Author: Editorial
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: June 2, 2006
UPA making India a soft target ---- There
is no denying the fact that had the terrorists who set out on Thursday morning
to blow up the RSS headquarters in Nagpur succeeded in their mission, jihadis
both in India and abroad would have celebrated while the Government and its
security agencies would have been left looking utterly incompetent in combating
Islamist terrorism. It is another matter that no amount of subsequent opprobrium
would have made the UPA regime even remotely remorseful, not least because
its effete response to the scourge of Islamist jihad over the past two years
has underscored its refusal to confront terrorism, thus converting the nation
into a soft target for those who kill in the name of god. By abrogating the
Prevention of Terrorism Act on the specious plea that it militates against
'secularism' soon after it came to power in 2004, the UPA, more so the Congress,
sent out a clear signal to jihadis of all shades of green that they can strike
at any target of their choice without any let or hindrance. If there were
any doubts about the Government's pusillanimity, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
has removed them by declaring a policy of zero tolerance towards "human
rights violations" which is subterfuge for warning security forces that
the regime of the day shall not tolerate tough action against terrorists.
Leader of the Opposition LK Advani cannot be faulted for his taunt that "the
phraseology zero tolerance seems addressed not to the enemy of the country
but to those who protect the country." Hence, it is not surprising that
jihadis should launch increasingly daring strikes calculated to cause loss
of lives as well as proclaim their ability to hit whenever and wherever they
wish to - Delhi's markets on the eve of Diwali, Ram temple in Ayodhya, Sankat
Mochan temple in Varanasi on the eve of Holi, Indian Institute of Science
in Bangalore, Hindus in Doda, tourists in Srinagar and now the RSS headquarters
in Nagpur.
Yes, on certain occasions the jihadis have
failed in their mission to kill and plunder. In Ayodhya, CRPF personnel fought
them back; in Nagpur, an alert police force acted on the basis of information
before the terrorists could force their way through the main entrance to the
RSS headquarters. But the credit for these successes can in no manner be attributed
to the UPA Government, least of all to the Prime Minister and his Home Minister.
On the contrary, they owe an explanation to the nation as to why and how terrorists
are able to spread their area of jihad without facing the slightest resistance.
It is not sufficient for the Government to despatch the Minister of State
for Home to brief the Congress president about Thursday's incident - the country
demands an explanation about the spurt in terrorism that has coincided with
the UPA Government's weak-kneed overtures to Pakistan. Nor is it enough to
mouth homilies about the need to maintain peace and harmony in the face of
provocation. The people of India, despite an irresolute Government at the
helm that is unaffected by the death of innocent men, women and children more
so if they happen to be Hindus, are firm in their conviction that Islamist
terror can neither dampen the national spirit nor replace loathing with fear.