Just because there is freedom of speech, does it mean anyone can talk anything and everything?
For instance look at this lady Arundhati Roy.
She says the following
1. Indian army should withdraw from Kashmir
2. Peace hasnt returned to Kashmir, and the media is presenting a rosy picture
3. For every 15 kashmiris there is an army person.
Agreed, she won a booker prize. She is a great writer. But does that qualify her to talk anything and everything.
If there is an army person for every 15 kashmiris then isnt it for their security? Arent we facing enough problems of terrorism in Kashmir? If we withdraw the army from Kashmir, will the militancy problem get solved?
Before talking about Israel and Iraq, let her look at Andhra Pradesh. What did the YSR government do, when they came to power. He immediately called all the Naxalites group for talks. And from Sonia Gandhi till the guy selling Laddu at TTD, everyone hailed it as the best move to bring terrorism down in state. What happened after 1 year? The ban is reimposed on Naxalites.
For everything, people cite example to the west. Why dont people look at US and UK. When terrorism was unleashed in US and UK they immediately declared war against afghanistan? We dont need to go for a war and all. The police and armies hands should not be tied down, by politicians, so called social activists like Arundhati and this human rights commission.
At times I really wonder what is the purpose of human rights commission? I see them in news everytime a criminal or rapist is to be sentenced to death. Again they get back into hibernation.
India suffers 200 times more than any country when it comes to terrorism. But still we are not taking a bold step against terrorists. Why is that? For how long this shuttle game of peace talks, ban terrorists, peace talks will continue?
Mahatma Gandhi’s policy of Ahimsa worked against Britishers, since they were not terrorists. The same policy of Ahimsa, non-violence will not work against kashmiri militants or LTTE.
Take any militant group. Al Qaeda or LTTE or any international terrorism group. Is there any single place where peace talks have worked? Why should we alone stick to it?
Every problem has a solution. Not the same!!!
Till then its better if people like this NHRC and Arundhati Roy can keep their mouth shut. If they want to talk, let them go and talk to the terrorists and educate them about values of human lives and human rights!
on 06 Sep 2005 at 10:16 am # Nandu
Well said …Its very easy for a so called social activist to sit at home and make such statements….When they actually dont realise what the people in Kashmir are undergoing day and night
on 06 Sep 2005 at 11:19 am # msp
//If there is an army person for every 15 kashmiris then isnt it for their security? //
Ferrari I am no fan of Roy. Agree completely regarding the need to deal with terrorists firmly. But I disagree with the quote above. At the risk of getting my face smashed in by Captain I must say I disagree with the notion that India has been a poor sufferer in Kashmir. And that our army is there safeguarding ‘Indians’ against Pakistani miscreants who kill in the name of religion.
Am not saying Roy is right but if she shocks us enough to read and see if something other than what we have long taken for granted, could be possible, that should be good enough.
And I think that is what free speech is all about: talking the most disagreeable trash !
on 06 Sep 2005 at 11:24 am # yours truly
Unfortunately someone has to educate this Booker Prize winner how to set priorities in life.Doesn’t safety take precedence over freedom?
It doesn’t require a superbrain to envisage that, there’ll be fresh attacks and frequent crossing of LOCs by our pally pally neighbour, once army is withdrawn from Kashmir.
on 06 Sep 2005 at 11:49 am # visithra
You don’t need to fight a war to remain safe. Taking precautions are always the best move.
You see we’re not at war with Thailand our border country (hopefully we will never) but because of the unrest in the south of Thailand, the army patrols at the border has been increased.
We aren’t at war so why so many soldiers?
Well said Ferrari, you wonder where this people go when things are quiet.
on 06 Sep 2005 at 12:35 pm # Raman
i ignore this little brat!
she has a mouthpiece in Hindu Ram, who has a knack of publishing that appears red in colour - there is a proverb in tamil - thani maram thoppu agAdhu - writing just two or three books, and getting a prize, does not make you an intellectual to speak on any subject on earth. as a matter of fact intellectuals never open their mouth !!
on 06 Sep 2005 at 12:57 pm # vatsan
prabu please understand that arundathi roy is and ancharist, those who buy her books will do so only if she says such things, if she seems even slightly rational and practical, her fan following will disown her, she plays to her galley just as much as lalu plays to his joker image. she has to make such statements to sell her books (essential for her survival),
she speaks about things she doesnt have a remotest idea about, she is the mascot of the irrational rebels.
