Its been almost a week since a bus carrying Indian paramilitaries were ambushed by a car bomb in Kashmir, killing nearly 50. 'Patriotic' Indians quickly reacted--Bollywood sent Pakistani actors packing, portraits of Pakistani cricketers were covered up or removed and India may end refuse to play Pakistan in the cricket world cup. Obviously, I am disturbed by these events. The few Pakistanis I have met in England were indistinguishable from Indians. This is not a blog post about the politics or the political repercussions of terror attacks, especially so close to a crucial election.
My point of rumination is to what extent can individuals be held responsible for the (alleged) actions of their state. And, can one oppose the ban on Pakistanis while supporting the BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) campaign against Israel as well as the apartheid era boycotts against South Africa. Yes, apartheid was the official policy of the South African state. Similarly, expanding settlements on Palestinian lands is the official (unstated) policy of the Israeli government. And the power differentials between the two sides are apparent.
However, I am not a fan of holding individuals accountable for the actions of their states. There is no state which doesn't have blood on its hands, although its true that some have more than others. But, is it reasonable to expect individuals to pressure their governments on threat of a boycott? Boycotts seem to only strengthen the chauvinists on either side. And, many people just want to get on with their lives. Political activism is not everyone's cup of tea. Does being born in a repressive state oblige a person to take up political activism? Not all personalities are cut out for political activism and I don't believe that there is no other way to make yourself useful to the world and the people around you.
My point of rumination is to what extent can individuals be held responsible for the (alleged) actions of their state. And, can one oppose the ban on Pakistanis while supporting the BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) campaign against Israel as well as the apartheid era boycotts against South Africa. Yes, apartheid was the official policy of the South African state. Similarly, expanding settlements on Palestinian lands is the official (unstated) policy of the Israeli government. And the power differentials between the two sides are apparent.
However, I am not a fan of holding individuals accountable for the actions of their states. There is no state which doesn't have blood on its hands, although its true that some have more than others. But, is it reasonable to expect individuals to pressure their governments on threat of a boycott? Boycotts seem to only strengthen the chauvinists on either side. And, many people just want to get on with their lives. Political activism is not everyone's cup of tea. Does being born in a repressive state oblige a person to take up political activism? Not all personalities are cut out for political activism and I don't believe that there is no other way to make yourself useful to the world and the people around you.
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