IS INDIA IN FLAMES--A FUTURISTIC SHORT STORY!

It was 14 June 2004. A father and a daughter in their Sector 29, NOIDA, flat were discussing the intricacies of life. The daughter wanted to learn from the life experiences of her father, whom she rated very highly. In fact, he had been a role model for her. The conversation veered around to the factors leading to recognition and success in life.
“Truth leaves bitter taste in the mouth. My dear, the harsh truth is that no one wants to be on the side of truth because it can only swell and ultimately die of obesity as anonymously as it can.” Brigadier Usman was counseling his young daughter just out of the Jawaharlal Lal Nehru University, JNU for short, after completing her doctorate in literature.
Ameena listened to her father very attentively. She asked him a very pertinent question, “What is your recipe for success in this material world?”
“Be controversial because controversy sells” was Brigadier Usman’s crisp answer.
“I don’t get you Pa?” Ameena was shocked.
“It is, simple, very simple. If a dog bites a man, it is never news. But should a man bite a dog, it is a headline. You do not become famous by writing on truth. The easiest way is to “BE AN ODD MAN OUT”. Do not be part of the popular sentiments, go against it.” Usman sermonized.
“But, dad this is not fame but notoriety.” Ameena protested.
“You are right. Today, notoriety is synonym with fame. It is the post-modern age euphemism for greatness.” Brigadier Usman amplified.
“Illustrate, dad.” Ameena was questioning the wisdom of her father.
“You see how did great Nirad C Chaudhary become famous? Just hating and writing against his own people i.e. Indians. Take the case of Salman Rushdie or even Tasleema Nasreen. They all used the inside information of the weakness of their people to become famous” Brigadier Usman elaborated.
“You mean to say this lady called Miss Kumati Devi Roy falls into this category” Ameena asked.
“Absolutely, my dear. You know the Ramon Magsaysay Award has been thrust upon her by people who want to propel her into fame and use her, then, for raising voice against the establishment—because there will be some fools who would give her the company.” Brigadier Usman clarified his view.
“But what’s wrong dad?” Ameena shot back.
“Everything, Ameena. You see, when I was conducting operations against ULFA militants in Assam, I was asked by all concerned to stage encounters and earn popularity amongst the military circles. But I did not, as my conscious did not allow. I knew this was the weakness of our system. I also my officers and men and the unit suffered even after doing extremely well. We did not get recognition. But my conscience was clear: IF YOU CAN NOT GIVE LIFE; YOU CAN NOT TAKE LIFE. I won over the militants and the heart of local populace but in terms of success efforts of the unit remained unrecognized” Brig Usman painfully disclosed.
“So, this is your advice to me”, Ameena thoughtfully asked.
“Well, whatever you might think, but this is the hard fact of life.” Brigadier replied.
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Come 15January 2009. Government of India had banned the book, “One country, one law and One Nationality” by Ameena khan. The book had highlighted why Muslims of India must stop looking for guidance outside the national borders. She had brought out as to how the Pan-Islamic aspirations of some of the religious bigots were harming the interests of Muslim community in India. She had used very harsh words on the ambivalence of the people of Kashmir. She had also advocated for the abrogation of article 370 and special status to Kashmir. She had emphasized that Hurriat Conference, a conglomerate of 23 individuals, was basically formed to pursue the personal agenda of these individuals. She accused that most of them worked for ISI of Pakistani.
This had created uproar not only amongst the Muslims but also some concerned secularists. There was agitation for banning the book. Surprisingly the mass agitation was led by Kumati Devi Roy, famous for her Ramon Magsaysay award winning book,” God Did Not Do Me Justice”—where she had ridiculed the Hindu gods for the plight of Indian women. Somehow she felt that Ameena Khan’s book was a sacrilegious act and it ridiculed a religion. The agitation led by her over the last few months had turned violent and many people had lost lives. Ultimately, the government had to yield and the book was banned. Also, the government had issued orders for the arrest of Ameena Khan. She had gone under ground but her old father Brigadier Usman was taken into protective custody so that he does not suffer the wrath of agitation. His protests that he saw no threat and danger to his life bore no fruits with authorities.