@EVERYONE
PLEASE DONT INSULT INTELLECTUALS BY CALLING A ROY AN INTELLECTUAL,SHE IS A LITERARY PERSON, WHO BLABBERS,
on 06 Sep 2005 at 12:58 pm # vatsan
prabu wers the tag? ada padika me waiting, im thankfully done
on 06 Sep 2005 at 1:13 pm # Jacky
She would have blabbered but I don’t think it’s fair to eternally force the civilians to run everyday with the sight of trigger everywhere. Besides there have been cases of repression. Assam Govt recently revoked some powers against Army cuz Crimes against women have been reported almost everyday. Some time back in Kashmir one Army officer raped a mother and her 10 year old kid at Gun point. A few cases are reported but I believe many would not be.
Besides even Army is a failure to some extent, What happened when the militants blew the Bus station on the eve of resuming Kasmir-Lahore express? Pride of watertight security claimed by Soniaji, Manmohanji and other Jis only bite the dust.
In these days when wars are fought with few button presses, Indian Govt should invest in sophisticated gadgets to control infiltration and reduce deployment of soldiers in the city. But no GOVT seem to care about those innocent Kashmiris who live around trigger for all their lives.
on 06 Sep 2005 at 1:25 pm # Sankar
Prabhu,
This is an excellent post. I truly agree with you. Talks has almost never worked in the case of terrorists. I just really don’t understand the examples of the west.
US especially has double standards. When they attacked Afganistan to find “one man”, they said they were fighting global terrorism. But when India wants to attack our neighbour, US will try to initiate peace talks…. @#$@!#$
on 06 Sep 2005 at 2:37 pm # prabhakar
Prabhu,
I’m bmng a great fan you machi. Great post keep it up.
Well I have a few points to say. India didn’t get independence ‘coz of Gandhi’s non-violent means. It was b’coz England was forced at that time. Whenever we talk about stuggle, we take this banner of non-violence out.
Why the hell are we so timid. We don’t have to go to war everytime, we are shot yet.Atleast we can give a fitting reply. How big is our army and how big is bangladesh army. How dare a rat, bangladesh fire at our indian posts.
How dare the so called dragons have most of HM and Nort-east india. And we shamelessly say Indi-China Bhai Bhai. Have we become boneless dumba**.
It’s time to be agressive. It’s time we show the world, we are not afraid and we are ready.
US..i get a burning sensation in my arse when I think about them. Look at NewOrleans mess. They have no reasons to comment on Mumbai Rains or Tsunami. Avan..soo**** aluka irukapo…namba kaiyai sutham panna solradhu…..******* !
on 06 Sep 2005 at 3:15 pm # Anonymous
Ferrari, nice post and good comments. But I would like to disagree (with some comments)and thats where freedom of speech exists :-). Btw, Am no fan of Roy
@Nandu, Who said the social activists sit at home and comment? We are the ones who do that! The people in Kashmir are undergoing a nightmare everyday and thats exactly what Roy likes to point at.
Just imagine this: A countless number of security people stop you and check while to do your day-to-day routine (shopping, going to work, travelling, etc.,). Just for a day it will be OK. But daily, it becomes more of a pain. And what if the securty people are misbehaving??!!. Adds more pain. A similar scenario in its extremes is what is happening in Kashmir.
Well, I agree that we need the army to protect and withdrawing army (at the expense of lives) may not be a good idea.
Where are these social activits when things are normal/quiet? There is no need for them to come and voice their views. Its only when normalcy breaks down they voice. As simple as that.
on 06 Sep 2005 at 3:31 pm # F e r r a r i
Nandu,
I am not too sure if the Human Right activists sit at home. They should be visiting every city where a rapist is hanged, and organise some meetings!
Msp,
These are some unavoidable situations
If we crush out the terrorists then there is no need for the army to be in Kashmir 
on 06 Sep 2005 at 3:33 pm # F e r r a r i
Yours truly,
If you talk abt freedom, Arundhati Roy will talk about the freedom of the terrorists!
Visithra,
Prevention is always better than cure!
on 06 Sep 2005 at 3:35 pm # F e r r a r i
Raman,
I saw this article in the Hindu only. Gone are the days when Hindu used to be neutral! Now its completely RED!
Vatsan,
I did that tag some months back dude
on 06 Sep 2005 at 3:37 pm # F e r r a r i
Jacky,
I agree some army people have been misbehaving. But is there any other option? The army high command should take action against such people, who are a disgrace to our wonderful indian army!
Sankar,
Your comment qualifies to be a good blog post buddy
on 06 Sep 2005 at 3:49 pm # F e r r a r i
prabhakar,
Thanks
And at same time cool down. As long as we are doing fine, lets not bother about what uncle SAM does. Did you get the email thats been floating recently? Comparing the New Orleans thingy with Mumbai floods?
Anonymous,
Thanks to the freedom of speech, I was able to make this post.
Regarding this NHRC, I have never seen them add any value. When they were fighting to save the life of a rapist, their true colors were clearly visible!
