Another go at understanding 26/11

Sometimes, the worst enemies of India’s liberals and secularists are the liberals and secularists themselves. Mumbai Post 26/11: An Alternate Perspective is a small book that has contributions by some 15 authors, including some of India’s best known luminaries from legal, media and activist circles.

Unfortunately, one of the main concerns of this book seems to be to raise doubts about the terrorist strikes in Mumbai, particularly the killings of Mumbai cops Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, and Vijay Salaskar. The introduction sets the tone, by reminding the reader how the RSS had called Karkare a “deshdrohi” (traitor) for his brilliant unearthing of Hindu terrorists. Certainly Karkare’s death, just as he was unravelling the wrongdoings of Hindu fanatics (rather than the always-presumed-guilty Muslims) is a blow to India’s secular credentials. But a tragic, unfortunate event is no reason to make unsubstantiated allegations.

For instance, journalist and columnist Raveena Hansa actually writes that Karkare’s death under mysterious circumstances “suggests to her” a conspiracy hatched and executed by right-wing Hindu fundamentalists. Without offering a shred of evidence, she writes of a conspiracy by Hindu radicals, who supposedly either worked in tandem with the terrorists who struck or took advantage of their attack (which means they were able to mobilise themselves within minutes of the terror strikes or had prior information about the attack). Frankly, this is imagination running wild.

A more balanced piece is by Praful Bidwai, who writes of the need to probe Karkare’s death separately and warns against imposing harsh laws to fight terrorism. As he points out, the present government’s UAPA is just another version of the abhorrent POTA, which was lifted by this government soon after it assumed power in 2004. Yoginder Sikand provides a brilliant analysis of the role played by the LeT and the flawed ideology behind its activities.
 In fact, the latter part of the book contains some insightful articles. Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan says it is essential that the rule of law is ensured even as we fight terrorism, while Prashant Bhusant points out that harsh anti-terror laws only make it easier for the police to detain suspects (or just ordinary citizens) and torture a confession out of them, rather than work hard to catch the actual culprits. In turn, such detentions only breed resentment and foster home-grown terrorism.

Colin Gonsalves and others rightly point out that all too often Muslims have been picked up and jailed for long periods on suspicion of being terrorists only because they are Muslims. One only wishes fine contributions such as these were given more space in this book.