[Reader-list] Shahidul Alam detained by Indian Border Security Force

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear Shuddha

First things first. Reading about encroachments on a daily basis by people
for living or for occupational purposes, I am not naive or romantic to think
that people follow laws. In fact, my belief is that in each nation-state, or
state-nation, people always want to break the law, and it's the fear that
the law may catch them, which makes them follow the law.

Second. Opening the borders for free movement of goods and people is indeed
a great idea. But what about the intentions of the Pakistani and the Indian
elite? We have a Pakistani elite (headed by the Army there), whose basic
intention is 'to bleed India with a thousand cuts', and therefore some way
or the other, terror attacks are taking place across the nation. One may say
that there is no proof of the fact that Pakistan is behind attacks (even say
26/11), but my argument is simply this: how come when diplomatic pressure
was applied after 26/11, no terror attack has taken place in India?

Before that, terror attacks were common every 2-3 months in one or the other
part of the country. And in 2004-05 there were hardly any terror attacks.
It's October 2005 blasts in Delhi which started this trend, and ironically
this is the time when the peace process between India and Pakistan seemed to
have got stuck. How come relations with Pakistan and timing of terror
attacks are coincidental.

Equally, I would not be surprised if the Indian elite indulges in the same
game (through RAW and other agencies), in the NWFP and other areas of
Pakistan. After all, the idea may be that internal troubles in Pakistan
force it to think about its' own existence rather than concentrating on its'
eastern neighbour. And who can forget that under Indira Gandhi we did send
spies to Pakistan. The only thing may be that RAW may have declared it
doesn't send spies, when it may actually do so.

With this kind of a situation, opening the borders without checks and
balances is going to lead to disaster. And plus, you need the people on both
sides of the border backing it. Now the BPL population in India is more
concerned with its livelihood demands, so also the BPL population in
Pakistan. So are most of the people there, except the elites. And the elites
turn the way media and propaganda runs. So that's the end of that move.

Directly asking for radical moves is not going to give us anything. This is
something the British learnt in getting through trade concessions in India
and China before establishing their supremacy in both countries for getting
what they wanted. This is something the experiences of Gandhi tell us. And
this is equally something Obama is trying, in my perception. And that's why,
Shuddha jee, I feel you are being romantic.

We don't want guns from either side to go across to the other, we want
butter. Therefore, to begin with, what we need to do is to learn from
Indo-China relationship. This means that we first allow movement of goods
(unfortunately, these have to be checked), to an extent where trade is so
much that interdependence forces both the elites to shelve their current
nefarious plans for once and for all. Secondly, we do require the movement
of people, so let us have bus services and train services between the two
countries.

And may be it's now time that at least in Punjab (if not in Kashmir), let us
go for an border (with checks again) and allowing people to visit each
other. Equally let the two sides of Kashmiris visit each other through bus
services. What's the harm in that?

For the other borders like Indo-Bangla (Bangladesh) border too, we need to
go on a state to state case, and to reach the final step of open border, we
must take steps or a leap depending on the situation. For example, with
Bhutan itself, why not start this at least?

Different borders require different levels to begin with, but the final goal
is same. The only thing is that the steps have to be tweaked to reach that
goal. Otherwise, we may never begin at all. And we need to do this. And that
is why I feel we need to pressurize the Indian state (being Indian
citizens), to do this. I do believe that to go to places you have mentioned
in your other mail, you would have secured a passport and a visa, and that
you would have done as an Indian citizen. So also, many facilities you would
be accruing as an Indian citizen in the nation.

Therefore, whether we like it or not, we are Indian citizens (unfortunately
or fortunately is one's own way of thinking about this). What we do need to
do, is to think beyond our own state and look at human beings as one entity,
not as Indians, Americans or Brazilians and thus separate entities. (These
are just identities on which people must not be divided). And thus, we need
to look at the final goal as this, but start from rudimentary steps.
Remember, we have to take all with us, for that is what we refer to as
'inclusive development'. Otherwise, we can also shout and those opposing us
can also shout, and we will never move forward.

Regards

Rakesh