The banning of the book led to another agitation by those who thought that every one had a right to express his/ her views. The agitation had started on 16 January 2009. People had been peacefully carrying out the agitation till 20 January 2009, till news came one day that Brigadier Usman had died in the police custody. This turned the agitation violent and some HINDU organizations jumped into the fray. They wanted the government to fix the culprits responsible for the death of Brigadier Usman, who, as per them was a national hero. It had become an all India agitation. But the government remained firm and book continued to be banned.
Ameena khan’s ancestors were from Baluchistan in Pakistan but around 1921 her great grand father had come and settled down in Poonchh. Her grand father had been in the British Indian army, who had joined Indian National Army of Subhash Chander Bose in 1943. He was arrested and tried for treason by the British but acquitted and settled in New Delhi. At the time of partition in 1947, her family opted to stay back in India but they continued to have connections with Poonchh. She considered herself a native of J&K state by all means. As a student in the JNU, she used to be in the forefront of all agitations demanding equal status for Muslim Women.

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25 January 2009. The president of India, on the eve of the Republic day address to the nation had appealed for national reconciliation. She had requested every one to leave the path of violence and confrontation. She asked the youth to work for the progress and development of the nation rather than getting involved in the destructive activity. She had cautioned that TERRORISM and MILITANCY can never resolve an Issue, it will only complicate because counter point will equally be as competitive and violent. She had specially advised the KASHMIRI SEPARATISTS that they were harming their own interests at the behest of a foreign nation. She had asserted INDIA would never PART with KASHMIR, come what may. She told the misguided Kashmiri youth that 115 Crore Indians will lay down their lives because KASHMIR is the core of India’s not only NATIONHOOD but also INDIANESS. Those who wanted separate homeland they went away in 1947. In India now, only Indians live. This was a very very emotional speech by any president of India since Independence and it could come only from a women President. The speech was received very well in all intellectual circles.
Somehow of some English news Channels did not approve of President’s address. They described it as an attempt to threaten people of KASHMIR. They described it as a check on the freedom and liberty of the people. During the ongoing debate, a telephone caller from KOLKOTTA asked the anchor of debate on one channel as to what did he mean by encroaching upon the FREEDOM & LIBERTY of people of Kashmir. “Was it a FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT to TERRORISE OTHERS and kill others if you did not like their religion,” he had asked? The news anchor told him that you were a HINDU FUNDAMENTALIST. This set of a chain reaction and there were a number of tele callers who called news anchor as irresponsible. Suddenly, outside the studio in MUMBAI, a huge crowd collected and the building was ransacked. The studio was set on fire. The desperate calls of the news anchor Mr. Pardeep Roy, to the police control room were unanswered. Mob was on the rampage everywhere in the city. Police was unable to cop with mob fury. The virus spread to other cities in the country. It was spontaneous reactions of the people who were fed up with the ENGLISH MEDIA for its biased views. The offices of ENGLISH NEWS CHANNELS as well as some ENGLISH dailies were under attack. The attempt of the police to control the crowd failed everywhere. At some places even policemen had joined the mobs.
Same day, a protest march was carried out in Ajodhya—where Miss Ameena Khan thundered that Babri Masjid was a historical error which was corrected on 06 December 1991. She asked Muslims of India to recognize this fact. She said all these Muslim religious leaders were deliberately keeping the Muslim population ignorant and uneducated so that they could maintain their grip over the UNINFORMED PEOPLE and retain their leadership of the community. She wanted the killers of her father to be brought to book. She named some Government officials of her community who were involved in the controversy.
She had given the call, “If you are an INDIAN, march to Ajodhya---Let us construct the Temple”. That day Ajodhya turned so violent that it never had been before. Additional forces were rushed in but it could not control the raging sea of humanity. Her ‘AJODHYA CHALO CALL’ had a Mesmerizing effect over India and Indians. Not surprisingly, Muslims of India had also joined her call.
