Eliminating Terrorism

Every day we experience new dimensions of terrorism. There are serial blasts, suicide attacks, selective killings, mass massacres and explosions in the midst of religious congregations. We have lost some of the finest sons of the soil as a consequence. The only surprise is that quite a few relatives of assassinated are in the company which also includes their tormentors which are the militants. Does this not sound incongruous if not outright irresponsible and cowardly? Nothing that happens in the name of terrorism elsewhere in the country holds novelty for us. This does not mean that we are not concerned. Indeed, we are highly disturbed that last week has ended with serial blasts in two best-known cities, Bangalore and Ahmadabad. One is a global information technology (IT) hub. The other is a major commercial nerve centre. The two State Capitals have been virtually rocked. More than 40 persons have been killed and about 100 injured in these incidents. The agents of terror have moved according to a plan. They have targeted crowded and congested areas during peak evening hour traffic.

An obvious conclusion is that their evil aim is to seriously hit the nation’s economy and rise as an IT power. It is too much of a coincidence that they have invariably focused on those cities that have a prominent role in enhancing India’s global image. How can we ever forget that they had chosen Mumbai for one of their first major synchronized strikes way back in 1993? The number of simultaneous bangs in Mumbai then was 13 which are surpassed by 17 in Ahmadabad in 2008. Jaipur has been the newest addition on their map. How can the terrorist draw comfort by eliminating other innocent citizens? How can they possess weapons and requisite know-how in a short spell of time to carry out blasts in a row?

By no stretch of imagination can barbarity against Sikhs in 1984, Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, and Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley and minorities in the higher reaches of different regions be justified. Likewise there can’t be any logic in perpetuating an-eye-for-an-eye regime. It is the law of the jungle. Certainly there can’t be any sympathy at all for those who join hands with enemies of the nation. What has happened in Bangalore and Ahmadabad is not against a political organization. The Capital of Karnataka has been attacked by terrorists even as the seat of a Congress Government. What we are up against is an aggressive movement to weaken our country. Let there be no doubt about this. Those spearheading it have spared no effort to divide us. They also look for every chance to strengthen the walls that we build between ourselves in the name of region or religion. No wonder the United States which has for long enjoyed first creating trouble and then fishing in the waters of the Jhelum is apprehensive because of the possibility of increasing Taliban influence in the State. What happens on the separatist range is the headache of others. So far as we who pride ourselves on our composite culture and integration with the rest of the Union are concerned we must stay firm and united. Together we will eliminate terrorism no matter how brutal it is.