Van de Haar observes that Ayn Rand in \u2018The Roots of War\u2019 traces the ideological root of statism to a primordial form of collectivism, which she termed tribalism. And tribalism, she argues, is a perennial engine of human conflict. Reading Rand\u2019s essay, or Orwell\u2019s 1984, one does realize the genius of utilizing the past as data for a predictable future of humanity. Today we see that forced conflict, reactionary resistance, and economic turbulence is consistently giving way to political lens of empowerment compromising human welfare.<\/p>\n
Rand connects this fundamental statism to primordial tribalism, where issues of food and shelter were settled by wielding power. Millenniums later, and with all the possible technological advances, it is sad to see the world stuck in the same mode. Brute force, challenges to duals, and unnecessary violence of speech and action \u2013 the ongoing India Pakistan tensions seem to be straight out of the 20th century science fiction. Which predicted a world that, like the neural network today, is out of hand. And while the neural work promises artificial intelligence, this one is all about natural calamity if not checked and nipped.<\/p>\n
India, often lauded as the world\u2019s largest democracy, is increasingly wielding nationalism as a tool to divert attention from mounting domestic challenges and growing international criticism. This dangerous political strategy is now a major threat to regional peace. India\u2019s actions in Kashmir, its belligerent stance towards China and Pakistan, and its alarming decline in human rights protections demand urgent attention.<\/p>\n
Nationalism, as a philosophy, protects the state as one cohesive developing community, but aggression is the only cloak that Indian nationalism wears and calls it a justifiable ensemble, while expansionism is being masqueraded as patriotism. One strong narrative that I must mention, as perhaps the only silver lining in this otherwise dark cloud, is the people\u2019s voice on social media. For the first time, a substantial segment of the Indian populace is beginning to direct its skepticism inward rather than reflexively blaming Pakistan. Questions are being asked: Where were India\u2019s vast security forces? What were the 700,000 troops stationed in Kashmir doing? This emerging introspection represents a pivotal moment \u2013 and a significant validation of Pakistan\u2019s narrative.<\/p>\n
Pakistan has repeatedly referred to India\u2019s covert support for Baloch separatists, evident links to terrorist activities, ventures of Indian consulates in Afghanistan \u2013 often serving as hubs for financing and supporting subversive operations with clear trails pointing toward Indian intelligence agencies. On the fronts since 1948, with continues confrontations on physical and political grounds, Pakistan lives with a hope to activate 91.3% of its border for trade and prosperity of its people. Yet the dream stays a dream, especially when elections draw close.<\/p>\n
A pattern has become increasingly clear: India\u2019s provocations often escalate in the lead-up to elections, revealing a calculated political tactic. As Bihar\u2019s elections near, where a rather humiliating defeat was suffered by BJP, signs of familiar maneuvers \u2013 Including orchestrated false flag operations designed to inflame anti-Pakistan sentiment and rally Hindu nationalist support \u2013 are once again emerging. Under Narendra Modi\u2019s leadership, fear-mongering and the deliberate sowing of division have become cornerstones of political survival, securing short-term electoral victories while sacrificing long-term regional harmony.<\/p>\n
\u201cJana Gana Mana,\u201d India\u2019s national anthem, centers on spiritual humanism, emphasizing unity in diversity, and a vision of India as a harmonious and progressive nation built on freedom, justice, and compassion. That is Tagore\u2019s genius of uniting the land with the historical tenets of compassion that supersede physical boundaries. Iqbal\u2019s \u2018Sare Jahan se Acha,\u2019 also recited with same devotion, reflects the philosophy of an India that shines as a diverse harmonious state; Yet Modi\u2019s government has overseen the steady erosion of India\u2019s entire democratic fabric.<\/p>\n
Media, institutions, and education all have fallen prey to the misguided linear view of intolerance. Religious minorities face increasing discrimination, and the space for free speech has been brutally curtailed. Today, once-revered journalists, intellectuals, and civil society figures find themselves silenced \u2013 either through intimidation or suppression \u2013 as an atmosphere of fear permeates public discourse.<\/p>\n
Modi, the architect of the 2002 Gujarat pogrom, continues to pursue policies that steer India closer to authoritarian rule. His tenure has endangered the once exemplary democratic foundations and destabilized the broader South Asian region. His enduring legacy of fomenting violence and undermining reconciliation is becoming increasingly undeniable.<\/p>\n
Pakistan, a nuclear state, with one of the best armed forces in the world, is being forced to think whether it should take the class bully on or be sensible and have faith in the reason of the people and global powers to check this. Pakistan is not an island nation, it wields geo-political alliances, and a will to thrive. Talking strictly economics, the point to note is that the future of prosperity in greater Asia and Middle East will be derived from \u2018Peace\u2019 in South Asia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Van de Haar observes that Ayn Rand in \u2018The Roots of War\u2019 traces the ideological root of statism to a […]<\/p>\n