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archive: Rogue is not the right word

Rogue is not the right word

KC Markandan
The Pioneer
July 28, 1999


    Title: Rogue is not the right word
    Author: KC Markandan
    Publication: The Pioneer
    Date: July 28, 1999
    
    Talking to newsmen in Lucknow at the VVIP lounge on June 23, Home
    Minister LK Advani dubbed Pakistan as a "rogue and irresponsible
    State", with too many "power centres". The use of the term "rogue"
    vis-a-vis a "state" is unknown to the English language. One is
    familiar with the use of the term in the context of persons, plants
    and animals and not beyond. A person is called a rouge if he is a
    knave, rascal or a swindler, or playfully "a mischievous child".
    Inferior plants among seedlings are also called rogue, the usage being
    "weed out rogues from the seedlings". The term "rogue" is also used in
    the context of animals, whose behaviour is normally calm, but who have
    turned wild, particularly in the case of elephants and buffaloes.
    
    An elephant living apart from the herd, and developing a savage
    temper, is called a "rogue elephant". In Tamil Nadu, there is a saying
    that if a female elephant turns rogue, the male elephants run in herds
    to hide themselves. The thesaurus uses the term "rogue horse" for an
    inferior variety.
    
    The use of the term "rogue" by Home Minister LK Advani in the context
    of a state was unique. However, he failed to adequately explain why he
    called Pakistan a "rogue state". According to him, there were two
    reasons to call Pakistan a "rogue state". One, Pakistan has made
    cross-border terrorism a matter of governmental policy; and two, its
    army, bureaucracy and government are working without any coordination.
    The reasons advanced are unconvincing though, as the interviewer did
    not choose to seek any clarification.
    
    Intra-State border terrorism is a common phenomenon wherever relations
    between two neighbouring countries are inimical or strained. It is not
    necessary to give examples in this regard. For Pakistan therefore to
    make cross border terrorism a national policy vis-a-vis India, in view
    of the relationship between the two countries, is natural. We cannot
    expect Pakistan to reciprocate any amount of goodwill and trust that
    we may choose to bestow on it and build cordial relationship till
    normalcy is restored between the two countries. On the contrary, such
    gestures would are looked at as an act of cowardice by Pakistan.
    
    The goodwill shown by India towards Pakistan has often been taken as
    an opportunity by that country's leadership to carry out its designs
    that aim to seek a revenge for its 1971 humiliation. As recently as in
    February this year, a goodwill mission to Pakistan was undertaken by
    Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. That country, in response,
    thought it was the right time to march its troops, arms and ammunition
    into the Dras-Kargil-Batalik sector across the Line of Control into
    Indian territory. Is this the way any responsible nation should
    behave?
    
    Whether there exists any coordination or not between the various wings
    of the state machinery within Pakistan, its military leadership seems
    to have achieved its objective. It has also given Pakistan a
    diplomatic victory of sorts. Kashmir has after all acquired an
    international focus. Its much touted diplomatic isolation, on the
    other hand, could be a temporary phenomenon.
    
    Pakistan should be characterised as "a Machiavellian state" and not a
    "rogue state". Mr Advani should perhaps read The Prince. If not the
    entire book, he must read its last chapter. Pakistan has combined the
    qualities of a fox and a lion. Its behavioural pattern is not that of
    a "knave, rascal or a swindler", an "inferior plant among the
    seedlings". Or that of a wild elephant with a savage temper. On the
    contrary, it has emerged as a devious state, one that complies with
    the Machiavellian description.
    
    Mr Advani was perhaps tempted to use the adjective "rogue" in the
    context of Pakistan since his expectations of decency from its leader,
    "Sharif", were belied. for Mr Sharif turned out to be a rogue. Hence
    perhaps the description of Pakistan as a "rogue" state.
    



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