Terrorism in India

[Sandeep]

I. Does terrorism, in fact, even warrant the attention it gets?

It is possible to argue otherwise. According to data published by the Loss Prevention Association, in 2000
80,118 people died in road accidents
5,555 people died because of terrorism (2,063 civilians+837 security force personnel+2,655 terrorists)

Given that an overwhelming majority of these fatalities took place in a single State, Jammu and Kashmir, it is tempting to dismiss terrorism as a peripheral problem and to assert that it simply does not justify the enormous financial, military, economic, intellectual and media resources now committed to the problem.

II. Wrong it does warrant our attention

2 powerful arguments

a) The existence of multiple problems does not justify ignoring one or other.
b) Terrorism, despite its small scale, holds out very real threats to India. It has been ably used by fundamentalists both as a pretext for specific incidents of communal violence and to legitimize their fascist agenda.

The best example is the al-Sabbah's campaign (1092 A.D). Al-Sabbah's fidayeen claimed the life of a single man, the Seljuk Wazir Nizam-ul-Mulk. The state apparatus Nizam-ul-Mulk had built over 30 years disintegrated with his death and the Seljuk Empire never quite recovered its unity. It is precisely this kind of outcome that terror group’s hopes its low-grade attacks against the Indian state will one day bring about.

What is it that terrorists groups actually want?

a) In its own publications, the Lashkar is remarkably clear: the destruction of a state it sees as a predatory Hindu entity, and the creation of a caliphate that would stretch from China to Spain.

b) As the scholar Stephen Cohen has noted, the "goal of the terrorist is to use an extreme act to change the way in which this group [civil society] sees reality".

c) Hassan Ibn al-Sabbah (the brilliant 11th century mystic who founded the fidayeen as a means of resistance against anti-Shia chauvinism) terror was an end, not just a means.

III. Social conditions and crises that have enabled terrorist organizations to recruit cadre.

a) Frustration and anger among young people at the failure of the state, and society to deliver justice against perpetrators of communal violence
b) Anger at the economic marginalization of their community.

IV) Medias influence

a) The conservative view muslims as five-wives fanatics while the liberals generally represents Muslims as victims. Both versions objectify the community and obscure the vibrant political life and contestation within it.

V) Security forces (from police, paramilitary to the security guard at the gate) and Intelligence department

1) They are never given credit for successes against terrorist groups: the many occasions that bombings and assassinations are prevented. Everyday we read about weapons seized, terror plans spoiled but still we see security activities as failure.
2) Successive governments have failed in giving India the police apparatus that modern counter-terrorism work requires. Unlike any other country of significance, India still does not possess a national database on terror groups and suspects accessible to forces across the country. Most police stations don’t even have basic facilities (vehicles, phones)

VI) Issues addressed by a Group of Ministers after the Kargil War.

Their recommendations

a) India would have had a new Police Act by 2003.
b) State police forces would have benefited from improved working conditions and support technologies.
c) Intelligence Bureau would have been freed from the supervisory control of the Ministry of Home Affairs bureaucrats.
d) Its new Multi-Agency Centre would have had newly raised technical staff and sophisticated computer systems similar to those used by Western intelligence organizations.
e) Border fencing

Bar some progress on border fencing the implementation scorecard is zero.

Its easy to play the blame game, buts what’s needed and what is difficult is a practical solution to the problem.

[Chappani]

Terrorism can only be solved with a Socio-Economic solution to the Problem. It cannot be tacked by the Military means OR by just having elections; be it in Jammu and Kashmir, be it in Eeelam.

Terrorism is a result of the deep hurt the people in those section feel, having been marginalised, not treating them on par with the other groups and exploiting their resources. Take an example of a family where the parents treat one child in a good way and another child in a different way, this would result in dissatisfaction and hence lead to spliup in families. Think as a Minority and you can very easily find solutions...

When we talk about people of Jammu and Kashmir/ any other disturbed part, if we think as our fellow citizens who are having some dissatisfaction then it will lead to solutions. Wouldn't we have our Dissatisfied son/ brother move out and lead a happy life elsewhere than lead a troubled life with us. Such bold decisions will have peace and prosperity everywhere.

Any young person would like to lead a happy life, have good job, get settled in life, have family etc.. If such young minds take up Arms knowing very clearly that it would lead them to disaster then there is definetly some grave problem they are facing and needs to be addressed.

One thing is very clear: we cannot forcibly make people to stay together, it should be inborne. And its the responsibility of the caretakers to create a environment where all are treated well, all have equal oppertunities and all have equal say.

[Sundar12345]

May be we must find out the reason for terrorism first.

[Shakthiprabha.]

Just a pondering thought?

Does anyone think SECULARISM is the primary reason for terrorism? (remember we also find terrorism in other countries)

I find foll reasons for terrorism.

1. secularism
2. caste/creed discrimination
3. social status or economic discrimination
4. political issues

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.......

5. FREEDOM.... liberalisation... from unpleasant issues.

[Chappani]

SP, What is Secularism to do with Terrorism???

its only in J&K we have terrorism not in any other part of India - if we have secularism to blame for this...

Just go back to J&K history and see the sequence of events that have unfold. The situation as of 1947, what we promised them, what has actually happened, What is the ground reality there, what our fellow Indian's there think and want....

Just think over, Subhash Chandra Bose who wanted to get freedom to India is a Bharat Ratna for us but British labelled him a terrorist and his outfit the India National Army a terrorist outfit. If we then had the right to ask for Independence from the Greater Britian, then what's wrong with the people of J&K asking from greater India???

Can anyone name a few issues that made us to think we have to be out of British empire and need to have a self rule... Just hear to what people of J&K tell...

[Sundar12345]

I was not asking the reason for terrorism in India I know it is due the INDO-PAK clash the terrorists play a chance in her.
but what about the rest of the world.

[Sandeep]

I was not asking the reason for terrorism in India I know it is due the INDO-PAK clash the terrorists play a chance in her.
but what about the rest of the world.

I believe economic backwardness to be the most common reason.

Ofcource we have doctors, proffesors and other also involved in it, but by and large it seems like economy.

[Sundar12345]

Can you explain in detail?
How terrorism meets their needs?
But all the economically backward people do not take this decision though it is PAK or AFGHAN

[Sandeep]

Can you explain in detail?
How terrorism meets their needs?
But all the economically backward people do not take this decision though it is PAK or AFGHAN

Who said there is no terrorism in PAK and AFGHAN. AFGHANISTAN terrorism has become so widespread that it became a full fleaded war. Afgans fought for years against USSR, then after Taliban came local warloads kept fighting (though taliban crushed them).

Pakistan the govt doesnt have any control in north western province. You must have read about baluchistan details last week, they had to use airforce plains within the country. Think of Indonesia (Largest population of Muslims who also make up the majority). There also there is terrorism.

[Sundar12345]

No what I wanted to say is all the pakistanis and afghans do not become terrorists right.

Pakistan is like the INDIAN parliament fights continue within.