India has no business in supporting the U.S.’s so-called war on terrorism, which has thrived in some other parts of the world only with U.S. support. Now they have been struck, so they are creating an internation coalition."

Republished from The Asian Age