Bhupendra Gandhi is right to ask if President Obama should have apologized for dropping Atom bombs on two cities of Japan. Normally he should have apologised. But is pointing finger at Japan for inviting ire of America by sudden, surprising and crippling attack. This may be accepted in view of current history. But in the past, western countries have committed atrocious crimes but have not apologized till now.
Notable actions are Jalinwalla baug massacre, robbing of silver from Latin America, forcibly occupying lands of Red Indians, Aborigines and Maories, enslaving Africans and selling them to settlers in North America etc. All these crimes are excused because the west wielded power. Todays historians excuse these actions by considering them as part of history, and perpetrators as mere pawns. Therefore no apology is expected.
It is ironical l that while these super powers do not apologize, they do not hesitate to retaliate when they are hurt. Another notable trait is selling arms to foment war yet professing to generate peace among clients. The only alternative to apology is to inculcate spirit of neighborliness, humanism, friendship and global brotherhood. Greed must be replaced with sharing spirit.
Ramesh Jhalla
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