What did NHRC do when more than 200 people died in mumbai blasts? Was it a normal situation! I know what NHRC did in Gujarat after the godhra violence, for purely political reasons.
If our government decides to kill all the terrorists at one shot, will this NHRC keep quiet?
Last week this master mind behind Coimbatore blasts Madhani was brought to court. He wanted bail so that he can take medical treatment. The TN Govt said that without letting him out, they can provide the same medical treatment. The court agreed and denied bail. And what did NHRC do? They said Madhani should be let on bail?
Whenever the TN Police kills some extremists in Encounter, this NHRC wakes up. Agreed some innocents are victimized. But that is inevitable. If we keep hesitating nothing will happen!
And regarding Kashmiris being questioned by Army. Do we have another option. Its like medicine. No one likes to take medicine. But if we need to get well, we do need to take medicines right?
But the Army should take strong actions and enforce strict discipline. But withdrawing army from kashmir wont solve their problems. Atleast now they are alive. But the moment Army steps out, who knows what will happen to them. Its a risk not worth taking!
Sad that some army men are misbehaving
on 06 Sep 2005 at 4:58 pm # Jacky
Ferro, Deploying soldiers in every street itself is a testimony of Army’s failure to control infiltration. It’s a medicine but they are treating recurrent wounds without fixing its route cause.
on 06 Sep 2005 at 5:08 pm # F e r r a r i
Jacky,
All our Ji’s meet pakistan PM’s at Taj or islamabad. And then decide no for fighting at border. The kashmiri problem is because of politics of indira gandhi and nehru. Pls dont blame the army for the same. they dont have a free hand to do what they want!
on 06 Sep 2005 at 5:21 pm # Jacky
I’m not talking about fighting against Pak Army, am talking about curtailing infiltration at the border for which every country has a right and Army is directly responsible
on 06 Sep 2005 at 5:25 pm # F e r r a r i
Army is directly responsible. Yes. But if the army is instructed to ignore them, then who is responsible! This much infiltrations wouldnt have happened if not for big bosses approval.
on 06 Sep 2005 at 8:29 pm # Ganesh
Prabu
ennada bayangara kopathila irukkaya
but keep it coming
apparam chimpu updates unda illaya ?
on 06 Sep 2005 at 8:34 pm # Phoenix
I agree with you in part here, such personalities have a wider reach of audience so should def watch what they say….
on 06 Sep 2005 at 9:24 pm # Bala
I agree with u, terrorism in any form has to be crushed with iron hands.
on 06 Sep 2005 at 10:31 pm # DesiPundit » Against Terrorism (And Arundhati Roy?)
[...] Prabhu attempts to make a case for India taking a proactive approach against fighting terrorism Permalink Leave a [...]
on 07 Sep 2005 at 12:10 am # sanketh
“Mahatma Gandhi’s policy of Ahimsa worked against Britishers, since they were not terrorists.”
I’d refrain from letting the British off so gently. I’d say “Mahatma Gandhi’s policy of Ahimsa worked. Period!”
BTW, why get so offended by what Roy has to say. She has the right and she ought to. Isn’t it better to have dissenting voices. It helps evaluate your own stand and also your principles. I know her demand to withdraw troops is a trivialization of the situation. However, celebs thrive on hyperbole as does the press. So give her a fair chance to make her case.
Anyway, say what you want after all this contemplating what I know for a fact is that it is no use crying foul to the double standards. We have to face them because they are real and they are politically motivated.
Keep at it buddy. We need all kinds of opinions to make democracy work, don’t we?
on 07 Sep 2005 at 12:53 am # Yogustus
Buddy…ur anger is totally justified. I feel the same way. To cite an example…I saw a talk show on Star sometime back where a refugee from Afghanistan was the guest. He along with the audience was shown an interview with young Kashmiri college students who were angrily talking against the Indian government and forces. One kashmiri lady in particular was spewing venom with quite an intensity! After the clip, the Afghan refugee was asked if he could relate to the lady’s trouble. This was his answer…
Refugee: Madam…I would just tell her this…my dear…the reason you can say such things against your government…without having to hide ur face in fear or shame…is a fact that obviously escapes u. If i or someone else did similar things in our country…i would be dead by now.
This is to all those dicks who feel we are there in Kashmir to impose our rule. We are there because ur own people are killing you. Just try saying these same things u did against the militants…and see if u live to to see the next day. That’s the difference. If you still don’t get it…join Arundhati Roy.
on 07 Sep 2005 at 12:44 pm # Lazy Geek
hey prabhu, maybe she’s partially not correct(in my opinion) but i think we should withdraw army from kashmir for various other reasons not discussed here.
on 08 Sep 2005 at 12:27 am # Subhas
Prabhu, I feel that not just politics and bureaucracy, even the media/Fourth Estate is filled by third-rate people. The best people are going after money - quite a number of successful Indians (whether in India or abroad) are in business or other professions; or they may be ignoring public service because of skepticism. Or in other words, the number of intelligent-humanitarian-patriotic-strong willed people is very less when we compare to the freedom-fighting times. No wonder, pseudo-intellectuals like Arundhati Roy fill in the void.
on 08 Sep 2005 at 3:50 am # lulu
For those of you pompous fuckers who pronounce on who is inteleectual enough to talk - try to give a counterargument - not your views on credentials.
