Is India a ‘SOFT’ State?

What is a Soft State?

The term ‘soft state’ was first coined by the noted economist Gunnar Myrdal in his book The Asian Drama; an inquiry into poverty of nations. He used the word ‘soft state’ to show the condition of South Asia which failed in effective and efficient implementation of economic policies.

The meaning of soft state is very vast and even includes the failure of the state to fulfil their prescribed duties towards the state and its citizen. Therefore if we sum up, we find that soft state is a nature of state that is unable to protect its citizen’s interest for the first instance, and is unable to perform the basic function of the state at the second instance.

Performing basic function include protecting the state from internal and external aggression, better governance, a strong law and order, strict implementation of laws, spreading awareness among people for following the law, a good redressal policy, quick action for the wrongs, etc. These are some of the basic functions of the state that a state should surely accomplish.

Generosity of India

Whether call it a Gandhian influence or our moral values which we possess within ourselves since a very long period of time that the Indian are very generous. There is a saying about the Indian that, “Indians like their friends and love their enemies”. If we go through the pages the history, the Indians had never initiated a war against any other country, they always fought when others initiated against the country.

The country was invaded by many rulers but never invaded other country. The virtue of generosity and calmness endowed by India, distinct it from all other countries. Other countries mock us for being soft but the country has proved that thought filled with generosity, the Indians are capable of taking action when other tries to overpower it.

They even say that in a country like India, criminals are excused and pardoned which encourage this community to commit more amounts of heinous crimes. This is because no harsh action is taken against such people and in turn any change. India believes in settling the disputes in amicable way rather than adopting a hostile means.

Soft state is a lenient attitude of state what social deviance soft state does not take hard decision even if the situation demands. But, considering India, the country has taken many hard decisions from time to time, according the need of the hour.

The Soft path adopted by India

The Britishers and the other powers were successful in invading India because the state was always welcoming. These foreign powers were capable to rule the country because India at that time was already struggling from a lot of inner conflicts. They were mesmerised by the British lifestyle and their pomp and shows and therefore they whole heartedly welcomed them.

But gradually the Britishers started ruling us. The freedom struggles divided the leaders into two wings, the moderates which followed the path of peace and talks and the extremists who believed actions rather than talks.

The moderates like Mahatma Gandhi, followed a soft path of non-violence, which is criticised by many and is also considered as a sole reason in delay of our victory. This was one instance which tells us about India being a soft state.

We have many instances when India adopted a soft policy towards many critical issues. The major issue that hovers around India is terrorism. Day by day lethal threats are rising, terrorism is growing, but the actions of government were never rigid. We are aware of this fact that India is vulnerable to terror attack.

The nation needs to weed out terrorism from roots. There is a need to revamp the security whether, the air, water or land. India needs to threaten the terrorists and its promoters. The shivers of the attack of 26/11 can still be felt. The culprit of the attack was kept in high security.

The Maharashtra Government had spent Rs. 53.5 Crore on him. The government wanted to expose Pakistan’s indulgence in front of everyone. But the country should have taken a quick action in prosecuting the criminal. This time India was successful in convicting the witness even when Kasab was pretty sure of his escape as the country failed to hang Afzal Guru. It was a victory for India for India but a quick action was expected from government.

The Nirbhaya case displayed the loop holes in the law and order of the country. This case got the public support and therefore we are aware of this brutal happening. Today, there are many such activities taking place at every corner of India, some come into limelight and some remain in papers from where justice is hard to find.

We hear a lot about rape and sexual assault cases but the law is unable to put a barrier for the same. The government should inflict deterrent punishment because in this way only these heinous crimes will stop.

The law in India is very rigid. Even when it is on the face that a certain person is criminal, the law requires a strong evidence to prove the same. The rich escape with the help of highly placed politicians but the poor feel helpless at the same time.

They are kept in the police custody and incarcerated in jails on mere suspicion or at the behest of some powerful person and stay there often for long periods even without proper charges being framed against them, let alone proper prosecution. The irony is that they even spend more time in jails than the quantum of punishment for which they were charged.

We all are aware of the fact that India is one of the richest countries in terms of human resources, but is incompetent to provide an environment for resource and development for rich brains. These best brains are thus outsourced by other developed nations.

The United States of America is the largest outsource of our brains is also the world’s largest economy. The situation would have been different if we had proper laws and proper placements for best brains that we produce.

What are we doing against China, who always supports Pakistan in its evil executions? We are welcoming the cheap Chinese products to our home. Procurement of cheap products from outside means hampering the growth of indigenous industries. The government should take a firm stand against the use of such products.
These are just few amongst many instances where the country had taken a soft stand against most important topics.

Is India really a Soft State? 

No, India is not a soft state, but it is a supporter of peace. The country believes settling disputes on the paper with signature rather painting the soil red. So far India has been labelled as a soft state. Though there are instances where we failed to protect our national interests on several occasions but the situation today is not the same.

As the Prime Minister recently quoted, “Na kheer denge, na dudh denge, Kashmir mangoge toh Pakistan bhi cheen lenge”, this clearly states that India will not remain silent if anyone tries creating any internal or external disturbances.

This is not a new India who will protect its interest from now, but there are some occasions where India proved that it will not keep a finger on its lips.

India never initiated a war but was always ready to counter the war. India has fought five wars, four against Pakistan and one against China. With its strength India won four wars which it fought against Pakistan. The war with China was a failure because of absence of any strategic planning. India will be calm but if someone disturbs it, the country backed with the capabilities to retaliate.

Operation Ginger Sharda sector, across the Neelam river valley in Kel is one of its achievement. This operation was planned in summer of 2011. India and Pakistan staged two of the bloodiest cross border surgical strikes in which at least 13 soldiers where martyred and six of them decapitated.

The Pakistani posts were targeted. This will be counted in the victory list of the country.  Looking around for the recent events, we have the Indian surgical strike and the Air strike on Balakot region. The surgical strike was planned and executed within a period of ten days.

The Indian solders proved themselves as they all returned without any casualty. The Air Strike on Pakistan region was a proof that India is capable of retaliating. It was the second time that our country entered into a foreign territory. There was a situation of tension between two nations and people also encountered heroic actions of the Indian army and the Indian Air Force. The return of Wing Commander Abhinandan added another feather to India.

In recent economic development, India has asked the Swiss Bank to provide information about the Indian accounts. India is amongst 36 other countries that will be getting information about the accounts in the Swiss Bank. This is one the biggest economic development in India. The country will check the accounts of Income tax with the details provided by the Swiss Bank. Therefore, the country is on the path of becoming an economic superpower.

We all know that there are certain problems in every nation. Even if the government tries to overcome, there will be another problem ready for it or the culprit may find another method to commit the previous actions. Tagging India a soft country is not genuine.

Anger is never a solution to any problem but it adds fuel to existing fire. The resources that the country occupies are very precious and therefore should be used judicially. Where pen can work, why to use sword? The tag could have been justified if India would have never retaliated but India has been standing against the problems with all the adequate means and even held guns when needed. Therefore, India is not a soft state but an icon of peace and works on humanitarian reason.