War has suddenly become a frightening possibility in the Indian subcontinent. Far from a mere hypothesis debated as a possibility by talking heads on TV shows, it has now reached the level of "excitement" of a trailer for a Hollywood blockbuster. "Coming soon to the theatre of war near you". What? Annihilation of innocent lives. Destruction of life and property. The answer to electoral woes and a decisive victory over a nagging half-a-century-old problem.

I am not going to examine the rights and wrongs of a war in this article. There are far too many writers who have already gone down that road. I am just going to raise some of my curiosities and concerns.

Firstly, I agree that cross-border terrorism has to be dealt with in a decisive manner that leaves no room for pussy-footing. And I do support any notion that looks for solution to the Kashmir issue in a long term basis rather than mere cosmetics.

But for this to be achieved, I am not quite confident in the present Indian governments’ ability to develop any rational, strategic, comprehensive, coherent policy. There is so much talk about Pakistan’s immaturity in handling nuclear weapons but who can forget those memorable words uttered by Home Minister Advani right after Pokhran. In true Bollywood language he chided Pakistan to "show us the time and place and we’ll show you what we can do" (or some such words). Is this the level of responsible language we can expect from a nuclear powered state?

Then, again, we have the simmering problems of Gujarat. Innocent Indians were allowed to be massacred for the sake of political gain and consolidating a particular vote bank. The fact that a man like Narendra Modi is allowed to continue in office is ample proof that the government has lost all credibility in terms of fairness and responsible governance.

In the eventuality of war, how can Modi ever expect support from the people of his state when his hands are stained with blood? Of course, there are some who will volunteer out of patriotism but isn’t it true that more would volunteer if the call is given from a credible source.

The electoral setbacks that the BJP suffered and the razor thin support it receives in the parliament can be good indicators as to why a war is necessary for them. It will only increase their popularity in any upcoming poll and the frightening possibility is that it will make their hidden agenda a lot more open. Victory in war will help BJP electorally and as a consequence will make their henchmen in VHP and Bajrang Dal a lot stronger. These henchmen will see this electoral strength as a license to unleash more evil against other Indians.

Now some would argue this point by referring to the terrorist attack on the soldiers. But I like to know. Is this the first time that such an attack has taken place? Why has such hysteria been unleashed now?

Besides, Kashmir has already become an international problem and with the nuclear threat looming above us, India will lose that what it has been avoiding – third party mediation. In the likelihood of a nuclear attack, foreign forces are more likely to intervene in seeking a solution to Kashmir and a referendum might be considered. And with resentment against India simmering for the past ten years and the infiltration of Pakistani propaganda in a big way in the past few years, the referendum might see an answer that might not favour India.

Has the government thought through all this?