Waiting for it-
for eg. Peace has retunred to the valley
We should not withdraw becuase a, b, c,d
on 08 Sep 2005 at 9:02 am # F e r r a r i
Ganesh,
This weekend update panren
Phoenix,
Bala,
True
on 08 Sep 2005 at 9:09 am # F e r r a r i
Sanketh,
I am not saying britishers were gentlemen or whatever. I am just saying they were not terrorists. Thats all
Yogustus,
Good one!
Lazy naina,
Yes. Army should withdraw. The moment the terrorists are crushed to death
on 08 Sep 2005 at 9:11 am # F e r r a r i
Subhas,
I agree with you.
lulu,
Take a deep breath. Relax. Drink lots of water. Again take a deep breath. Count from 1 to 100. Done? Now tell me what you wanted to say
on 08 Sep 2005 at 9:52 am # Cacaphonix
Army, Rapid Action Force, Special task police yet all are created for some purpose. By name they are FORCES. They have act like one. They have to be tough. When they are installed it will be ridiculous in our part to see human rights violation on each and every matter. The human rights violation on overall course is what one has to see to check army in control.
Every army personnel’s morality goes down when s/he is installed against his/her own countrymen. Their purpose and training makes them to be tough at the same time their blood bleeds for the action against their own country men.
Why the hell should the army be deployed in the first place? Was the Army was so keen. Nay, it was the situation created by the people.
“Just imagine this: A countless number of security people stop you and check while to do your day-to-day routine (shopping, going to work, travelling, etc.,).”
yeah! when law enforcement doesn’t know who the culprit is, then you must be scanned at each step. Society is largely responsible for making a small burn into trauma and when it is treated with tough medication blaming the doctor is ridiculous.
Kashmiris(including local government) are responsible for the violence. Now that many of them have realised the mistake and realised what they have lost but whatever they have abetting till now has grown larger than them which is hurting them; not the one which has come to rescue them.
on 08 Sep 2005 at 10:03 am # Cacaphonix
F E R R A R I
The-China (thats how my friend and I have named that mount-road malady) and its darling vociforous booker prize winner have every right to speak, its free country.
A free country expects its ordinary citizen to be more intelligent, in identifying and filtering out crap and good information.
So when you listen to the foul-mouthed voices try to dig out meritorious information out of a load of crap (if at all any meritorious info. exists). If you dont find then altogether ignore it.
Many a times our commonners are more adept in this ignorance strategy than so-called half-baked educated like us. it is not a dig at you or me, but exposure and education sometime create a lot of confusion and it is where our discerning capacity would help. When one is able to do then the education one had has attained its purpose.
kalvi karayila; kaRpavar naaL sila
mella irukkin piNi pala; theLLidhin
aaraindhamayudaya kaRpavE
neer ozhiya paal un kurugiRReRindhu
“education is boundless; learner’s life is limited;
pain and suffering limits the life further
so one who seeks knowledge has to get it just like the swan separates water from the milk”
on 08 Sep 2005 at 11:07 am # Raman
yes withdraw the army and the problem will be solved - there will be no Kashmir !!
this is the error made by Nehru when the Indian Army was in an advantageous position and would have driven out the Kashmiri invaders - but the dreamy lotus eater of Kashmir who was very fond of his pancha sheel strategy took a very dharmic step and referred the issue to the UN - that is where we are still.
These problems cannot be solved overnight - even after 56 years we are struggling, even to start a dialogue - and the situation had already been messed up by local, national and international vested interests.
Assuming for a moment, we withdraw the Army there - what will happen? Will peace come immediately ? If it is a face to face fight the Army would have solved the problem long ago but when the sneakers hit and run it is not easy, and because of this every person comes under suspicion — let arundhati write a fiction with a plot of army withdrawing and kashmir blooming
on 20 Sep 2005 at 3:36 pm # Vikas Kaul
Hi Ferrari,
Thanks to Blog Search, I came across your blog. Arundhati Roy’s recent comments about Kashmir in Outlook infuriated me as well and I wrote an article on it too. If you are interested, please go through it.
http://vikaskaul.blogspot.com/lets-talk-ms-roy.html
{lulu, you might be interested since you were asking for a counter-argument}
good work.