The emasculating effect of ahimsa (Part 9)

I am not anti-ahimsa per se. Non-violence as a way of life adhered to by an individual is creditable and praiseworthy. I have no quarrels with it. If individuals embrace the creed of ahimsa and practice it faithfully, society as a whole will automatically become more peaceful. After all, social change cannot be brought about successfully without changing the individual. When the individual undergoes an inner transformation, his perspectives, attitudes and conduct change. It is this individual metamorphosis that triggers social ferment leading to progress. That is how civilizations have marched on. That is how cultures have evolved and become more refined.

However, the state cannot afford to embrace ahimsa as its policy. It must be prepared to act decisively and wield the stick whenever and wherever required. It must not shirk from its underlying responsibility to activate its own coercive mechanisms to maintain law and order within its own frontiers. Or, for that matter, mobilise its armed forces to counter external aggression to safeguard its own vital interests. And sometimes, offence is the best form of defence. The state cannot afford to cushion its resolve in idealistic notions of ahimsa that paralyse it into inaction. Unfortunately, that is precisely how India seems to have become. It has degenerated into a soft state with weak and indecisive leaders. Countries that are inimical to India’s interests like Pakistan have exploited this to the hilt and got away with it. They know very well that no matter what they do India will not cause them any harm.

India will make the usual noises. There will be a sudden chill in diplomatic relations. India will suspend all dialogue on contentious issues—its so-called “composite” dialogue. It will try to mobilise world opinion against Pakistan. It will just go into a sulk. That is all. Finally, after some time, there will be a thaw in relations once again. It seems like an old soap opera playing itself out for the umpteenth time. Sadly, the Indian populace, its viewers, have still not got bored of it. So, why blame the establishment? Why blame our leadership? And, why blame Pakistan if they refer to us as “banyaon ka mulk” and have the temerity to ask, “woh hamara kya ukhad lenge?” If we continue being as docile as we are as a nation ever since our independence, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pakistanis finally start referring to us as “hijron ka mulk”!

*** Concluded