Himalayan Blunder: Chicken Hawks Safe Behind Laptops in America Must Stop Baying for Letting Slip the Dogs of War

As I write this, India stuck its missiles on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, code-named Operation ‘Sindoor.’ Pretty sure, Pakistan and its war-monger Army Chief General Asim Munir will retaliate with similar if not more power. Innocent civilians on both sides of the border will die. Who benefits? No one. The terrorists that murdered those innocent Indian tourists in Kashmir nearly three weeks ago will probably celebrate somewhere in their cowardly caves. 

Instability in a region benefits only those that want hate and fear to continue to fester. Politicians on both sides will claim victory, soldiers will die, and their families will mourn on both sides of the border, as will the innocent civilians. Meanwhile, the millions of war-braying social media enthusiasts will continue to egg on – from the comfort of their couches and decks here in America – Indians and Pakistanis — for a war that none of their kith and kin would likely join. 

I seriously do not get the communities living here in America. They, like me, left their land of birth to seek better pastures. We, as highly educated immigrants, added to the flourishing fabric of America, weave by weave, one technology at a time. The irony though – the right-wing Americans under President Trump want immigrants to “go back where we came from;” while the rich and dandy immigrants of my community are increasingly turning right-wing, asking for an entire religion to be “taught a lesson” by waging wars. “Call them for who they are, thundered speaker after speaker at a vigil held in St. Paul, Minnesota for the victims, but also an event to lament the “attack on Hindus who shall be silent no more!” 

I was there representing my small unstructured organization ‘India Coalition,’ to attend the vigil for those killed and mourn, but also to make sure our communities realize, they are not the lone voices that represent us all. Hindutva factions DO NOT SPEAK FOR US ALL! Please stop promoting and gas-lighting your own people with made-up attempts of victimhood that leaders from across the pond have been feeding on a daily basis since 2014 via the WhatsApp Universities – forwarding and reforwarding the propaganda is so very easy. Such a brilliant marketing strategy. They risk nothing, except continued electoral gains year after year, and communal disharmony to allow for this fester to grow.

“Modiji will fix these Islamist jihadists once and for all,” opined a brave, behind-the-laptop screen “patriot” for a land they left behind. The call for “taking out” a religion is dangerous talk. These folks know that theirs and voices like theirs in India is resulting in innocent Muslims getting beaten, stripped of their honor and businesses, spat at, robbed and sometimes even killed on the streets because the terrorists that murdered the tourists in Kashmir belong to that religion. But it’s also not their fault – when strategically controlled media releases carefully orchestrated communal messaging to a majority, reminding them of the tumultuous subcontinental history and a past that, never mind, is 500 years old and longer,  the concept of analyzing, researching and thinking takes a backseat.

Both India and Pakistan are developing nations with significant portions of their populations living in poverty. The resources that would be expended on a war effort could be far better utilized in addressing pressing issues such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.

In these tumultuous times then voices like mine and many, many others across the world need to be heard across the cacophony of hate and revenge, for a united plea for peace. As citizens of a region that has witnessed the devastation wrought by conflict, we must rise above this noise of belligerence and advocate for a more harmonious coexistence in India, Pakistan, Israel, Palestine and many other war-devasted lands.

The history of India and Pakistan is marred by a series of conflicts that have left deep scars on both nations. From the Partition in 1947 to the wars in 1965, 1971, and the Kargil conflict of 1999, the subcontinent has seen the grievous consequences of war. These conflicts have not only cost countless lives but have also perpetuated a cycle of mistrust and hostility, hindering the progress and development of both nations. 

War, by its very nature, is folly. It is a manifestation of humanity’s primal instincts, where reason is overshadowed by the desire for dominance. In the case of India and Pakistan, the prospect of war is particularly perilous given the nuclear capabilities of both countries. The devastation that a nuclear conflict would bring is unimaginable, with catastrophic consequences for not only the belligerents but the entire world. The global community would find itself grappling with a humanitarian and environmental disaster of unprecedented proportions.

Furthermore, the economic cost of war is staggering – more so for Pakistan that never really had a stable civil government in its entire existence, except for patches of years in between. Both India and Pakistan are developing nations with significant portions of their populations living in poverty. The resources that would be expended on a war effort could be far better utilized in addressing pressing issues such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. Engaging in war would divert crucial funds away from these vital areas, exacerbating the plight of the most vulnerable sections of society.

It is also important to recognize the psychological toll that war takes on individuals and communities. The trauma of conflict leaves an indelible mark on the human psyche, affecting not only those directly involved but also future generations. Children growing up in an environment of hostility and violence are deprived of the opportunity to experience the joys of childhood and are often left with deep-seated emotional scars. The cycle of violence perpetuates itself, leading to a society that is perpetually on edge, with peace and stability remaining elusive.

Moreover, the cultural and historical ties between India and Pakistan should not be overlooked. Despite the political divide, the people of both nations share a common heritage, language, and traditions. There are countless stories of camaraderie and cooperation between individuals on both sides of the border. It is this shared heritage that should serve as a foundation for building bridges of understanding and cooperation, rather than walls of animosity. 

Here in America, we have a huge Indian and Pakistani diaspora who look alike, dress alike, eat alike, speak a language that is similar, work in offices and hospitals, meet as friends, never as enemies. How do we look each other in the eye, as also in our childrens’ eyes, when we espouse so much hate and revenge for an entire community.

War is never the answer.

---

Kuhu Singh is a writer with interest in social justice, cultural and political matters, in the U.S., India, and beyond.