TV channels cross LoC

Like any ordinary Indian, I felt greatly relieved when the news trickled in of the surgical strike of Indian armed forces on the terror launch pads located in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early Thursday.

Relieved, because, it has been a long-pending act, which it should have been done long long ago. But the political will was not there. It was non-existent. Our inaction was always a puzzle to me. The question was “why did we not act?” It was always "why cannot we act?"

As condemnation after condemnation uttered and as a warning over warning was delivered, what really followed was just a painful wait.Finally, the nation-wide outrage got answered and people slept peacefully after a long time.

In fact, the new doctrine of offensive-defence seems to be much palatable. We are not waging a war on Pakistan's people. The most beautiful part of it all is the proclamation that having completed the surgical strike the army is back to its positions.

Our army conveyed the message not only to Pakistan but also to the whole world that as the neighbours could not contain the terror plans, we acted on their behalf. And, if the situation does not improve we would continue cooperating with the neighbouring government similarly.

The government displayed a great maturity in not being jingoistic in any way and the restraint shown by the leadership naturally is a cause of concern to the neighbour who was used to the sabre-rattling of Indian leadership all these years.

"The operations were focused on ensuring that these terrorists do not succeed in their design to cause destruction and endanger the lives of our citizens" was a cool announcement.

Amid yet another war being waged on the news channels on either side over the issue - as has been the case for quite some years now – 39 trucks rolled over across the Line of Control (LoC) in Salamabad, crossing the Kaman Post Aman Setu bridge in the afternoon on Thursday.

There was a sense of relief among the traders who were staring at huge losses as their chilli seeds, jeera, dry fruits and embroidery items (from India) and mangoes, dry fruits and herbal items (of the Pakistani traders) were lying in wait to be bought by the people on either side.

This was the second-most cheerful news to me because it is all about the people. People like you and me or anyone else anywhere.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the people of Pakistan to voice their concerns over the neglect of good governance, what we all need is education, health, employment and security. We as the people of the two nations need not be pushed into a war however, best certain groups may try to invoke it.

I wonder, sometimes, whether it is our news channels that are poisoning our minds more than the terror groups on either side. Yes, we fought our wars and continue to do so to retain our sovereignties. We certainly have a right on the entire Kashmir and the neighbours are entitled to their opinions.

But why vitiate the atmosphere so much? Amidst millions of minds seeking a billion ways to explore the possibilities of a war, let me admit, there must be at least a half to them who must be thinking "is it not a good idea to talk peace".

Talking peace is not being anti-national. Certainly not! Because those who seek peace are not saying don't act against terror modules. In fact, a terrorist is anti-national, be it in his own country or for a neighbour or for the whole world.

The one who believes in death as an instrument of power or for religious supremacy should know that he has no place in a civilized world. As he is a block or a hindrance in the path of peace, he should be taken out.

The media has lost its judgment here completely on either side. The unlimited and unbridled hate mongering going on in the prime time debates of the channels in both the countries should be the real cause of concern for all us.

This hate-indoctrination has crossed all boundaries and it could have disastrous consequences to the people of the two nations. The hostile propaganda being unleashed on either side will do no good to either.

This feeling of hate we need to overcome lest it blindfolds us. We will not be able to distinguish between the right and the wrong and between the fact and the fiction.

Moreover, such extreme anger makes us push the nations to the brink of war. Media's role is to test the truth. Yes, Pakistan could be termed a rogue State for harbouring rogue elements and groups.

The media could always urge the governments to act against the same and if they don't it could seek its way of building up pressure against the governments to act against such evil.

But, what right has it got to pit people against people? Let us hate the rogue elements, but not hate the people in general. The channels are bent upon making us hate each other.

The lowly language being churned out and the ridicule being heaped upon each other for the omissions and commissions of the governments are pitting people against each other.

Everyone is pushed towards the hardline and forced to accept it. The hysterical sermons heard on the news channels are telling the doves that this is a place for hawks. The only message loud and clear is "you either turn into one (a hawk) or become its cannon fodder" is the message that is loud and clear.

Bullying, bulldozing and whipping up passions have become the main course of all such discourses.No one is dreaming of the establishment of a utopian order on this earth, though some may wish. The idea of a place where all is well is of great antiquity. It is difficult to find one, certainly not in the present times.

More so, because some jihadist wants to establish his own order! Who would say it is possible to create an earthly paradise as in 'Gligamesh', the Sumerian epic where "the croak of the raven was not heard, the bird of death did not utter the cry of death, the lion did not devour, the wolf did not tear the lamb, the dove did not mourn. There was no widow, no sickness, no old age, no lamentation".

But, the imagery being churned out by some of the news channels, be it literal, perceptual and or conceptual, is quite disturbing as it is not exclusively one thing or another, overlapping and thus combining often.

It is not just the TRP ratings that are driving them, but an innate craving to depict their fleeting impressions from a subjective point of view which is forcing them to resort to these behavioral disorders. Such channels and such anchors are not interested in a precise representation of either truth or events.

They confuse you and subjugate you. They want the viewers to be followers just like any other cult leaders. Then, they try to proceed to the occult levels with their hidden agenda.

As I said earlier, the only silver lining, in these troubled times, is in the matured leadership at the helm. Compared to the media, the political class is simply nationalistic. Electioneering is different and leaders could say anything then to attract votes. This is governance time and rabble-rousing will not help. The strike is over.

It should be business as usual.... till the next call. Mute the channels until.