"Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay: Attracting the South Asian Community: A Charm Offensive"
In the mid-1990s, South Asia was a region fraught with political instability and tension. Amidst this charged atmosphere, a significant event occurred that left a lasting impact: the publication of a poem by the late Pakistani poet Fahmida Riaz titled "Tum bilkul hum jaise nikle" (You turned out to be just like us).
Fahmida Riaz, known for her bold, progressive, and politically conscious poetry, wrote this poem in 1996. The poem, which was a reflection on shared human or political failings, was possibly a commentary on themes of hypocrisy or disappointment in leadership or society.
The poem was penned after a conversation with Indian friends in Canada about the increasingly communal milieu in India. However, specific details about Riaz's reaction to the political situation in India at that time are not readily available in the search results.
Riaz, who lived in exile in India during General Zia-ul Haq's tenure in the 1980s, was a vocal critic of social and political injustices in South Asia. Her poetry often addressed issues relating to India and Pakistan, making "Tum bilkul hum jaise nikle" a significant piece in understanding her perspective on the region's political climate during that time.
Meanwhile, in India, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the Lok Sabha in the summer of 1996, marking a shift in the country's political landscape. However, this change in government did not lead to a significant improvement in India-Pakistan relations, with hostility between the two nations remaining a constant.
In the same year, during a bilateral summit meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, cooks were flown in from Lahore, indicating a desire for diplomatic engagement despite the political tension. Yet, the government's approach to foreign policy has been criticised for leading to India's isolation in South Asia.
As we fast-forward to the present day, the political climate in South Asia remains complex. Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra faced backlash for inviting his Pakistani rival, Arshad Nadeem, while Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh faced hostile vilification over the film Sardaar Ji 3.
The BJP's electoral consolidation continues, primarily through advocating Hindu majoritarian politics. This approach has been criticised for contributing to India's isolation in the region.
In such a context, it is crucial for the Indian government to prioritise making friends in South Asia, fostering peace and cooperation rather than enmity. A more inclusive and diplomatic approach could pave the way for a more harmonious and prosperous South Asia.
The poem "Tum bilkul hum jaise nikle" by Fahmida Riaz, penned in 1996, offers insights into the poet's perspective on shared political failings in South Asia, given her vocal criticism of social and political injustices in the region. As the BJP consolidated power in India through advocating Hindu majoritarian politics, fostering relationships and promoting peace and cooperation could be a key to a more harmonious and prosperous South Asia, mitigating the risks of isolation.
