Terrorists have struck every prominent Indian city with unerring regularity time and again. Almost every time there is considerable uproar, sense of anger, disappointment and helplessness. People are resolved to bring about a change, but will such reactions post-terror attacks suffice? What is the right way to go about to actually make a difference?
A seminar was organised by a London-based website, Urdutahzeeb.net in association with ‘The Centre for Progressive Ideas and Actions’ recently to address the issue of ‘Terrorism and the response of our composite culture’. Their endeavour was to initiate a global campaign against the anti-social role of some extremists and to reinforce secular-democratic values. The seminar was inaugurated by former director general of police PS Pasricha, who honoured Taj Hotel general manager Karambir Singh Kang and spouses of slain policemen like Vijay Salaskar and Tukaram Ombale.
Among the many eminent speakers, Ajai Sahni, renowned counter-terrorism expert and executive director of Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi said, “The root of the problem lies in the fact that is there is very little mutual understanding of the subject. There is a lot of frenzied activity that we must do something, but unless people know the real nature of the threat the solution will not be tangible. Such seminars can somewhere spread the right message probably.”
According to Sahni, the reason why Indian security agencies are unable to tackle the menace is because there is very little coordination between them. “I believe that there is a crisis of capacity. We need to increase the strength of our police force. There is need for better trained police personnel in every sphere. Personnel need to be equipped with better weaponry and their morale needs to be boosted,” he added.
Focusing on the issue of India’s composite culture and the tradition of living together, Shabana Azmi said that an individual’s identity couldn’t be compressed into the narrow aspect of the religion they were born into. “For 50 years we have neglected the police and now suddenly everyone is questioning their failure and capacity. There is requirement for critical public understanding and unless there is mutual understanding of the real nature of the threat things won’t change,” said Sahni.
Rawail Singh, spokesperson of Urdutahzeeb.net said, “There is need to create a massive campaign against the anti-social role of fanatics. A religion which creates division is a paradox in itself. Religious fanaticism born in institutions is contributing in a big way to the problem.”
Comments