By the time this column gets published, many things would have changed, for good or for bad. That is, in the context of the recent surgical strike of the Indian Air Force. Depending on what course the events take, opinions also may be expressed, not necessarily one-sided. Some may advocate virtues of restraint, while others may want greater offensive. But the point is to understand that India had limited options. The mischief of the terrorist outfits from across the border was getting more and more painful and there is every reason to believe that the military establishment of Pakistan was abetting them. No one is advocating a war, at least on this side of the border. We have all seen the wars India faced and the price we have paid. Wars come at a cost, and a huge cost. So it is always the last option. But there are times when one is left with no choice. The surgical strike was that choice, as the terrorists were getting emboldened with every passing day. It, then, was a timely and fitting action and no questions can be asked. In fact, we may do well to take out a leaf or two from the eternal work of Goswami Tulsidas — the Ramcharitmanas. In the Sundara Kanda of Ramayana, Lord Rama wants the ocean God to give way so that his army can cross. He has been very humbly requesting the ocean God to allow his men to cross without hassle and reach Lanka. But when this request goes unheeded for three days, Lord Rama loses his temper. He asks his younger brother Laxman to get him the bow and arrow. Lord Rama states that some people do not understand the language of humility because they are pig headed. These people only understand one language: The language of force. They would only respect you if they fear you. Saying thus, Lord Rama picked up his bow and prepared to shoot at the ocean. And that brings a trembling ocean God with folded hands, praying to the Lord that he will do whatever Rama desires. The basic premise of Lord Rama is summed up in the next two couplets of Ramayana as paraphrased below. He says that fools do not understand the language of love, nor do the crooked deserve to be loved. The miserly cannot be made broad-minded. The greedy do not listen to the virtues of charity and the short-tempered do not like peace. For such people, these words of wisdom do not work. They need to be shown their place. The same holds good for the terrorists. They will not understand the language of reason. You need to be one degree more unreasonable if you want them to listen. So it was in fitness of things that India used force with precision. It was the best strategy because for such elements, there is a need to instill fear. Further, there is also a need to understand the basic political compulsion of the Pakistani Army for whom India-bating is the only way to rule. And for the Pakistan politician, India bashing is a means to stay in power. Or else there is little reason to beg and borrow to fight a stronger adversary. True, you must avoid wars at all cost and the solution can only come through dialogue. But to bring the unreasonable to the negotiating table, fear is the key.

Pathak is a professor of management, writer, and an acclaimed public speaker. He can be reached at ppathak.ism@gmail.com