I began to write this about three weeks ago. A lot has changed since then. Terror has shaken our relatively sleepy city from its sense of security.  

“And yes, we need peace more because we have a good thing going in India and we have more to lose” says Bhagat and in a way that sums up what he is trying to say – we need peace for ourselves, to hell with ‘them’. Something about the title of the column really irked me. His column is titled the ‘Underage Optimist’. I began to wonder, is he supposed to represent what the youth think? So I write this just to say, I’m young as well and this is what I think.  

The original op-ed can be found here. 

Heres what I would have written:  

The attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 were a stern test to India’s foreign policy and its commitment to peace. The administration had to contend with a rising public demand for retaliatory measures, criticism from all corners of the political arena of how the attacks were handled and the fear of looking weak in its response.  

The administration in its reaction has made an important distinction between the who it is dealing with. By ensuring that they did not sever ties with Pakistan, the Government displayed the sense to say that Pakistan did not solely consist of terrorist groups or even just of those supporting the terrorists. Whether the Government of Pakistan is doing enough to combat these elements is a question which certainly needs to be answered. But it is clear that that is where India’s foreign policy needs to be focused. Our neighbours share common histories with us, have faced common hardships and share common cultures. Why then should we vilify all those across the border and claim that the intent of some is equal to the intent of all?  

The blast in Pune shook me. I have been in Pune for almost five years and have always felt that the city has a distinct small town feel to it. German Bakery is a place I have been to countless times. It wasn’t just that it had good food; there was an atmosphere of freedom which I loved. The fact that such an unimportant place could be a target has really hit home, what could they target next? The threat seems almost too real now. They have struck fear in our hearts, we are afraid, we wonder if our friends are safe, our parents constantly check if we are back home. Something as innocuous as a bag has now become a source of fear, why just a few days ago there were two bomb scares on the same day. How are we supposed to go on from here – as a city, as a country? For now the terrorists have won. 

What worries me is that if we do not choose our response carefully, we will let the terrorists win long term. If our response is to snap ties with Pakistan, or put untenable pre-conditions on talks, how are we ever going to break this cycle? The Pune blast was just a few days ahead of the scheduled foreign secretary level talks between Islamabad and New Delhi. To me, talks present the only way to establishing a long term and sustainable peace.  

Yes, we have a good thing going on in India but is that the only reason we want peace? How can we wish peace just for ourselves, has our indifference overshadowed our humanity? Having seen the carnage that violence creates up-close, I cannot wish such pain and suffering on anyone. So in that sense I love you my Pakistani brothers and sisters. I hope you and your families are not affected by violence.I certainly hope that the violence doesn’t originate from my country.  

And no, I will not sign your petition.