Terrorism - An Article

Terrorism has emerged as the new face of unrest across the world, and as a hydra - headed monstrosity of multiple crude facets of social, economic, political and I daresay spiritual objectives, but what shines through is the sheer desparation and violence, that strikes and shocks at myriad levels of conciousness and conscience. The light of knowledge and hope has lost its way and multiple reflections on these cuts and cults of a fractured society, much like in a diamond of a million faces, have weakened its power to awaken and inspire. And although it arises from a frozen mindset, a perception of segregation and persecution and ghettoisation of the mind and spirit by the narrow domestic walls created by the indoctrination of hate, it seems to have no borders and transcends communties, nations and streams of thought. Perhaps, such an interpretation of these condemnable acts glorifies them too much for all they are worth, and overlooks its economic, social, poltical aspects, such as trafficking-of both the human and drug kind, the illegal global trade of arms and ammunition by certain rogue states among other things. But, such an outright oversight of terrorism as only a law and order and religious issue, is disastrous as it is albeit a consequence of the polity and economy of the world. Another popular misconception is to associate terrorism with only a certain religion - although one must agree that semitic religions are more vulnerable to such interpretations of their theology, all kinds faith are susceptible, ample proof being the rise of Sikh terror and separatism (at a time the world had not coined this hated word) and the alleged Hindu hand in the Malegaon blasts. Religion, as rightly said by a certain thinker of the hated kind, in this largely capitalist world, is the opium of the masses, and therefore we must not fall prey to those who think the Right is right and the Left, is well, left behind! Speaking of opium, it is interesting to note that the terrorists in the recent Mumbai strike were heavily drugged, and that two of them were youth of Pakistani origin from London, England shows how they may have committed these dastardly acts only due to lure of drugs- and indication that terrorism is the iron fist of many masters and society the suffering slave. The connection to alleged underworld don, Mr. Dawood Ibrahim, shows that there is a nexus between these two networks of crime. It reminds one of the Opium Wars, where the British forced Indians to grow opium and used it to deprive China of an entire generation of youth, by making them addicts - thus fooling all the people, though for only some time. Indeed the story of how opium has influenced the world as it is deserves some attention, artistic appreciation, acknowledgement and research. But, that is the spice for another pot-boiler (excuse the dark pun) of an essay. The issue of terrorism is a complex, one in which cause and effect often lose their chronology and the perpretators own up, yet remain far away. The role of neo-colonialism and neo-imperialism unleashed by the International Policeman - Uncle Sam (on the call of duty as a superpower in a unipolar but yet multifaceted world) is undoubted. The open support of the United States of America and the Western world, in general, to the Jews in Israel is perhaps the root cause, though largely symbolic for many. Many sides are at fault in the historic home of three major faiths, taking sides reeks of ulterior motives. Similar targetting of Iraq and Afghanistan, in the name of fighting terrorism is also ridiculous, even more so when evidence of weapons of mass destruction is not at all forthcoming. Meanwhile, little has been done to destroy the structure and training centres of these terrorist organisations, even after almost a decade of bloodshed - and although numbers are no consolation to the common terror victim, neither are these meant to be, perhaps more civilians and military officials have been exterminated by the Western nations than every terrorist act ever. This high-handedness exudes a feeling of arrogance, almost a racial superiority, for racism is social capitalism, that one life of a Westerner is worth hundreds of us third world people. In that respect, I must say that even the so-called educated Westerners are a prey to perceptions of enemies, thought-processes and safety. But knowing the sensitive nature of these countries ( including Syria - next on the United States of America hitlist) and their strategic location in the world, from many points of view, including military, political and ecomony-related standpoints, the intentions of these protectors stand suspect. Oil is an important issue, so are minerals, which is why a debt-ridden, corrupt and a failed state like Pakistan, will be assisted even in these times of global recession - it is the shortest, somewhat stable link between resource rich Central Asia and a resource hungry China. The world is unequal in resources, and it is a bittersweet irony that the resource-rich parts of the world do not consume them and those without them are engaged in a scramble for them (with certain exceptions). Sweet because it is their only key for survival, and bitter since it just makes them more lucrative and vulnerable for exploitation of the worst kind - colonialism and imperialism. Ample evidence is Africa, not the dark continent of the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century, but the darker continent of the twenty first. It is well known that the money given by