There are not many differences between political parties when it comes to dealing with terrorism, filmmaker-activist Mahesh Bhatt said on Saturday.
AHMEDABAD: There are not many differences between political parties when it comes to dealing with terrorism as they hold stereotyped views on the issue, filmmaker-activist Mahesh Bhatt said on Saturday.
"In India, irrespective of the ideology of the political party that comes to power, the mindset of all the governments remains the same. Even the so-called secular government in Maharashtra harassed members of the minority community after the Mumbai train blasts," he said.
Bhatt was speaking at a conference on fighting fascism organised by NGOs, including Jan Sangarsh Manch, which is seeking justice for the post-Godhra riot victims in Gujarat.
The filmmaker criticised the US and President George Bush over America's role in global affairs.
"The entire game of the American government is to control the vast oil reserves of West Asia, and that is the reason Iraq was attacked," Bhatt said.
Turning to India, he said, "Muslims feel they cannot get justice in India. Biases have got institutionlised."
"If you think that by pushing one community into a corner you would be able to maintain peace, then you are 'jahil' (not learned)," he remarked.
"There is going to be a war when you brand a particular community as terrorists. The war has started and it will go on for ever."
Bhatt alleged even the media was biased and this was evident in its pro-America stand on issues.
Former Rajasthan High Court chief justice AP Ravani felt stringent laws like POTA were enacted to target the minority community. "There was no need for POTA as our existing laws are good enough to deal with terrorism," he said.
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