There is worldwide outrage over the demolition of the Bamiyan Buddha statues. But whatis the political fallout?
First, tension between the Shias and the Sunnis has deepened. After the demolition,Shias were slaughtered in Afghanistan. The Taliban denied this but TV pictures saidotherwise. The Taliban were incensed by Iran's criticism. Iran's offer to rescuethe statues worsened matters. Shias were killed in Pakistan too.
Second, the demolition isolated the Taliban from international Muslim opinion. Muslimnations, including Pakistan, condemned the action. The Organisation of Islamic Conferenceformally deplored it.
Third, tension between Hindus and Buddhists in India might decrease. Relations worsenedafter the vhp insisted on a Hindu temple at Bodh Gaya. Indian Buddhists tend to sympathisewith Muslims and Christians. Hindu outrage over the demolition might soften theiranti-Hindu feeling. Indian Muslims have deplored the demolition. But the endorsing of theTaliban demolition by Delhi's Shahi Imam, who acts like a Bajrang Dal counterpart,could have its effect.
But the most significant impact of Taliban vandalism may lie elsewhere. To avoidisolation, China did not veto the UN Security Council's condemnation of thedemolition. It was forced to belatedly express mild regret. China has been theTaliban's silent patron. Pakistan's army and isi are paws of the Chinese dragon.Indian media pundits gloss over this. They do this through either ignorance or bias.
China's links with the Taliban go back to the days when its cadres fought theSoviets as the Afghan mujahideen. Those links continue. For instance, in April 1999, theChinese cooperated with the Taliban to extract unexploded Russian and American missilesfrom Afghanistan. In September 2000, Chinese engineers installed Chinese equipment to helpthe Taliban set up electricity and communication systems. Such instances can bemultiplied.
For decades, China has brutally suppressed independence movements in Tibet and InnerMongolia. Both have restive Buddhist populations. They cannot openly protest. But how willthey react to China's muted response to the statues' demolition?
China is a man of all seasons. It woos the Taliban. It suppresses Tibet. But now theclimate may become unbearable for even a man of all seasons. In time to come, China mayfind it increasingly difficult to please the Taliban and at the same time control itsrestive Buddhists.
They tire their bones
Crushing statues and stones,
But their bluster and din
Amuses Allah within!