the Westerners for resources from Africa, gets diverted to armed struggles, but at the same time such armed militias are criticised in the harshest terms in the air-conditioned halls on the United Nations. The prosperity of the West is essentially a harvest of blood. So one must focus on the economic and political segregation which gives rise to terrorism. Another profound, yet outwardly subtle fact is that certain forms of governance, societal structure and ways of living have been cannonized to be the better ones. Democracy has become a tool to taunt other systems. Democracy can never exist in a theocratic state - for it places the highest moral authority on the people and not on God (or theology). Christianity has evolved itself to adapt to democracies around the world but in the process lost various aspects, but one must not forget the Dark Ages in Europe - when the church and state were interchangeable and powerful entities. Even non-semitic religions like Hinduism are susceptible to feudal systems and social segregation. One may ask why communism, which does not believe in a state subscribing to any faith, does not go hand in hand with democracy. One answer is the one given by the communists themselves, which is quite convincing in its own right - that although states become communist, people in them still remain the grip of religion and theological indoctrination - and to protect the state from becoming prey to religious leaders elected by people. The answer I am convinced by to a greater extent is that communism is against the order of nature - equality and altruism is simply against scientific principles of evoultion- it that sense it is saddening that a perfectly egalitarian society is impossible and communism is thus a God that failed(quoting Spender). Which brings me to the Indian context. Though a majority of Indian pride their religion on being on accepting of multiple faith systems, there are extremists. Another observation is that since Hinduism - due to its nature of being only a way of life and largely confining faith to be a personal relationship with a higher entity at various levels of knowledge (sankhayoga or the path of Jnana) , devotion (the path of Bhakti) and duty (the path of Karma or righteous work), a practising Hindu cannot (not without numerous exceptions) cannot encompass a semitic religion like Islam - which not only emphasizes the role of faith in personal life but also places a certain responsibilty on the whole society - as a collective entity to encourage and practise the objectives of faith - and it is precisely this that Christianity, the other great semitic religion has given up. But one must note Christianity has not given up religious conversion - often illegal, and this is another problem in India - since any sudden change in the demography is unhealthy for society and also since forced conversion through persuasion or inducement is against the Constitution and also deviod of morality. Where the Christian faith is less firebrand, as in developed countries ( semitic religions generally work only in economically and socially backward areas as their message of brotherhood and sharing of resources is more relavant only there) we hardly see anybody in Churches or actively participating in prayer, except in areas of conflict like Northern Ireland. Then, there are threat perceptions that people of certain religions are the root of terror. Another perception among the majority is that India is a Hindu country and other religions can exist, but only as outsiders - this mean thought is against the spirit of Constitution and the religion which these people practise.The solution to such perceptions is not easy. Terrorism, in its religious aspects can only be solved by philosophical debates. But the current situation is worsening and we must tackle atleast the violent aspects - killing of innocent civilians and destruction of property. Reforms are needed at all levels. The resignation of Mr. Shivraj Patil is only a token gesture - an acknowlegement of his ineffectiveness, a well known fact, only rubs salt into the wounds. The fact that National Security Guards took over nine precious hours to press into action due to shocking delays, emphasises the need for delocalisation of such well equipped forces at all important centres in the country. For years, senior police officials have been crying for reforms in the system and for better technology. Although it is impossible for an ordinary policeman to combat a Kalashnikov wielding and grenade throwing terrorist, better arms and ammunition can be provided without much expenditure. The intelligence system must be overhauled and there must be a proactive co-operation of the central and state intelligence agencies. Perhaps, delocalised security and combat units are also necessary, like the Homeland Security in the United States - Mr Osama Bin Laden has not paid a visit since then. Coastal security must be enhanced. It is difficult to patrol India's long coastline - an effort must be made atleast through superior technology. We must also not overlook the aerial threats and prepare - as airstrikes cause maximum havoc and fear. At the same time, our elected representatives must refrain from divisive votebank politics (which some have been indulging in), and enforce better, though not inhuman and unjust laws to instil fear in these perpretators of hatred. The executive, judiciary and bureaucracy must come together and fight this and we as the people of this ancient civilization, must actively participate.