Author: Ashwani Kr. Chrungoo
Publication: The Organiser
Date: October 14, 2001
The world, it seems, has got engaged
in responding to the terror of terrorist onslaught. The world opinion led
by USA is by and large convinced that it is now or never. The calls of
"war', "do or die", "fight to finish", and "get ready those Who are in
the uniforms" constitute the resolve to hold the bull by the horns. The
whole focus at this point of time is either on Afghanistan or on Osama
bin Laden. Pakistan has also come in the picture more so because it is
one of the friends of Taliban and Osama and USA would like it to play a
crucial role to serve American interest in this region. But it is only
one side of the whole scenario. We cannot ignore that the religious fundamentalism
has been the main contributory factor to the growth of terrorism in the
world. The combat strategy against terrorism cannot skip its- focus on
the fundamentals of the growth of global terrorism. If the strategy turns
out to be a country-centric or a person specific, the whole exercise will
end in futility. The world opinion cannot afford to address the issue in
a piecemeal manner. Terrorism coupled with the theocratic dictation is
the biggest challenge that we face today. The people who take refuge under
the religious doctrines and principles to wage 'holy wars' are not to be
blamed fully. They get their inspiration from the established religious
doctrines. The whole society owing allegiance to those dictums of religion
believe that it is its fundamental duty to provide shelter and support
to those who take up arms in their hands to engage themselves in the holy
wars. In fact, the whole combat strategy needs to take complete picture
into consideration.
The logistic support provided to
the terrorism by the clergy, religious institutions, Islamic states and
the believers is a matter of real concern. Unless the focus is not on all
these dimensions, there is no chance of greater respite, though short-term
gains may flow. The fight against terrorism is not now limited to a particular
region or a particular country though it has already taken its toll by
inflicting ethnocide on communities and peoples. The network of terrorism,
its control operatives and its damaging access has penetrated almost all
regions throughout the globe. Complacency due to the reason such as resentment
in a particular section of society here or there is the main obstacle that
need to be taken care of by the frontline planners against terrorism.
India has been 'on the frontline
of terrorist onslaught for the last two decades, but the terrorism that
has gripped our northern frontiers and particularly Kashmir has its deep
roots in religious and theocratic objectives. Kashmiri Pandits have borne
a major brunt of terrorist onslaught. Their experiences in Kashmir, ethnic
cleansing and exodus, their genocide and exile are all various dimensions
of terrorism. Pakistan has played a key role in arming the terrorist regime
in Kashmir. It organized logistic support including militia and finances
on global level for the terrorists in Kashmir. Today, the whole world has
stood up against terrorism and Pakistan has been caught between the devil
and the deep sea. It's soft corner for Taliban and Osama, its jehad against
India and its tacit support to the blood-bath in Kashmir do not fit in
its new approach to the issue of combat strategy against global terrorism.
While it is satisfying to note that
the world has awakened to the monster's alarm. However, we need to acknowledge
that the monster has its roots in religious fundamentalism. We cannot afford
to ignore this vital issue. The unifying bond and the guiding factor for
all terrorists connected to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kashmir triangle
is their cry for holy war-jehad. The establishment of Islamic order followed
by establishment of Islamic state, genocide of minorities, ethnic cleansing
and cultural genocide are set goals of this jehad. The jehadis find it
their sacred duty to finish kafirs and cleanse their areas of influence
and operation from infidels. Not content with the physical extermination
of the minorities, it is ensured that their symbols am also destroyed,
vandalized and annihilated. The destruction of cultural symbols and religious
shrine of minorities in Kashmir or destruction of Buddha statues and other
relics in Afghanistan are some of the examples of a perfect jehad.
The war against global terrorism
cannot turn a blind eye towards the role of religious fundamentalism in
the global terrorism. In fact, the religious fundamentalism paves a breeding
ground for terrorism. In a conflict of interests, the whole scenario ultimately
boils down to a civilisational conflict. It provides us with the picture
of the democratic and civilized world on the one side and the mix-up -
of religious fundamentalism and terrorism on the other side. It is the
most poisonous and dangerous mix and the greatest challenge to the world
harmony and peace. The onslaught on the terrorist regime with a unifocal
objective to finish one or the other terrorist centers or a leader may
not be able to serve the cause in its entirety. We need to have a bifocal
-vision while tackling the biggest menace of our time. All efforts should
be aimed to eradicate both the evil and the effects of the evil.
The harbourers and supporters of
terrorism am more dangerous than the actual terrorists in the context that
they continue to produce die-hard terrorists with rigid, rabid and -fascist
indoctrination based on religious dictums. We need to take care that these
breeding grounds and sanctuaries are finished. The Islamic societies throughout
the world need to distance their societies from the age-old, rotten and
medieval concepts of the religious beliefs and doctrines. We are yet to
see any positive response from Islamic societies in this regard. Their
silence or support provides a take-off ground for hundreds and thousands
of Osamas to fill in the gap wherever necessary. It is in this particular
context that international combat formulation against terrorism has to
prepare and plan itself. The religious fundamentalism is the bigger enemy
than its offshoot the global terrorism. If our fight is shaped in this
background we shall safely lay our hands on all those areas that have susceptibility
to fall a prey to the fundamentalist goals. The journey that starts from
World Trade Center and Pentagon will otherwise end without reaching its
real destination. It is indeed now or never.