O J's Corner : Reflections

Terror networks

There would be no end to terror networks as long as humanity prevails on Planet Earth. But for the present, sane people will have to take measures to ward off the danger from terrorists.

The Americans never thought that terrorists would strike at them at their core centres, including the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. In fact, the intention of the terrorists was to attack the White House as well on September 11.

This has transformed the perception of the Americans globally. Earlier, they were rather soft towards various entities which they thought were mere pressure groups, so far as these groups targeted other countries. By the time, the pressure groups had grown to gigantic terror organisations, with network the world over. Since most of these had the added advantage of brainwashing young people on the plea of protection of faith, their strength grew in geometric proportions.

The quick spread of terrorist networks was on account of the pre- 9/11 complacency of the developed nations in dealing with terror outfits.

It is common-sense knowledge that non-democratic countries have been the hub of terrorists of all hues. Military juntas, Islamic regimes, Communist autocracies all harboured terrorists. Those who reaped rich dividends were those of the Islamic variety.

This is not to cast aspersions on the majority of pious Muslim brethren who would not cause injury to a fly. They form the vast number the world over among the followers of Prophet Mohamed. They cannot kill, they cannot harm others.

But the terrorist variety are taking advantage of the sea of humanity of real faith-holders. Even on flimsy grounds, terrorists act in haste to score brownie points.

Under-world dons are operating in the name of faith. Actually, they flourish by cheating, extortion and intimidation.

The non-Muslims have done mischief to provoke the fundamentalists. What was the necessity for the extremists among the rival faith-holders to dismantle Babri Masjid in Ayodhya? Did they achieve their aims in constructing a mandir? Or, was it not possible to construct a mandir with the co-operation of all others concerned? Sane voices were absent during the Babri masjid demolition.

Congress Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao was one of the villains of the piece. He did nothing to block the dismantling of the Babri masjid. He had everything at his disposal to disperse the kar sevaks before they reached the volatile spot. He was sleeping like Rip van Winkle. The country has been paying dearly ever since Babri masjid demolition.

The plea that the BJP had gone back on its promise of not causing any harm to the structure cannot be accepted. The acumen of an administrator depends on various plans at his disposal to deal with a volatile situation. Indira Gandhi had lot of guts with her to perform the most risky tasks.

Khalistan was being announced inside the Golden Temple by those who would barge into the area from the Pakistan side using women and children as a shield, according to intelligence inputs she was supposed to have got from national and international sources. She lost no time in attacking the extremists.

In the present-day world, terrorists are hiding in non-democratic countries, fully prepared to launch attacks anywhere in the world. They are inter-connected. Dealing with them should also be joint efforts. Otherwise, the attempts would not be successful.