Crossing the Rubicon

Achin Vanaik ON May 11 , 1998, India crossed the nuclear Rubicon embarking on a journey that can only bring more insecurity, tension, maldevelopment even as it represents another crucial phase in the ongoing efforts of the Sangh combine to totally transform the character of Indian society and to impose its version of what constitutes the Indian nation and nationalism. What is at stake for them is not simply getting institutionalised their version of the cultural essence of India but of imposing their versions of what constitutes Indian greatness, national security, national interests, etc. Overnight, a ruthless political force of great evil and determination has, changed completely the parameters of debate and struggle on so vital an issue as nuclear security and insecurity, as well as on related concerns such as India's relationship to its neighbours and to the world, The horror and strategic stupidity, the political danger of allowing the Sangh to get away with what it has done will hopefully sink in amongst an ever widening public. For only then can we hope to successfully reverse the journey directions, internal and external, on which the country is now embarked.