Do Good Boys Shy Away From Conflicts?

After the militant attack on the Indian Army"s Uri post near its LOC, a lot of questions are being asked. Do Indians shy away from Conflicts? Do they want to remain as "Good Boys"? 

Shy away.... True. It is in our culture, tradition and religion. More than Hindu Religion, Jainism and Buddhism perpetuated the concept of 'Peace.' India therefore, was perpetually invaded from 300 BC onward. This exacerbated with Mohammed Ghaznavi from 1000 AD. In 1016 he attacked Kashmir. In 2016 it is Jaish - e - Mohammed. The Strategy of not retaliating or revolting resulted in the country being taken over by aggressors. It started with Qutub-bin-Aibak of slave dynasty, installed by Mohammed Ghori around 1200 AD. This was followed by Tughluks, Khiljis, Sayyids, Lodhis and then the Mughals, from 1526 to 1707. A brief intervening period saw Peshwas in control over the entire country. Soon, the British were all over. The twentieth century saw the 'apostle of peace,' Mohandas Gandhi taking over from militant Tilak. Our experiment with peace was complete! An era of turning the other cheek dawned. The carnage of partition, one of history's largest massacre, was brought upon, ironically, by this Messiah of Peace. The partition of the country saw forced migration of Hindus and Sikhs on a scale never seen before. Yet, the incarnation of Peace remained unfazed. Counter exchange of Muslims with Hindus was stalled. The one way traffic of exodus continued under his doctrine. Inevitably, he paid the price, yet achieved immortal martyrdom. Then dawned the Era of the ' Good Boy.' Nehru. Result? Two thirds of Kashmir taken over by a small newborn sibling. The cauldron for the remaining one third simmers to this day. In between, this continued "Good Boy" behaviour oversaw the mass exodus of over Three lac Kashmiri Pandits from the valley. The original inhabitants were rendered homeless in their own country. Yet, we continued our journey of Peace. Yet, Peace, will eternally remain a chimera, because, we shun conflict. The costs inevitably has to be paid. From 1948 to '65 to Kargil, Pathankot and now Uri. A two thousand year old practise cannot be forsaken in a few decades. It will be a long haul.

The God Of Big Things

Arvind Kejriwal, notwithstanding all his public exposure, remains an enigma shrouded in mystery. For two decades he waged a lonely, solitary Citizens' Rights war. Won and gifted away the coveted Magsaysay award prize money. Stayed in slums for six months on his own volition. He then launched a crusade against big time corruption. Took on the mightiest, from the Government of India to Ambani, Gadkari and to Vadra. He stormed the fortress of 7, Race Course Road, guarded by the SPG, littering it with bits of coal, an apt metaphor for sleaze. Roping in Anna Hazare, he launched the India against Corruption Movement which captured the nation's imagination. The Messiah seemed to have finally arrived. His ten day fast cast a spell across the nation, held it in thrall. Millions supported him, as did the Media. Delhi, the epitome of power and pelf, was under siege. The entire entourage of the corrupt was mortally shaken. Afraid of a revolutionary guillotine lurking around their thick necks. Suddenly Destiny changed course. Arvind Kejriwal opted for electoral politics. A job, he had mocked, reviled, despised! Seemingly to take on the well entrenched Goliaths. Innocent, idealistic and naive supporters were left in shocked askance. Some felt used, some; deceived. The wrath and ire of the 'jilted' faithfuls was all too pervasive. The wily politicians, having enticed him to their den with taunts, let a sigh of relief. The halo of sanctity was finally profaned. What followed was a tumultuous affair with Street Politics, he swept Delhi with 95% of the seats, defeating Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, on the way to Stardom. A feat never witnessed before in India's electoral journey. Overwhelmed by sudden capitulation to Power he  seemingly went berserk, Iconoclasm was not too far behind. Rest is History. Arvind Kejriwal, once a God of Big Things, sank into a hubris of his own creation. A Revolution devoured by its most ardent proponent. Arwind Kejriwal will remain an eternal mystery. An enigma.