Friends, Indians and Countrymen. The ongoing terrorist attacks in the form of serial bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad and detection of 23 live bombs in Surat is indeed a proxy war by Jihadis and Pakistan on our country, an undeclared war. It also coincides, by design or otherwise, with the border firing in Jammu and Kashmir, which is continuing unabated since a few days, a case of violation of cease - fire agreement along the LoC.
The diabolical dimension of the serial bomb blasts is clear to every patriotic citizen of this country. Apparently, in this country there are citizens whose loyalty to our country is suspect or secondary, first loyalty being for one’s ideology or faith. We see this category of citizens in all countries all over the world. Of course, it may not be immoral or illegal in a world where we talk of human rights and freedom, one’s right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, to borrow from the American Constitution.
However, the danger of extending this right beyond a point where it becomes death and destruction to another citizen is obvious to all the countries that are the victims of terrorist attacks constantly or periodically. Like our country. And in our country terrorism has its roots in religion and also politics. Let us understand this truth, however unpalatable it may be to some political parties or to some sections of our citizenry, including those who are on the run from the law of our land. Time, India rose like one man and faced this challenge from the terrorists boldly without indulging in blame - games. Before every city and village of our country is strewn with these lethal terrorist weapons, we must rise to stop it on its tracks.
Gujarat Chief Minister has rightly called these serial terrorist bomb blasts as a “Proxy War”. Now, the question is how to fight a Proxy War? We should think about it and quickly put our strategy in place. “Proxy War” is more difficult to fight than the “Guerilla War”. Though “surprise” is an important component in both, in proxy war of the terrorist kind, the “theatre of war” could be anywhere from a public place to your home. It targets the army, security forces with cold blood as it does the innocent citizens, not sparing women and children.
I am wondering, like many others, what kind of religion or ideology could be the “inspiration” for such cowardly and dastardly act to achieve a goal which is unclear to the victims and appears both absurd and abstract in a civilized world. The thinking and the theology of the dark medieval age should not be allowed to harass and destroy the innocent people of the 21st century which, with the help of science, has belied many earlier beliefs of religion and the divine right of the kings to rule. 9/11 happened in America on September 11, 2001. After about three months on December 13, 2001, Indian Parliament was attacked. Destiny saved our Parliamentarians (leaders?) but six security personnel and a staffer gave their life on that day for the tomorrow of our Parliamentarians.
The irony of this tragedy is that even after 8 years, the convicted person who conspired to perpetrate the Parliament attack is awaiting execution because of the Indian Government’s lack of will, willing to strike, but not ready to hurt (or hang). Mohammad Afzal, also known as Afzal Guru, was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in 2004. It was to be carried out on October 20, 2006. What happened to those who keep saying, when it suited them, “let law take its course”. Politics? If crime is not followed by punishment, as a deterrent, the criminals will continue to commit such crimes. That's what we are witnessing today.
Look at the terror attacks inflicted on our helpless country since the Parliament attack on 13th December 2001. Some important ones only, excluding those in J&K and eastern States where it is a daily happening:
1. September 2002: Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat (29 died, hundreds wounded).
2. August 2003: Gateway of India and at Zaveri Bazaar, Mumbai (50 killed and hundred injured).
3. December 2005: IISc, Bangalore (Professor killed, some injured).
4. March 2006: Varanasi blast, UP (28 killed, hundreds injured)
5. April 2006: Jamma Masjid, Delhi (13 injured).
6. September 2006: Twin - blast in Malegaon, Maharashtra (37 killed, hundreds injured).
7. May 2007: Mosque in Hyderabad (14 killed, 50 injured).
8. May 2008: Jaipur (80 dead, hundreds injured).
Add to this the recent ones, the heat of which has still not subsided nor culprits caught. What’s wrong with our internal security? Are our men in Intelligence and Police Department incompetent or is it because of lack of political leadership?
Now, contrast this with America after 9 / 11 terrorist attack. So far not a single attack has taken place, not that there were no attempts. It was because of their Intelligence and pre - emptive action. As for internal security, there is no let or condescension. Hear this. At the American Airports there are repeated announcements as follows: “Any inappropriate comments about security will invite your immediate arrest.” This is because some passengers were mocking at the strict enforcement of security, frisking, padding, security check requiring you to remove your shoes, belt etc. It appears, in one case a passenger, on being asked what was in her handbag, had derisively or jokingly said, "Bombs". She was immediately arrested. So if you are a first time traveler to America be aware. "No jokes, please. We are Americans".
After 9/11, America, within a year on 25 November 2002, set up “United States Department of Homeland Security” with its motto “Preserving our Freedom”. It did not say “Preserving our Country”. You see the difference. Not that they love their country less. By preserving their freedom, they are preserving their country. What about us? We should at least learn from others. Do we? Homeland Security has employee strength of 2,08,000 (2007). Its annual budget: $ 44.9 billion (2007). After all, America is a big country, three times the size of India. What did we do? We had, with great difficulty, passed a law POTA which has since become an over-cooked potato. Thanks to UPA wanting to score a brownie point over NDA which had fathered that Act by dumping POTA. Did the opposition Democratic Party in US oppose the setting-up of the Homeland Security? They discussed it. If it is for the good of the country, no matter what, they pass the law. Why can’t we Indians think that way ?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the third largest Cabinet Department in the US federal government. Homeland security policy is coordinated at the White House by the Homeland Security Council. Other agencies with significant homeland security responsibilities are also included. The United States Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agent are two components of the Department of Homeland Security. The mission of the office will be to develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks. The office will coordinate the executive branch’s efforts to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks.
Do we have anything like this directly attached to the PM’s Office? Do we have a mission regarding homeland security? None in place. Which is why, the Centre and States are speaking in different languages. Advantage terrorists and their patrons. Mere condemning terrorism will not help halt future terrorist acts. Our ability to defend ourselves against terrorists has become questionable. For us, the only way to deal with the worst threats to security from terrorists is to confront them overtly and also covertly. Otherwise, evil will prevail disrupting internal peace and order. Here is a challenge for our rulers: If you are to decide between the fire fighter and the fire, will you be impartial? Winston Churchill posed this question in 1920 and answered it saying he would refuse to be impartial.
The politicisation of the terrorist problem has often placed our governments squarely on the side of the fire. No wonder, people of India do not have much information on the detection or non-detection of terrorists after each attack and their conviction or acquittal. The souls of those killed in terrorist attacks must be mourning in the other world for not punishing the guilty.
Today, India confronts a raging fire: terrorism, the single biggest threat to our country’s security. The war on terrorism is a security challenge for India. What prevents our rulers from backing the fire fighters or become fire fighters themselves? American rulers understand the agony and anxiety of American people about the terrorist attacks and take appropriate actions immediately. Sadly, Indian rulers have failed in this regard. Ask the near and dear ones of the victims of terrorism in India. Amen.