All over India people had a bee line for Ajodhya. Barricades by the administration had failed. In her interview to a news channel next day, she had stated, “HAM MANDIR AISA BANYENGE—ISKI NEEMV KASHMIR TAK LE JAYENGE” (We will build such a shrine that its foundation will extend up to Kashmir”. Her concluding remarks sent the shiver down the spine of government. She had said, “Our next march will be to SRINAGAR---we will defy ARTICLE 370—we will fill it up with CRORES and CRORES of INDIANS—we can not have TWO LAWS in ONE COUNTRY.” She had told the ZEE TV NEWS anchor, “INDIA is for INDIANS—not HINDUS, Not MUSLIMS, Not Sikhs and not CHRISTIANS. Practice your religion at home. DO NOT CARRY IT ON YOUR SLEEVES.” This had a sparkling impact on the youths of India. AMEENA KHAN had become a YOUTH ICON----a GODDESS who will deliver. Her appeals used to have electrifying effect on youth. A new vibrant India was rising.
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While India was burning, Indian politicians were busy blaming each other for this. In Uttar Pradesh, the blame game was between SP and BSP. At the national level, it was between NDA and UPA. No one knew how to control human emotions once raked up. After all these political leaders are not trained in HUMAN MANAGEMENT---at best, they are expert in how to exploit them. They often fall back on their police and armed forces. Police had raised hands; Army too, was reluctant to take on the job.
By first week of August 2009, situation had become worse. There was no law and order in the country. The situation had become so violent that first time since India became free in 1947, the Flag hoisting ceremony by the Prime minister of India at the Red Fort had to be cancelled. The army was cut off on the custodial death of its ex-officer Brigadier Usman. It wanted first those culprits, who killed Brigadier USMAN to be arrested and brought to the book. The Army chief had refuted that army was blackmailing the newly formed CENTRAL GOVERNMENT of 54 regional parties, who had assumed office only in May 2009. These parties had their own regional agenda and they threaten to pull out of the government at the drop of a hat.
On 17 August 2009, at 1200 hours a DDTV correspondent spoke to Chief of the army staff in his office.
The correspondent had asked the first question, “Why army was not intervening to set things right”
The army Chief had questioned back, “Why, what was wrong?”
“There is lawless in the country. Police is unable to control”, the questioner had reiterated.
“You chaps—the champions of freedom and liberty ------should know it better that law and order problem did not fall under the purview of army jobs” Chief had said.
“But there was a mess in the country—there is no rule of law. You have to intervene.” The journalist was pleading.
“Young man, it was not army’s doing. Who has created this mess? How long you will keep using my boys for your own comforts and luxuries? You had been glamorizing the militants and chiding the armed forces for violations of human rights. How vociferous has been that lady journalist of yours along with Miss Kumati Devi Roy in denigrating my men in Kashmir? It is you who have created this mess and sort it out, now.” Chief had rebuked.
“But you are morally bound to intervene” the interviewer had begged.
“Old chap, you have to amend the constitution of India for army to take over such situations on its own---The law of the land does not want army in the Law and Order jobs. There is no question of moral responsibility. Tomorrow some of you only will blame us for VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS” The army chief had given a befitting reply.
“Aren’t you getting paid for this? It is your duty to protect the nation at the verge of collapse” The questioner was panicking.
“Thank god, you guys are realizing as to what have you done to this nation by overly emphasizing on Individual freedom and free speech. My dear friend, freedom, liberty and free speech do not come unshackled. They ought to have some restrictions to ensure your safety and security.” Chief had advised.
“But there has to be a way out of this mess” the correspondent had insisted.
“The way out is political solution. Still, there is time. Do not think of army now. Why don’t you approach that person who while discussing the SIXTH PAY COMMISSION on your channel some months back had said, ‘What was so special that army does to be paid so lavishly?’ Your interviewer had not even protested. I am sorry; army refuses to be drawn into this time. We have decided, let government sack all the Generals, Air marshals and Admirals, we will not intervene in law and order problems.”
The interviewing journalist could only sum up to say, “This is the first time in the history of independent India, army has out rightly refused to come to the aid of civil authorities. Unless army intervenes and there is no chance as of now, India will continue to be under chaos and disorder. The movement by AMEENA KHAN has spread to every village, every town and hutment—people are going crazy---only god can help. Which God? Hindu or Muslim or Christian or Sikh, I don’t know but it has to be Indian God and AMEENA KHAN has acquired that status. This is Satish Chandra of DDTV breaking News to you from South Block, New Delhi.”
