Can Indo-Pak relations be improved through culture and sports?

The dust that emanated from the uproar surrounding the cancellation of the concert by Pak singer Ghulam Ali’s had barely settled down when another controversy emerged. This time it was about blackening of the face of Sudhendra Kulkarni over his hosting of the launch of a book by former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri in Mumbai. Just today there were protests over a proposed cricket series between India and Pakistan. Beyond the highly polarized opinions on the methods applied for protest, it has brought to the forefront the very difficult question that has plagued both India and Pakistan for a long time and has no easy answers. Can cultural exchanges be an effective tool in improving Indo Pak relations?

There is no doubt that both countries will immensely benefit with improvements in relationships. So why not meet as people and partake in each other’s cultures? We begin with our films that are immensely popular in Pakistan and are often circulated illegally, this benefits the movie pirate who probably uses the profits to fund unsavory endeavors. If our films find a regular and official release in Pakistan cinema halls, it will give us a source of revenue, it will serve as a tool to promote our culture and values. If we continue to allow Pakistani channels to be broadcasted in India, the Pakistani entertainment industry will receive a great financial boost. We should continue to invite Pakistani authors and journalists to be part of our lit fests. We should also continue playing cricket and hockey with the Pakistani teams. That will maintain our interaction and facilitate a healthy exchange of ideas. These writers, artists and sports persons who flourish in our country will have an active interest in our well-being. They will compel the powers that be in Pakistan to stop their support of terrorist activities in India and this will be the first step towards peace. Why would we have even a smidgen of doubt that this will be nothing but beneficial for both countries?

But before we declare peace between our nations and begin the festivities, let’s look at Pakistan first. Voltaire is supposed to have once said about the Prussian army, "Whereas some states possess an army, the Prussian army possess a state." This happens to be an apt description of the situation in Pakistan. The current PM of Pakistan despite winning a complete majority has limited authority and he knows that quite well from his experiences during his previous tenure. The Pakistani army and its intelligence wing the ISI possesses most of the power in the country and dictates its defense policy, foreign policy, national security, and nuke policy. Hence they decide the general direction in its attitude towards India. Many in the army and ISI are sympathetic to the cause of terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and the extremist political movement such as the Taliban. These and many other radical elements are used in their proxy war against India. There are rampant violations at the LOC with unprovoked firing and shelling that causes innocent civilians on the border to live in terror and has resulted in the loss of lives of Indian soldiers. There are several instances of Indian soldiers being captured, tortured and mutilated by Pakistan. There is constant support and interaction with the worst elements in Kashmir that spread hate and demand cession from India. Then there are the acts of terrorism that has taken thousands of lives all over the country and have affected the lives of several more, the source of the activities is almost always been Pakistan. Despite our constant urging and dispatching of dossiers laden (no pun intended) with iron clad proof of Pakistan’s active support of terrorism, very little is done. In fact the reaction is that of mockery and scorn as they refute the allegations, allow the perpetrators and masterminds of the attacks to roam freely and spout venomous propaganda against India. Even the all mighty super power of the United State of America was served a dish of great Pakistani deceit as the Pakistanis took billions of dollars from the US to ‘combat terrorism’ and simultaneously helped the Taliban and played host to the worlds most wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden who had plotted the worst terror attack in the history on US soil. It is also important know that most young Pakistanis support their military and also support Sharia Law over democracy.

For decades in India, a whole myriad of musicians, actors, sports commentators and writers from Pakistan have travelled to India and have gained employment, in some cases they have made India their home. But their presence had has very little impact on the direction that Pakistan has taken. In fact, none of them has ever shown any willingness to even criticize their country’s support for violence and destruction in India. How about our current esteemed guest, former politician Khurshid Kasuri who presumably has links with the powers that be. Will his venerable host Sudhendra Kulkarni, compel him to apologize for the justification of Musharraf's Kargil attack on India or get him to condemn the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai the very soil he stand on to launch his book?

If we cannot get even a few polite words of contrition from our Pakistani visitors and friend, how can we expect any concrete action? The definition of insanity, Einstein said is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. We have tried ‘Aman Ki Asha” and have been host to  everybody that includes Nusrat Fatty Ali, Ghulam Ali and Ali Zafar to be part of entertainment industry, but they could change nothing. Do we still keep trying when it is certain that no good can come out of it?

There comes a time when we have to face reality, real improvements in the relations between the two countries can only be brought through diplomacy at the top. When our soldiers are no more brutalized, when our citizens are no longer killed because of terror activities supported by Pakistan, we can allow cultural exchanges. Until such time we will be wasting energy, time and money in a futile exercise and denying a source of income to a deserving Indian artist.