The whole world is now aware of the riots that happened in India’s capital New Delhi Last week, thanks to world media and more importantly social media. The ghastly pictures of destruction and the devastation done by the rioting mobs are very scary and heart wrenching. These riots were not something that just erupted impromptu but was a handiwork of careful planning and conspiracy of many weeks and months, executed at a time when world’s most powerful man, the US President was in country. The entire world media was in New Delhi to cover this historic visit and the forces behind these riots chose this time, to grab the attention of word media on the issue of CAA.

These fringe groups have succeeded in their mission to some extent to internationalise India’s internal matter and tarnishing country’s image world over. Even New Zealand’s mainstream media which usually is either ignorant or most times tend to overlook the happenings in the Indian subcontinent, choses to give full coverage to the incidents like riots, that just happened. Strangely enough the news about riots in New Delhi got more prominence over the visit of US President to India, in all New Zealand television news and print media. It was being reported as if something had happened first time in India and the Indian government was behind all the drama. No one seemed to be bothered about 43 innocent lives lost and properties, vehicles and businesses worth billions of rupees got destroyed. Media reporting’s should not be biased, and media should never be judgemental about any incident or event. Media should refrain from any false reporting and must not pass any judgement over any incident. After the centre government took charge of the situation, things appear to be in control now, but the dirty politics of blame game has begun. As expected, all political parties, including those who were busy instigating the rioters now are blaming Modi government for its failure in containing the riots and asking the Home Minister to resign.

Modi government is in middle of a very tricky situation. If they chose to deal with the rioters with a firm hand, the same people will start shouting of hard handling and will play victim card. The gravity of the situation can be understood from the fact that it was unprecedented that India’s National Security adviser Ajit Doval, himself went around in the riot affected areas to get a first-hand stock of the situation and to report his findings to the Home Minister. India’s National Security adviser involving with a riot incident indicates that it is not as simple as it may sound but the roots of these riots are very deep and indicates involvement of various anti national forces behind it. it is the same nexus of forces who constantly keep working against Indian nation.

These forces always keep trying to divide people on lines of caste or religion. Unfortunately, sometimes they succeed in misleading and enticing some people to create the violence. This is what exactly has happened this time also in New Delhi where the agitation against CAA was going on for last three months. Millions of people have been affected with this agitation during this period and the agitators seem to be in no mood to back track on their demand to withdraw the Act. These are testing times for Modi government and the situation they face need to be dealt with carefully keeping in mind of repercussions of its decisions. India is not ready to pay a heavy price for the actions of its government. The situation within the country and across the borders is quite volatile. Confidence building measures are more important at this juncture than aggressive postures. People of the country also need to realise that integrity of the nation and keeping country borders safe is more important than settling of any personal scores and opinion differences. If the nation is safe only then its citizen can be safe.

-Yugal Parashar