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BBC broke the news at 1800hours IST on 17 August 2009 that USA foreign office had issued advisory to its citizens to leave India, followed by Great Britain and most of the European countries. The news anchor had also stated that the new president-elect of USA was greatly concerned about the nuclear weapons in India. This was the reason the President George Bush had stated that he had pushed forward a NUCLEAR DEAL with India. But some how, the deal had got scuttled by NSG (Nuclear supplier’s Group). The world was greatly worried about the disturbed situation in India.
All eyes were fixed on Kashmir. AMEENA KHAN’ had given a call to youths of India “To ‘CHALO’ KASHMIR ON 01 SEPTEMBER 2009. WE WILL HOIST NATIONAL FLAG AT LAL CHOWK” (Let us go to KASHMIR on 01 SEPTEMBER 2009.) It had created a situation of confrontation. Authorities were tight lipped in Kashmir. While militant’s organizations were making brave statements from across the borders, but the common man was worried. The common man knew by sitting on the other side of the border the militants can make tall claims but it would be real catastrophe if CRORES OF INDIAN YOUTHS had marched into the valley. They knew militants had overplayed their cards on the SHRINE LAND CASE this time.
A common feeling amongst the average Kashmiri was that the other side had been pushed to a corner where it has now adopted an attitude “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”. The main worry of KASHMIRIS was that INDIAN MUSLIM YOUTH had joined the movement and on top of that it was led by a Muslim girl. Whatever little sympathy Kashmir had amongst Indian Muslims, it had been lost over the SHRINE LAND CASE. Only a few English Channels had spoken for some times in favor of Kashmir but after the attack by mob fury, they had been silenced. Kashmiris knew Pakistan was in no position to help. It was involved in its own political fights. Its military was involved in Baluchistan and NWFP. They were fighting Taliban. The common man was apprehensive of the damage done to KASHMIR by the militant’s arrogance. Politically it was itself being destabilized by Zardari and Nawaz Sharief political skirmishes. Only ISI was some hope but it was under attack both by President Zardari and USA. Army was asked to rein it in. General Kiyani the COAS of Pak army had to do this. Thus Kashmir awaited mayhem on 01 September 2009.
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Major General Narveer Singh Bhaduria, Joint secretary in the RAW (Research and Analyses wing), was pulling his hair. He could not believe this. This was explosive information with him. There was a fax from one of the MOSSAD operatives. It was terrifying. The fax had an intercepted message from the head of a Middle East country to its military attaché in New Delhi. It had asked the recipient, “PUT INDIA ON FLAMES? If the need be pay two billion dollars more get DURGA killed by some Muslim Boy. The March to Kashmir on 01 September must be scuttled-----------”
Narveer could make out who was being referred to as Durga. He also could make out as to why she was being planned to be killed by a Muslim boy. It was clear the aim was to create a divide in the new-found unity amongst the Hindu –Muslim youths. But he could not understand the motive of this country of the Middle-East. The next sentence of the fax had further created a big confusion. It had said, “------------Collect the money from USA Ambassador to India--------------.”
While he was scratching his brains, he was reminded of a report by one of their agents in NEW YORK. It was titled, ‘US INTERSTS IN KASHMIR and GILGIT HUNZA area of POK.”. He opened his cupboard and took out the relevant file. He leafed through the pages. It starts of with a news item which stated that the USA satellite imagery had found huge reserves of oil in the GUREJ-KARGIL- BALTISTAN-DARISTAN Areas of Kashmir. Besides Gilgit-Hunza region was replete with massive Uranium ores. The report had said that the information dates back to 1987. Ever since then, USA had desired to get a foothold in the KASHMIR valley. The commentator had stated that she had obliquely approached ZIA-UL-HAQUE in March 1988 for establishing a ‘high altitude weather interception laboratory’ in Gilgit but it was turned down by ZIA. Subsequently, huge money was paid by USA to buy land in POK through some militant organizations. The report went on to explain how USA had been funding the HURRIAT & other Kashmiri Leaders covertly to keep the ‘AZADI’ POT Boiling. The report had concluded that quagmire in KASHMIR was the result of US ambivalence. It wants KASHMIR to be sliced away from India and PAKISTAN and become it SURROGATE. Besides, the report had mentioned it gave USA many advantages vis-à-vis its future enemy of reckoning----People’s Republic of China. It can closely watch China from here.
