World is a theatre and terrorists are using it not for enthralling the audience, but for spreading the terror. The scourge of terrorism is a ubiquitous entity in present times. Plethoras of steps have proved futile in controlling this menace or even mitigating its effect. Something is wrong somewhere! It’s high time that concrete steps must be taken before it’s too late.
There has been considerable upsurge in the terrorist activities throughout the world in the past decade. Whether it is history changing 9/11 attack on World Trade Centre, explosions in Bali, attacks in Madrid – the list is endless- one thing which is common is the casualties caused more than that pervasion of fear in the mind of common people. India is no exception to this problem. In fact it is among the most adversely affected countries of the world. Right from early 1990’s when the Pakistan aided mercenaries raised the hood of terrorism in Kashmir, India has been harping over the need to tackle this problem at all the international forums, with no affect on the silent ears. However, the ominous speculations of India became an omnipresent testimony, post 9/11 attacks in America.
The biggest question, which therefore arises my dear friends, is that what is the cause of the uncontrollable growth of the terrorist activities? Apparently very simple, this question has very complex answer. I strongly feel that terrorism is creation of the so-called sane minds which govern us. Now, when this creation is has transformed into a FRANKENSTEIN then everyone is seeking shelter in the retaliatory violence and ineffective rhetoric. Most glaring example which strikes my mind at this point is the creation of Taliban which presently provides a strong ideological base to the terrorists worldwide. Taliban is the creation of USA, when it facilitated its growth to counter the Russians during the Cold War era. Tasting one own medicine is never a pleasant job. Therefore, what followed 9/11 attacks was a paranoia of a superpower which trampled innocent people in Afghanistan and Iraq, on the pretext of restoring democracy. But what it achieved was everything but democracy. Newspapers and news channels are full of suicide attacks and rebellions in these regions.
It is in light of this background that I firmly assert that Government should negotiate terrorism rather than trying to obliterate it mindlessly. Eradication of the root cause of the problem is required rather than palliative treatment of the problem. State is all powerful but undue exercise of power will only cause havoc. For example, if we analyse the case of Kashmir, we can easily infer that terrorist organization active there, utilize the anti-state feeling to perpetrate their ideas. Hence, this problem does not exist at the logistics level but involves perpetuation of ideology which presents terrorism as a panacea to all the problems. Any drastic step which ignores the plight and feelings of the people will only increase the influence of the hostile ideologies. Kashmir in the recent times has been under the cloud of violence, clouds so dense that even the mighty Sun of the STATE has failed to permeate through it.
Situation is bad, but not hopeless. In my opinion it is the wrong approach of the Government which has indirectly helped the terrorist ideologues to strengthen their base within the country. Moreover the acute perennial shortage of civic amenities and employment has led to erosion of faith of people in the authorities. Conditions have worsened due to the indiscreet actions of the security forces present in the terrorism affected areas. Kashmir is just an example, the problem is now not only concentrated there but its branches have sprouted and covered the whole country and whole world. Hence it would not be wrong to say that terrorism is now a global phenomenon.
Negotiation literally means to reach to an agreement with mutual consent. We should always be wary of the fact that terrorism is not an isolated phenomenon. It has social, economic, political and most of times religious rooting which has to be dealt in most careful manner so as not to damage to delicate structure of society and nation. It is impossible to compartmentalize the causes of terrorism. Moreover any hasty action such as encounters or mass arrests of people belonging to particular community or religion will only backfire.
State must bear an amenable approach to the hostile parties and try to gauge the severity of the other side of the situation. Confidence building measures must be promoted rather than indulging violent means abruptly. However this does not mean that we should compromise with our national security. Instead we should make special policies for the terrorism affected regions and assimilate their results to the people. This will result in increase in the confidence of people in the State and its policies. It can stimulate the process of attracting the deviant youths to join the mainstream rather than handling the guns. Negotiation and diplomatic overtures can bring positive change as it has possibility of changing the hearts of the master minds and their followers. The policy of “lets talk’ rather than “might is right” should be at forefront.
We cannot afford beating around the Bush (pun intended)! Concrete actions are required. Issue of terrorism should not be reduced to the bytes of news channels and subject matter of movies. Humankind is facing one of its biggest threat and we cannot afford to turn it to a frivolous issues which acts as a fodder of thought for the intellectuals! Geopolitical considerations should be measured in light of various factors such as employment, access to basic amenities, protection of rights of the people etc. We cannot afford to lose generations after others wielding guns on whims of others and gaining nothing.
A properly worked out negotiation strategy which involves a humanitarian approach and deals with the problem at ideological level is necessary. Palliative treatment which suppresses the problem shortly will not preclude the disaster which is waiting for us. Moreover, the governments throughout the world must try to forge a nexus to build a world free of terror. It’s difficult but not impossible. We should take the first sincere step. Efforts to bring the vulnerable classes which act as potential soft spots for the terror ideologues must be brought to mainstream. Moreover where there has been injustice met to the people which has forced them to resort to violent means must be undone. Violence cannot be cured by violence.
I am optimistic enough to state it firmly that, given a genuine chance, we will curb this problem. What it requires is a strong and prudent political will coupled with people’s support. Is it such a tough choice to make???
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH!!
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