Terrorism- Code decoded

Dear Readers,

I am trying to simplify and make a coherent understanding of Terrorism. I wanted to know what guides them, motivates them, pushes them so much that they become vehement killers. I wanted to understand the psyche and morale of these human killers in the disguise of human.

Rebels, insurgents, paramilitaries, separatists, militants, guerrillas, insurrectionists, fundamentalists... are these all terrorists? Or does terrorism claim its own exclusive niche? The exasperating inability to define terrorism is betrayed in the UN 2006 Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy - "we, the States Members of the United Nations...strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes".

The vocabulary of terrorism has become the successor to that of anarchy and communism as the catch-all label of opprobrium, exploited accordingly by media and politicians.

The difficulty in constructing a definition which eliminates any just cause for terrorism is that history provides too many examples of organization and their leaders branded as terrorists . This has applied particularly to national liberation movements fighting colonial or oppressive regimes, engaging in violence within their own countries often as a last resort.

Bomb attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 followed by the 9/11 tragedy in 2001 marked the renationalisation of terror in which a populist and possibly negotiable cause within the nation state becomes subservient to principled grievances against the world order, communicated through the tools of globalization led by the internet. Both attacks in Africa were traced to the group headed by Osama bin Laden known as al-Qaeda. Its ideology is shaped by the belief that Islam is being degraded and humiliated by "western" values, with particular disgust reserved for those Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which are close allies of the US. The plight of the Palestinians is a rallying call for al-Qaeda whose central goal is to expel Americans from Muslim lands and dismantle pro-US Middle Eastern governments. To this end all US citizens and their sympathizers are to be killed, regardless of whether or not they are Muslim.

This extreme form of fundamentalist Sunni Islam adopted by bin Laden and his closest associates is often described as jihadism and is believed to have been inspired by an Egyptian radical, Sayyid Qutb, who opposed the Nasser regime. Fighting alongside the conservative Taliban in Afghanistan may have been a further influence on bin Laden. The manic ideology of al-Qaeda has no roots in mainstream Islam which shares core values of peace and tolerance with the world's major religions. The Koran teaches that the killing of innocent humans is a crime and that suicide is unacceptable.

Attempts have been made to construct psychological profiles with proven susceptibility to indoctrination. In Islamic countries such interest focuses on the sense of political impotence created by inadequate democracy and corrupt governance. In Europe, there are suggestions that young Muslims from immigrant families suffer identity problems in reconciling differences between western lifestyles and their upbringing. As yet these theories remain in the realms of speculation. Likewise, media tendencies to brand Pakistan as a source of world terror have been countered by a remarkable petition “Say no to Terrorism” which has been signed by over 60 million people in the country, more than the number of voters in the recent election.

slumdog millionnaire - trivial insecurity

Well, you know ART has to be liberated and that’s what is the film makers prerogative to show as what he wants and its our prerogative to watch or not to watch/ appreciate what we want to see. 

I completely agree slumdog has shown India on poor light wherein every nation has the dark under the light but again, slum dog is not unreal too. These thing existed and we wanted to NOT to show it or to sweep it under the carpet through our bollywood cinema . Bollywood cinema is now about Indians who stay in new York and share an apartment with girls or may be Indian couple staying in LA and having extra marital affair and we think inwardly “ what great culture” we are portraying. Why people don’t object to cinema like                                                     dostana or kabhi khushi etc? 

The point is , I am also having the pinch in my heart for showing the gross side of slums in India , but , I am sure the world knows much more about India then we think they know. The world knows about Lakshmi Mittal , Ambanis , our growing economic power, n-deal , our millions on Software Engineers across world and Taj Mahal ? 

So,  whats the big deal if Danny Boyle wanted to show the poorer side of India? Let the artist have his freedom , I would say. Or may be we would not have commented if Karan Johar or Shyam Benegal had won the same awards for the same movie. Are we not getting little bitter because a foreign film maker made it and not an Indian? 

Why don’t you protest when Adiga won Booker award ? The white tiger equally talks about slums and poverty of India. No but we appreciate it as pure form of good literature. The same way, we can appreciate this movie too !

Then, we should not forget VS Naipol,  Arundhati Roy and Jhumpa Lahiri  who showed the bright side of our country and won booker award. 

Basically , the  audience are the same. They are intelligent. So lets not be insecure that someone is going to think of us as slums. Anyone and everyone knows the grandeur of India a lot to isolate our country as a dark country full of slums. 