“So, this is what it is. We are victim of a bigger game.” Major General Narveer had told himself. “But wait a minute, if this be so, Why should MOSSADH give us this information” Narveer had wondered. But next minute he had the answer because it was a private fax from one of the MOSSAD operative who did not like the new US President. He had given it to Brigadier Harry Sandhu, one of the four deputies of Narveer, who had gone to Israel for a routine conference a few days back. Harry Sandhu had very good relations with this Mossad operative---who was a key figure in the Israeli intelligence organization.
Narveer decided to act. He went straight to the PMO. He met the cabinet secretary and asked for a special session with the Prime Minister. As soon as PM learnt of this he jumped up and down. A CCPA meeting was emergently convened. At the CCPA it was decided to take immediate steps to provide security to AMEENA KHAN. It was also decided to request her to suspend her “KASHMIR CHALO MARCH” till 30 September 2009. Intelligence agencies were asked to step up vigil on the embassy of the Middle East country and US Embassy too. CCPA left the decision with the PM to declare national EMERGENCY and ban all strikes and agitation.
Two of the most important decisions by the CCPA were to introduce a bill in the next session of Parliament to abrogate Article 370 and set up a committee to recommend how to bring everyone under ONE LAW in the country without affecting religious practices. The PM was asked to address the nation and make these two announcements. At the same time army was asked to be ready to be deployed in strength all over the country, particularly J&K. The PM was to address the nation at 8 A.M. the next morning.
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Every where in the country Citizens were collected around the TV sets to listen to the special address to the nation by the PM. Ameena Khan, too had come out of her hiding on the advice of security agency. People’s mood was jubilant due to the rumored message of the address.
At around 0755, a news anchor of DD News asked listeners to standby for an important announcement. Everyone waited for the PM to appear. But no, the DD News was breaking news. It was flashing, “THIS MORNING MISS AMEENA KHAN, YOUTH LEADER OF INDIA, FELL TO THE BULLETS OF AN UNIDENTIFIED ASSASSAIN. SHE WAS FIRED UPON AT CLOSE RANGE BY SOME MASKED YOUTHS WHEN SHE WAS WATCHING THE TV. THE SECURITY FORCES HAVE SURROUNDED THE AREA --AND THE SSEARCH HAS BEGUN. ALL ESCAPE ROUTES HAVE BEEN SEALED”. Whole nation was stunned. Then began the death dance—because some one had shouted “ISLAM ZINDBAD” while shooting her. There was none in India waiting to listen to the PM. He was a bit late in announcing what he wanted to.
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A coded telegram went from the embassy of the Middle East country. It was intercepted and decoded. It read, “India is in flames. Durga has been done away with”
Major general Narveer had a hearty laugh. He immediately rang up Harry Sandhu his deputy, “Immediately, put AMEENA KHAN on DDTV NEWS before it is late. The nation is going to explode unless we produce the real AMEENA KHAN”. Brigadier HARRY SANDHU rang up DDTV Anchor Mr. PARKASH GOSWAMI and told him to make the announcement of AMEENA KAHN’s safety and that she would be soon appearing on the DDTV news CHANNEL.
Within an hour real Ameena Khan was on the DDTV news and addressing the people, “My dear friend! I am alive. I am OK. We will not allow INDIA to be in Flames. I suspend my agitation for a week. But we will go to KASHMIR on 01 September 2009. There is bigger game being played against India—which only the INDIAN YOUTH CAN COUNTER. God Willing! We shall. Jai INDIA. HAM JITENGE (WE SHALL WIN)”
Is it needed to be said that it had calmed the enraged people? India was getting ready to march into Kashmir---all 115 crores with full vigor to tell the world, “In INDIA ONLY INDIANS LIVE—KASHMIR IS INDIA”