Terrorism and Violence

Mumbai attack shook India once again. In the past it has often been the have nots who are at the receiving end of the scourge of terrorism. Whether it’s the blast in Delhi’s Mehrauli on Sept ’08 or the nine explosions in Bangalore on June ’08 or the eight blasts in Jaipur that left 65 dead in May upper middle class are the least affected ones. However, this time terrorists levelled the rich and the poor. Whether because the battle was taken right into the lives of the rich and powerful or because of the high number of casualties or because it was an attack on India’s symbol of pride and prosperity the assault has elicited mass anger primarily directed towards Pakistan.Public’s memory is short, they say. Time and time again terrorists have taken so many lives. Media reports say, “President condemns; PM announces compensation; Brave citizens move on with their normal lives”. It’s not quite sure whether it’s to make bread and butter they move out or whether to tell the terrorists that guns and bombs cannot win. There was a time when only people from J&K and North East would experience terrorism. And many times for these people it’s difficult to identify who terrorise less : the Indian army or the secessionists. But now situation is different. Nobody is immune from the effect of terrorism. Bombs can explode anywhere anytime. And if our memory is short (as usual!) it may cost much.Whether it’s in Kashmir or the Naxalite hit areas or Nagaland or Manipur or Tripura militancy/terrorism does not begin with religion. The problem is political-economic -social grievances that trigger the problem. The problem then interplay with religion. Religion provides incentive to fight for social and political justice. Religion confers blessings upon those who fight for the rights of the people. Religion promises eternal life to those who die fighting the enemy of truth.