Stop it

TWICE in as many weeks, BJP leader and former Union minister Pramod Mahajan had accused the Centre of being insensitive to the North-East. First he made this allegation while addressing media persons in Dimapur in response to a question on the ongoing Naga peace process and he repeated the same in Assam when he was asked about the latest peace proposal of ULFA.

In the BJP, Mr. Mahajan is known as a good orator and a thinking politician. Appreciating his talent, the party had time and again entrusted him with crucial responsibilities such as handling the campaign of last general elections, managing the show in Rajasthan and Maharashtra Assembly polls. His latest responsibility is to guide the party to power in Assam. Many in the BJP believe that given the present political situation in Assam Mr. Mahajan is the best suited person for the job.

Whether Mr. Mahajan can transform the dreams in to reality is altogether a different question. But the path he has adopted is suicidal to say the least. There is nothing wrong in attacking rival political parties, but the language, Mr. Mahajan has chosen to do so, is unfair. Mr. Mahajan, it seems, is not aware about the ground realities and complexities of the North-East.

The situation in North-East is very different from other mainland states. The region is facing chronic unrest for more than five decades now. Violent activities have successfully stalled any meaningful development in the region. People there are more worried about protecting their lives rather than earning their livelihoods. They want to live in peace.

It is because of the people’s desire for peace things have stared looking relatively better in the region. Various peace initiatives are now gaining momentum. Still it is long way to go. Situation is ripe to bring back peace in the region after decades’ of unrest. But the path is full with hurdles. Maturity and patience will hold the key for success. It appears that Mr. Mahajan is neither having the maturity nor the required patience to back the ongoing peace initiatives in the region. Otherwise he wouldn’t have attacked UPA Government at the Centre and the Congress in  such a language. There is nothing wrong in attacking Congress but that should not be done at the cost of the peace process as that will make peace more elusive in the region. We can only hope that in future Mr. Mahajan should restrain himself while making comments on such crucial issues or else someone has to constantly remind him about his lapses.

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