Saddam Hussein Hanging: The possible repercussions.

Varun Rajagopalan, BANGALORE.

One cannot help but wonder if the CIA (if indeed they are the ones who ‘stage-managed’ Saddam’s trial) thought this through. Did they? Did they really? I am not so sure. Now everybody knows what “this” is. Well, for the sake of mentioning it, “this” is Saddam Hussein’s execution.

Videos are available, protests are underway and media is giving all required attention. In fact, several sects that condemn America’s ‘bullying’ attitude are saluting Saddam. What about us, Indians? I think politically speaking; India is stuck between ‘not openly opposing’ the US; and also not angering groups within the country as well. Apart from a diplomatic “it is unfortunate”, India hasn’t said much. The recent Nuclear bill episode is probably a major cause for this. But leaving political connections aside, how does the common Indian feel about Saddam’s execution?

Saddam never really caused any strife to India ever. In fact, it is known that he used to acknowledge our struggle against Kashmiri militancy, long before it became as big an issue as it is today. He had categorically made statements pertaining to Indians working in Iraq as being hard working and intelligent. Saddam holds an iconic status amongst Muslims in India; mind you it isn’t just about religion. Saddam’s ‘thorn in America’s flesh’ attributes have always won him fans amongst other religions as well. A 15-year-old Hindu girl from West Bengal hanged herself in response to Saddam’s execution. As an Indian, I never felt threatened or feared any assault from Saddam. In fact if anything, I tend to look upon his death with pity and perhaps a certain degree of sorrow as well.

But hold on! Let’s not get carried away. If we look at the issue from a global perspective, Saddam’s history is anything but pleasing. He attempted to assassinate the ruler of Iraq back in 1958; led a coup and took over as the military dictator in 1979; blatantly massacred Shiites and Kurds within Iraq using Chemical weapons in 1987-88 (which, were incidentally, supplied by Ronald Reagan’s administration in the ‘80s); attacked Kuwait in 1990, when Iraq was economically in a mess. Keeping all these in mind, does it really feel too bad that Saddam was executed?

Now that the execution is over, one can’t help but think about its repercussions. There is growing anger within the Muslim world and it is safe to assume that the CIA would be on High Alert. I am sure American Embassies are taking all possible security measures to ensure no mishap occurs. As mentioned at the start of this article, didn’t the CIA really think this through? Just letting Saddam languish in an Iraqi jail would have been enough, wouldn’t it? For me, Saddam was executed the day he was captured. For someone like him, power is life – losing power is akin to death. Had he been allowed to just exist as an unimportant factor, he would have gradually become a part of history books. Years later, our kids would ask about him and we would tell them about this ‘military ruler’ who was captured and put in jail. But now, with his execution, Saddam’s popularity has sky-rocketed. He has become this ‘martyr’ who stood up against the US and ‘paid the price’. He will now be known as a hero who led Iraq in a one-sided war, against an unbeatable opponent. He will become an inspiration for so many causes, some worthy and some scary. Scary specifically for the US, as they are being held directly responsible for this.

Once again, I have to ask, didn’t the CIA think this through? Didn’t they? Well, on second thoughts, maybe they did. Maybe they have it all figured out. And maybe the ace up their sleeve is what they will never openly show.

Maybe things are not as bad. Maybe it is just and will be – life in general. Maybe all of us will just go home and fall asleep. Lets hope a new problem doesn’t raise its head tomorrow.

Lets hope we can. After all, we are Indians. We have no one except ourselves to help us.