The immediate fallout of the Uri Attack gave rise to a very unique phenomenon in the Indian political spectrum of 2016.
Men and women who have been traditional foes of the Hindu Nationalist party in power at the Center were profusely praising Narendra Modi’s ‘strategic restraint’ and ‘mature approach’ against Pakistan while the Prime Minister’s traditional support base were railing against what they perceived as the Manmohanization of Mr. Modi.
Liberals and seculars heavily complimented Narendra Modi restraining from using military action against Pakistan while Nationalists bared their fangs and attacked the government for exercising UPA’s Pakistan policy of all talks and no action.
However, after the initial few days, there were enough indications in the air for one to be sure that this government shall not adhere to the spineless Pakistan policy of the previous government.
Its relentless pursuit towards diplomatic isolation of the enemy, its review of the Indus Water Treaty, its call for a review of the MFN status to Pakistan, all of this were merely signs of things to come.
The NDA government’s Pakistan policy is radically different from the UPA’s, it does not lack spine and it does not refrain from landing vicious punches.
The Pakistan sympathizers in the Indian media and elsewhere had already begun feeling the heat.
After India had started turning the screws on its enemy, one could already hear shrill cries coming from known quarters.
But the nationalists were not satisfied. They acknowledged the fact that this BJP government was definitely putting Pakistan in some serious jeopardy but they wanted more, a lot more.
The most critical moment preceding all action against Pakistan was perhaps the Prime Minister’s speech in Kozhikode.
The liberals thought Narendra Modi’s speech in Kozhikode meant India would not pursue any military action against Pakistan, their jubilation was for all to see.
Large sections of the Nationalist camp came to the conclusion that Modi’s strong words meant there would be no further consequences for the legions of terrorists that reside in that God forsaken country of theirs.
Who could blame these two sections of the Indian population for reacting the way they did? After all, 10 years of the UPA policy does lull everyone to fall into a pattern.
As I watched Narendra Modi’s speech in Kerala that day, I could not help but feel it was merely a prelude to some severe actions against Pakistan.
There were clearly some extremely loaded remarks. And I remember mentioning it to my friend, things are about to get very interesting here on. Some of these quotes were:
# There is 1 nation in Asia whose aim is this century does not become Asia’s and is associated with terrorism.
# This one country exports terrorism to other countries.
# Wherever terrorism is happening across Asia, the affected nations are blaming only 1 nation.
# Whenever news about terrorism comes, news also comes either the terrorist came from there or like Osama went there after the act.
# Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. We need to join our hands to defeat terrorism.
# Hindustan na kabhi aatankwaad ke saamne jhuka hai, aur na kabhi jhukega
# Our 18 soldiers had to sacrifice their lives because of terrorists exported by our neighbouring country.
# There’s anger in entire country post Uri attack. 18 of our soldiers sacrificed their life after our neighbour exported terrorists there.
# Aatankwaadi kaan kholke sunle, ye desh iss baat ko kabhi bhoolne wala nahin hai.
It came solely from the belief that Narendra Modi was not another Manmohan Singh, this man was built of a complete material.
And surely, the next few days revealed the intensity of India’s diplomatic offensive against Pakistan.
Then came the fateful moments of 29th September, 2016. The Army briefed the nation on the surgical strikes it had conducted against Pakistani terrorists inflicting considerable damage on legions from hell without any loss of life on our side.
The tables had turned completely. Parity had been restored. The minority of people among the nationalists who had never lost faith on the man could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The reversal of scenarios between the initial couple of days after the Uri Attack and present circumstances is quite a sight to behold.
There is a palpable sense of satisfaction and relief on the faces of ‘Bhakts’. There is an intense feeling of celebration in the air that is impossible to suppress or ignore.
As Sagarika Ghose would say, the whole of India feels like one large family. If one pays enough attention, one can clearly hear the faint sound of wails and screams of liberals mourning the death of their child, ‘Strategic Restraint’.
The joy in the country is irrepressible and indescribable.
Liberals and Seculars who were previously ridiculing the 56 inch chest of Narendra Modi, where are your gods now?
The landmark event also marks the decisive turn of tides towards Narendra Modi. People of India stand united behind our leader today and a lot of us feel vindicated today for putting our faith on the man.
Indians are glad that after years and years of suffering terrorism at the hands of Pakistan, their time of reckoning has finally arrived.