Bull's Eye

Didn't the audience appreciate that terrorists might strike precisely for the purpose of destroying Musharraf, Vajpayee and the whole peace process? To cross a red light during traffic might entail a 10 per cent chance of accident. But if the accident occurs, it could be fatal. So people avoid crossing at a red light. The cricket tour in present circumstances is like a red light. An accident could be fatal. But both the Indian and Pakistani governments have gone ahead.The overall context in which the tour is being held is horrendous. India has blundered into the situation because of a confused government. During the SAARC summit in Pakistan, Vajpayee met with Musharraf. The peace process was resumed. The cricket tour was agreed upon as a great confidence-building measure.

But after SAARC, the Advani faction inexplicably forced a general election months before its due date. That puts the peace process in jeopardy. Vajpayee was initially against advancing the poll. But at the Hyderabad session of the BJP national executive, a sulking Advani and rebellious party office-bearers forced Vajpayee's hand. With characteristic weakness, he succumbed to pressure.Thus does an explosive cocktail of events emerge! So Caesar, beware the Ides of March! In March, the election process in India picks up. A major terrorist strike could not only derail the peace process but also remove Vajpayee, the most persistent advocate of Indo-Pak peace. In March, the cricket tour begins. There is nothing that could more inflame public opinion against authority in both India and Pakistan than serious harm done to cricketers. In March, the joint US-Pakistan military action against Al Qaeda is being stepped up for a final assault to capture Osama bin Laden, hiding in the tribal belt between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Will the jehadis remain helpless? Or will they strike? For them is there a better target than the cricket tour? At one go they could destroy two governments and the peace process. I hope these are paranoid fears. The government, though, is approaching a red light.