Thread by @sarang_gosavi

Expressing myself frankly, although some (mostly many) readers will be angry. As it is, I have gotten into a habit of listening or responding to many weird allegations while working in Jammu and Kashmir, so this is not a new thing. 1/n
#AirStrike #JAndK #India #WeTheNation

For the last few days, the Bhakts, or the ultra-nationalists, or the Dynasts, or those who hold only a Family's word to be the ultimate truth, or probably ALL LIVING HUMANS in India have upheld and paraded with a lot of slogans and hashtags. 2/n

Some are promoting wars, some opposing them, some proposing peace, some just making random noise. Many people have speculated about the number of terrorists dead in the cross-border air strikes, the proposed number ranging from zero to three hundred. 3/n

Honestly, I didn't intend to write about this, but couldn't hold back seeing all this mess. Here it goes..... 4/n

1. By giving a strong response to the neighboring country via air strikes, we have asserted the fact that whatever happens, we will not compromise on National Security, and whichever government is in Power, the entire nation will stand with it as one. 5/n

2. In case *If* WC Abhinandan was not captured, then what would have been the stand of those who have in recent days nominated some people for Peace Nobel? I think we have all been entangled in short-term, temporary stands and self-satisfying answers. 6/n

45 soldiers were killed in Pulwama, and we were all angered at the terrorists beyond anybody's wildest imaginations, baying for their blood. But did we pay any attention to the 100-plus soldiers who sacrificed their lives last year? 7/n

We need a bomb blast to pay attention to some issue, just bullets are not enough, this is what one can conclude. Such is our state, that initially we asked for war, and when the government accepted a bargain of air strikes.......... 8/n

.........(which was earlier turned down in 2008), like a fish market scene, we have again started a discussion (almost a fight) on the number of terrorist casualties. 9/n

3. Our armed forces are capable of delivering deadly and accurate blows to where it matters. But just because we can start a war, does not mean we should all ask for it, (obviously because it is practically unaffordable) 10/n

By mixing our raw feelings into the already turbulent atmosphere, we are just giving our opponents a chance to exploit our differences of opinion to further their agenda. 11/n

The iron fist should have a velvet glove, responding strongly to the enemies, and simultaneously preserving our unity, together, as a nation. 12/n

4. Terrorism has a simple principal, to exploit the differences in a society, and create a divide big enough to manufacture a cause, using which it can further violence and terror. Peaceful society is the only possible solution for this. 13/n

To address all the violence, and to answer the terrorists in the language they understand - is the job of our armed forces, and by doing so, forces give us all an opportunity to make peace. Making and Sustaining peace is OUR job, not the forces' job, so keep them out of it. 14/n

We all want to make India a strong, united and progressive society. Spreading hate, or instigating violence just to garner few applauses and few thousand votes, is not an indicator of bravery. 15/n

Instead, we should concentrate our efforts on making India an even better nation, while maintaining a policy of no tolerance (that is, controlled aggression) towards terrorism.
16(n)/n
With love, Sarang Gosavi