In his latest UN speech, President Musharraf referred to Gujarat. After the terrorist attack on the Swaminarayan temple, bjp leaders cited this to blame Pakistan. Without providing proof, the government insisted the terrorists were Pakistani.
Even if the terrorists were local, it would not be unreasonable to suspect the Pakistani hand. If so, what would be Pakistan's objective? Not merely to offset India's propaganda advantage derived from the Kashmir election, as bjp leaders naively believe.
If Musharraf is indeed behind the latest Gujarat carnage, it would be foolish to underestimate him. His confident reference to Gujarat at the UN would suggest that his goal is more long-term than merely to negate the Kashmir election.
Intelligence reports had warned earlier that isi agents were searching Gujarat's refugee camps for recruits. The bitterness generated among Muslims by the Modi government would have facilitated their efforts. No amount of arms and funds can sustain a terrorist movement without local volunteers to carry it out. The recent conduct of the Gujarat government has created precisely the breeding ground for such volunteers.
Is that how the Tehrik-e-Kasas, the Movement for Revenge, was born? For the movement to succeed, the terrorists would have to be primarily Gujaratis. If Pakistan is indeed behind the temple carnage, as the government suggests, the nation should prepare for the worst.
There could be more terrorist attacks in Gujarat to establish the identity of the new organisation. These attacks would expectedly provoke riots and police reprisals, victimising even innocents. More Muslims would be alienated. More recruitment would follow. The strategic aim, of course, would be to destabilise India's most important industrial centre, with its vital oil and petrochemical installations, and ruin Indian economy. Muslims could even be encouraged to migrate to Kutch or the coastline, changing Gujarat's demographic profile.
Possibilities seem endless. Politicians appear mindless. Prospects look hopeless. Unless, of course, investigations reveal that the truth behind the Swaminarayan temple carnage is as mystifying as it was in the Godhra fire.
As we sow,
We will reap,
As things go,
We're neck-deep!