I have faith in the audience. Are you thoughts with me?

The darkness under the light.

Dear Reader,
Is been almost 2 months now from the day of attack which shook our country and our sense of security. 2 Blasts followed in Assam and which was given quarter Page media coverage for just a day.

I called up few people I know in Assam and asked how are they doing? Is there is actions from Government? Frankly they seem to answer in vague " arre.. yeh sab chalta rehega, kya karega Govt ? zinda hai, bahot hai ..blasts to aksar ho rehe hai .....".

I was pondering and disappointed. Is this how a citizen should behave? Why they sounded so resigned and given to what was happening around? Why was such hopeless helpless pessimistic outlook towards state govt?

I also wondered , what is the terrorists getting out of the whole thing? Their basic weapon to "terrorise" people is no longer working in Assam as people are not terrified anymore. Not that they are brave and preparing for retaliation, but then continuous attacks have kind of vaccinated them of terrorism. So none raises an eyebrow while blasts happen. People have resigned to accept that they have no security , no system to rely on. Hopeless system!

This system is not just the govt but also all those people who have decided to shut blind eye and let them suffer to the fate. This situation is dark and doomed. In one hand it will mean terrorists know Assam people wont react and on the other hand Govt will not be taking any visible strong action. The situation will remain as is for time to come. Who can you blame with pointed finger when the whole lot is to blame, some circumstantial and some objective figures to take up the blame.

"India shining " - And just under the light there is so much darkness that one cant even see where the country is heading to.

And this shine has blinded our Govt and think tanks that they are not bothered about the darkness and the evil forces lurking in the corner. Ready to strike once again, we ready to die once again..... !
( I know all these sounds pessimistic but I think we lost that spark which ignited just after 26/11. Media isn't covering it anymore, the news has become stale and just another historical event. People don't discuss as this has been debated enough. And here I am , still my heart goes out to the 200 odd families who lost someone in the Taj/Trident/CST , for them the loss cannot be repaired. They had hope of justice, which alas , due to the "Shining Indian Govt" looks bleak.

Lets open our eyes to our blindness . Lets not give up.

Are you there with me? Help me to keep this awareness alive in our heart.

2009 starts with a bang !

Here's wishing my dear reader a very peaceful 2009.
I would have wished you happiness, money, success but I feel peace can supersede all other intrinsic feeling now more than any flow of mind.

How nice would it be to wake up, sip coffee and read headlines " Terrorism finally eradicated from world- all nations stands united ." ---- A very wishful thinking indeed. isn't it?

No, 2009 started with 5 serial blasts in my birth state dear Assam killing 5 people and leaving 22 odd injured. What a super way to start new year ! I couldn't believe they have again maintained their stance in terrorism and they are doing their destructive tasks as any old long timer enemy would do as they have understood the fallacy of the system and they give a damn to it !

Yes, for north eastern people it has become a part and parcel of life.. u never know if u would return home safe and sound and in a whole body with limbs intact. They have long forsaken the system and lost hope that anyone would do anything about it.

And who knows better than a north eastern ?

I would sincerely pray that the Govt would soon wake up, stir from the doomed sleep and do something. what more is needed? Do they need the terrorism to be successful and have more people killed? the beginning of the new year isn't good at all. I also feel the NSG should have a very strong base camp in Assam as not only the state is disturbed but also serves as a gateway of anti social elements to enter India through the weakly protected borders.

The upcoming election is an important one. If you are reading my blog and realise even 1 % of my intention to pen down these, please vote for the right party. This time dont shrug off from your duty.

My resolution for new year: Be a more responsible and alert citizen. Not to take India for granted. And not to let terrorism take India for granted.

Are you there with me in my thoughts?

WAR - should we not consider more options?

Can someone explain me whats surgical strike and how it iis not tantamount to war?
Is India taking into account the economic backdrop before considering any strike?
Do all Indian consider war as the only option?

The economy is weak now and war will mean pumping in more and more money in defense which may not be such a strong idea now. War will eventually mean virtually closing down the area free movement and moving into high alert restricted movement for common citizens. The worst sufferer will be again the commoners. The salaried and daily-wage class.

