Its been a couple of days since the Olympic torch made its way through India. No this is not a post about the utter waste of money spent on stationing 12000 odd personnel to protect its 2 km run. This is not a post about the comedy of 70 people passing on the torch to another even before starting their "run". This is not a "Oh no we have let down the Tibetians" post either.
My problem is with the "thugs" that the Indian government allowed to form the inner ring of protection of the flame. I do agree that it is customary to allow the guest country to review and provide security for their leaders when touring other countries. But the key phrase here is "their leaders".
The Olymipic torch is not the property of China Its a symbol of a world event in which India is an equal participant - as the 70 odd celebrities who participated in the event, have been at pains to explain.
Which bring us to the question - why do we need the Chinese to protect our torch in our capital of our country. That after having deployed more troops than we do for our own republic day celebrations.
If we are not confident of protecting a mere torch in our capital inspite of deploying 12000 odd troops, then what guarantee do we provide to our citizens who live in far flung remote areas. Or is the lack of confidence in standing up to China (and for that matter anybody else) and telling them where exactly the buck stops.
I know that the true reason is the second. Which is why the Chinese have the gall to expect us to let them fly their choppers over our land for surveillance.
Which is why Mr.Suresh Kalmadi should not be gloating over the fact that the "run" went off without a hitch. Its the Chinese who should be gloating.
Shame shame.
