Mirages of Democracy
4 weeks ago
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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.
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The ‘Word Web’ dictionary describes Terrorism as the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
ReplyDeleteAnother ‘term’ that is making its round these days is Moral Policing- people who are not basically law keepers but would very much fit the definition of Terrorist. They try to maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol. They are sort of concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behaviour and character based on principles they think right.
As an Indian we boast of ourselves as being the largest democracy but the ugly head of authoritarianism is seen in dastardly acts of “Moral Policing”. Says Ritesh Srivastava Zee reporter “What was more dastardly was the way that the so-called ‘Moral Police’ singled out the female clients in the in the Mangalore pub and dealt with them in the same manner as the white coloniser would have done with a marginalised slave, inflicting physical pain and mental torture on the victim. The shameful act not only casts bad light on the nation, it also brings the issue of moral policing to the fore once again”.
The fanatics, who perpetuate these events, present themselves rather as guardians protecting societal values, religious sentiments and cultural heritage. Wait another 6 days and we would see these people rampage the university campuses because it Valentine.
So as an University based movement I was just wondering how we would guide students in the campus on the these issues. Would we also have some morals policed down? How would we offer relationships tips for them. Might be some discussion in our Bible study groups?
The recent terror attacks in Mumbai has provoked more anger than ever before on the Indian mindset. On patriotic grounds people are even lavishing thoughts of war against anyone who destroys India. Yet this is not the first ever attack on India, we have witnessed many terror attacks in the recent past in Delhi, Jaipur, Gujarat and Bangalore. The poor and the common man have suffered all these times. But the Mumbai attack may be the first terror attack of this magnanimity where the rich and elite were the main affected.
ReplyDeleteWe are quick to react and condemn ‘other’ factors which threaten our Secularism when we remain blind to the dividing factors within ourselves. We are divided on religion, caste and gender. We are multicultural, multilingual and multi-religious and this is the unique beauty of India. Our National Anthem celebrates this beauty in diversity. But aren’t we dividing our country in terms of religion and fanaticism.
The Babri Masjid demolition is a clear indication of the intolerance of our Hindu friends against Muslim brethren. The Violence against Muslims in Gujarat has witnessed the heinous crime against humanity. Young women were raped, pregnant women ripped open and their houses set ablaze. Are we still secular when we cannot love our brothers and sisters just because they follow another religion other than what we follow?
The recent riots in Kandhamal in Orissa saw the entire Christian community being scattered and wiped out. Yet again we witnessed violent attacks and killings lashed out on the tribals in the name of religion. The violence was extended even to Karnataka and Kerala, yet seldom gained much media attention. Nor did we hear many patriotic voices raised for these less privileged poor tribals. How secure is India for the minorities and the less privileged? When will we learn to live in harmony as Indians before we point our fingers to our neighbors? Let the liberty to choose my religion, and the freedom to select my place of stay be not dictated.
Let us war against hatred and intolerance within ourselves, we need to learn to love respect and accept others. “Let us first take the log in our eye, before we take the speck out of others eye”
May we not wait for another tragedy, rather shall we learn the lesson ‘unity is strength’ or else ‘divided we fall’.
Mini Joseph,
I wish these people would moral police those who do needs on the wall even in front of people instead of moral policing lovers.
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