View from the other side

What Indians think

After the strike, Indians rejoiced, assessing that they have given a befitting answer to Pakistan for all the alleged terrorist activities it conducts on Indian soil

The two nuclear-armed rivals, India and Pakistan, always find a way to land in hot waters; the frequent tension on the Line of Control (LoC) isn’t new nor is it any less interesting. This past week has been particularly chaotic, due to the apparent ‘surgical strike’, which raised many questions and voices on both ends, many of which are pro but mostly anti-war

The atmosphere is Pakistan is undeniably against war too but has a tinge of revenge for the lost souls and uninvited firing from across the border stays in the air. Having been isolated from SAARC countries and the world for allegedly supporting terrorism, Pakistan is fighting tooth and nail to get rid of the evil. India still expects more.

DNA talked across the border with eminent Indians for their views on the current situation.

The Indian perceptive

After the strike, Indians rejoiced, assessing that they have given a befitting answer to Pakistan for all the alleged terrorist activities it conducts on Indian soil.

“After the strike, the people of India and opponents are thanking the current government. Family of the martyred in the Uri attack are also content,” said Niraj Singh, Senior journalist, while talking to DNA.

Pakistan, which itself is a victim of terrorism, has been fighting the war against terrorism alone for a while now, but the international community isn’t pleased.

“The strike took place because of terror camps operating in Pakistan with the establishment’s support. We were securing our motherland which is being targeted by terrorists trained by the Pakistani army and ISI against India,” explained Niraj Singh.

“The popular notion is that Pakistan has been supporting terrorist to conduct activities against India and that is what angers the people,” said Jyoti Kamal, senior editor, CNN News 18, while taking to DNA.

The media

From the ban on artists to contesting for an all out war, the media on both ends has been fuelling patriotic rhetoric’s that ask for revenge.

The media feeds on negativity but is also a major source of dialogue between the people of both the countries.

“Unfortunately, sections of the media in both countries are feeding this frenzy. They are driven mainly by their concerns for garnering eyeballs and TRPS,” said Javed M Ansari, executive editor at India Today TV, while talking to DNA on a telephonic interview.

The war-mongering, chest thumping feeling isn’t prevalent in the country, stated by the media houses. “The media should show what actually the majority of Indians want which is against an all out war,” said Jyoti Kamal.

If not war then what?

Both the sides want to stay clear of a fully fledged war but do not want to come to the table to set the ground rules.

In a recent statement, PM Nawaz Sharif said that we would defend our homeland against any aggression (but wouldn’t be the initiator).

India on the other hand wants to play it more strategically after the strike.

“War may or may not take place as the Indian government plans to isolate Pakistan in the world fraternity because the public wants India to teach Pakistan a stern lesson once and for all,” said Niraj Singh.

“We will pull back from the brink. Not doing so is not an option. Our relations will continue to oscillate from hostile to brief interludes of sanity,” believes Javed Ansari

Though people in India know that Pakistan has been fighting terrorism and is a victim itself, they still perceive terrorism as Pakistan’s own doing. “They supported terrorism so much so that is back fired. The idea is to keep war at bay and aware the international community that the Pakistani establishment isn’t putting in enough effort to make sure that Pakistani soil isn’t used for terror against India,” confirmed Jyoti Kamal.

The future of the duo

Like many times in the past, there is reason believe that wiser heads will prevail and the international community will manage to pull the two countries from the brink. Ideally both the countries should have been able to resolve this amongst themselves.

“We will pull back from the brink. Not doing so is not an option. Our relations will continue to oscillate from hostile to brief interludes of sanity,” believes Javed Ansari.

Others on the other hand think that the situation can only be handled if Pakistan rebuilds the trust India puts in it. “Our relations depends on how seriously Pakistan takes them. Now India is in no mood to give leverage as given in the past,” emphasises Niraj Singh.

A bad future is no future at all, but India wants clear assurances from Pakistan that it won’t be a terrorist supporting state and anti Indian aliments will not operated from or on the soil. “The future of the neighbours highly depend on Pakistan’s activities against the freely operating banned outfits,” says Jyoti Kamal.