If a Muslim can head Indias Intelligence Bureau, can a Hindu ever be DG ISI?
Salman Khurshid, Altamas Kabir,
Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi,
Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Syed Asif
Ibrahim.
The Khan brothers, Imran Hashmi, Saif
Ali Khan, the Pathan brothers, Sania
Mirza.
(The roll call continues
)
Though the names on the second line may
perhaps be more familiar, the names that
shine bright on the first line are of keener
interest. Unlike in Pakistan, some of
Indias highest political perches are
occupied by Muslims.
Yes, the God-fearing Musalmans .
Take Salman Khurshid , for instance. He
was recently appointed to serve as
Foreign Minister of India, a position
which likens him to the soon-to-be
Secretary of State, John Kerry, and on our
end, Hina Rabbani Khar. In the case of
Pakistan, it is a position that has
historically been occupied by a Muslim.
Altamas Kabir holds the mantle of being
the highest judicial authority in India. As
Chief Justice of the Indian Supreme Court ,
he is endowed with supreme power.
Though a reticent figure, he is said to be
prudential in his rulings and as the newly
appointed Justice, he is sure to take hold
of Indias judiciary by virtue of
constitutionally astute and righteous
decision making.
Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi is the Chief
Election Commissioner of India, and is
tasked with one of the most pressing of
assignments: holding free and fair
elections. It may seem to be the case that
the task is of little merit, but Pakistanis
have had their share of rigged elections ,
and understand the need for partiality. In
fact, the Supreme Courts ruling on the
1990 election should have been an
awakening to strengthen and reform
electioneering laws, and with the help of
the CEC, Pakistan can be put on sound
footing when it comes to elections that
are free of impartial intrusion.
Hamid Ansari is the Vice President of
India, and is the only person to have
served two consecutive terms in the office
he currently presides over. Therefore, it
shouldnt be judged that Indias
appointments are mere placeholders;
rather one should acknowledge the
genuine political participation of Muslims.
Lastly but perhaps most importantly
India recently tapped Asif Ibrahim to be
the director of Indias Intelligence Bureau.
In the Indian press, he is described as an
able successor, and a champion of
national security. Given that the
Intelligence Bureau seems to be
perpetually interlinked with the ISI for
reasons pernicious and well-documented,
this is soon to be a household name, if it
isnt already.
What Pakistanis across all stripes need to
reflect on is that India as a government
institution is becoming increasingly
tolerant of religious minorities , and its
time we do the same.
At present, to suggest the appoint of a
Hindu to the post of director general of
the ISI would surely be met with derision
and scorn. Such is the case because were
seemingly bred in a political environment
that looks upon religious minorities as
inferior.
This year Foreign Policy Magazine , the
flagship publication in international
politics, ranked the mending of Indo-Pak
relations as one of the top 10 stories of
the year. Both New Delhi and Islamabad
have taken genuine steps towards
reconciliation.
Sure, easing visa-restrictions and getting
rid of the positive list of goods that may
be imported from India is a needed step in
the campaign for Aman Ki Asha, but it will
only be through establishing trust with
the residing populace that Pakistan will
manage to progress towards
understanding.
To restore confidence in minorities of
their safety and their belonging, the least
the government of Pakistan can do is to
appoint on merit, of course members
of religious minorities to offices where
they most belong.
This is one step that doesnt require the
approval of India. It is an initiative that
can be taken on our own will, with our
own conscience.
Imagine a Hindu DG ISI.
Imagine an Ahmadi prime minister.
Imagine a Sikh foreign minister.
Imagine.
The ball is in our court, and it will stay
here for the time being. It is time we
execute.
