The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Fighting injustice is not terrorism: Oscar

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Monday, Dec 03, 2007
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Kerala - Kochi

Fighting injustice is not terrorism: Oscar

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes has said that it is wrong to brand fighting injustice and resisting oppression as terrorism.

At a seminar on “The roots and facts of terrorism” here on Sunday, organised by the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, the Minister said it was the duty of the individual to resist injustice. But often, that resistance was branded as terrorism. Only Gandhian principles of non-violence and truth could help fight terrorism effectively worldwide.

He said it was natural for poor people to protest when they lost their houses and jobs. Nobody was born a terrorist, but circumstances made one so. Muslims in most States in the country were poor and illiterate. In Gujarat, they were harassed with the help of the State machinery. This was State terrorism.

Mr. Fernandes said Islam was the religion of peace, but these days, it was widely identified with terrorism. This was part of a conspiracy and Muslims should realise that. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Bharatiya Janata Party leader, said it was the counterfeit coins in each religion who practised terrorism. He said terrorism could not take roots in the State. Muslim Youth League State president Shaji K. Wayanad said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, whichwas strong in the 1980s, had declined in Kerala, which was not ripe for such movements.

M.I. Shanavas, general secretary, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, and M.B. Rajesh, president, Democratic Youth Federation of India State unit, spoke.

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