The recent media posts a grim picture of Pakistan showing no move from the denial mode and so much so that they are actually ready for war. The Taliban threatens to join with Suicide Bomber against India. We have seen how educated guys can create havoc if they want to do a 26/11 incident. How can one defend against such fearless terror who is ready to die to hit a strike on India? Are these suicide bombers not as trained as army? They are ! And whats more , they are willing to die for "jihad".

Pakistan retaliated " its time for real Jihad". To kill and die destroying India ! Of course the Jaishe-e mohammad and Al Qaida will join the forces in Pak in open now. There will be no need for anyone top prove that Pakistan has sheltered terrorists and they are second line Pak forces against India. Pakistan will never join hands with India to eliminate terrorism because they needs these demons inside them to fire the desire to kill India. The hatred towards India and Indian is far more strong for them then to eradicate the terror groups. They need these forces to be the terror country in the world. I personally do not think they will ever solemn pledge against terrorism as they are the Home Nation of Human destructing Terrorists.

My comments are strong now. As a common Indian, I do not wish a magnifying version of 26/11. A full war against Pakistan will mean million times the more destruction than all the terror attacks till now. All of them had been done in camouflage under the cover with Pak allies, now with a war , Pakistan will resort to the most destructive means and it will result into India suffering to a great extent.

I have no doubt in Indian Army/ Navy/Air forces. They are there to protect us.And I am sure if there is a war , they will win. We are also not afraid to face war. But we wont be able to guarantee our own kin's life in this war. The whole state of emergency in the country is not welcome right now.

But Indians also can pertain only a limit of resistance. How much denial one can take?

My mind is in deep turmoil now.......

I sincerely hope more sense prevails in mind of Pakistani leaders. Both the countries have much to lose from the war. I do not think the poor , daily wage earners, the poverty stricken population would be able to bear the brunt of war.

CAN THERE BE ANY SOLUTION TO THIS? OR , THERE IS NO END TO THIS WAR?

Here is the list of blasts happening in India since 2002 to 2008, have we learnt anything?

More than 600 people have been killed and hundreds maimed and devastated in terror strikes in India in the last six years. Following is a chronology of the major terrorist attacks in the country:

Mumbai, Nov 26, 2008: Several killed and many more injured in seven terror attacks targetting mostly foreigners' hangout places.

Assam, Oct 30, 2008: At least 45 killed (figure can change) and over 100 injured in 18 terror bombings across Assam.

Imphal, Oct 21, 2008: 17 killed in a powerful blast near Manipur Police Commando complex.

Kanpur, Oct 14, 2008: Eight people injured after bomb planted on a rented bicycle went off Colonelganj market.

Malegaon, Maharashtra, Sep 29, 2008: Five people died after a bomb kept in a motorbike went off in a crowded market.

Modasa, Gujarat, Sep 29 2008: One killed and several injured after a low-intensity bomb kept on a motorcycle went off near a mosque.

New Delhi, Sep 27, 2008: Three people killed after a crude bomb was thrown in a busy market in Mehrauli.

New Delhi, Sep 13, 2008: 26 people killed in six blasts across the city.

Ahmedabad, July 26, 2008: 57 people killed after 20-odd synchronised bombs went off within less than two hours.

Bangalore, July 25, 2008: One person killed in a low-intensity bomb explosion.

Jaipur, May 13, 2008: 68 people killed in serial bombings.

Hyderabad, Aug 25, 2007: 42 people killed in two blasts, at a popular eatery and a public park.

Samjhauta Express, Feb 19, 2007: 66 people killed after two firebombs went off on the India-Pakistan friendship train.

Malegaon, Maharashtra, Sep 8, 2006: 40 people killed in two blasts.

Mumbai, July 11, 2006: 209 people killed in seven blasts on suburban trains and stations.

Varanasi, March 7, 2006: 21 people killed in three blasts including one at a temple and another at a railway station.

New Delhi, Oct 29, 2005: 61 people killed in three blasts on the eve of Diwali.

Mumbai, Aug 25, 2003: 46 people killed in two blasts including one near the Gateway of India.

Gandhinagar, Sep 24, 2002: 34 people killed in the attack on the Akshardham temple.

My question is HAVE WE LEARNT ANYTHING? OR WE HAVE BECOME IMMUNE TO BEING SHOT DEAD ? DOESNT MATTER RIGHT?

THE DANCE OF DEATH IS HAVING THE LAST LAUGH IN THE DOOM OF THIS ERA.

Are you there with me ?: No End to this War

Are you there with me ?: No End to this War