Most Indians believe that any debate on the Kargil war is unpatriotic or simply anti-national. Most Pakistanis believe that their prime minister is fighting a brave war, not only against India but also against the rest of the world. Both sides want to teach the other side "a lesson". Jingoism is lucrative. Patriotism, like the World Cup, is sold through cable.
What is lost is reasoned debate, criticism of what brought the two nations here, the role of the armies, innocent lives, and most importantly, how do we prevent South Asia from careening to the brink like this again. In Pakistan, they will not discuss the misplaced military derring-do which ignited this little war. And in India, they will not talk of the Kashmir problem, which provided the larger backdrop to the entire crisis.
This is nationalism with blinkers, a fever that blinds you to the injustices of the past, and the failures of the present. It is the last refuge of those that have failed in every way to command the respect and support of the people of their own countries. Vulgar propaganda to whip up passions so that local lapses are lost. This must be exposed because it involves the lives of hundreds of soldiers and thousands of civilians on both sides.
When the momentum of war unsheathes the big guns, and boys start coming home in coffins, talk of reconciliation is branded treachery. If you are not with us, you are against us. Us and them. Denounce jingoism in New Delhi or Islamabad today and in all likelihood, they will pounce and pronounce you anti-national. "Not jingoism," they will say, "this has united the country. Our people are one again, why are you against that?" True, but is getting all worked up to demonise the brother as the enemy the only way to national unity?