Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Fighting terror

The editorial “Fighting the cult of the bomb” (Sept. 15) has rightly observed that the recent bombings in New Delhi demonstrate the inability of our police and intelligence agencies to take on the challenge of terrorism. This major flaw has to be set right lest further inaction should invite more diabolic strikes by forces bent on paralysing the country. Similarly, the perception that militant organisations like SIMI enjoy the trust and support of a segment of the population deserves special attention. The sense of alienation among the members of a community cannot be ignored.

N.K. Vijayan,

Kizhakkambalam

I strongly condemn the Delhi blasts. But why have terror strikes become so frequent? Indian Muslims have never supported any terrorist movement in any part of the world. Even the Kashmir insurgency has not been supported by the rest of the Indian Muslims. Poverty is not always responsible for terrorism but injustice is. When some MPs were caught on camera taking bribes, Parliament and the judiciary took remedial action immediately. But when some VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders claimed in front of the camera that they were responsible for the Gujarat pogrom, no action was taken. Injustice creates a favourable ground for breeding terrorism.

Khalid Ansari,

New Delhi

The people behind the Delhi blasts cannot be true adherents of any religion. Islam advocates love, peace and brotherhood. The police should start their investigations with an open mind. They should suspect not only Muslim youths but all the organisations which have shown in the past that they can kill people brutally.

Shahnawaz ul Rahman,

Udham Singh Nagar

The editorial aptly points to the need to upgrade the police. But why the reference to actor Shabana Azmi’s statement? Indians do not look at an artist’s religion while appreciating his or her art. Artists like Ms Azmi have been appreciated immensely in India. As far as discrimination and inequality are concerned, is there a society where discrimination does not exist? Should it be an excuse for violence?

Ashish Chaskar,

Chennai

The Babri Masjid demolition, the Mumbai riots and the Gujarat riots — indeed they are of utmost significance to every Indian as they were the harbingers of tragic consequences. But the implication that before these incidents took place, all terrorists were innocent and that any view formed about them should consider their victimhood is unacceptable. Extreme form of cruelty does not develop overnight in terrorists or Hindu and Muslim rioters. It is ingrained in them and the tag of victimhood is exploited. Those who kill in the name of religion deserve no sympathy.

Iva Sahay,

Allahabad It was pathetic to see the photograph of a young boy (Sept. 15) waiting in a hospital with his mother to receive the body of his father, perhaps the only breadwinner for the family. Where are we heading? It is always the innocent man who falls victim to terrorism. In addition to preventing and deterring terrorist acts, the government’s strategy should include crisis management and consequence management.

S. Ramanathan,

Coimbatore

Md. Malik Nawaz Khan,

Hyderabad

Shahani Fatima,

Palakkad

That the victims of bomb blasts are always the innocent people, who have absolutely no say in policymaking, is painful. What makes matters worse is the blame game the political parties resort to after such tragedies to further their ends. When we cannot give our youngsters the promise of a secure environment, is it not futile to push them to achieve great heights?

Gayathri Varma,

Chennai

The UPA government seems to have no effective strategy to deal with terrorism. It is good at making promises but not in taking action. Terrorism cannot be curbed by appeasing any community. There should be no compromise on national security.

Vallabhajosyula Prasad,

Hyderabad

Subramanyam Sridharan,

Chennai

Shibin P. Varghese,

Bangalore

Terrorists have become bold enough to send emails to the media saying they intend to strike again. Except tracing the emails and making some arrests, we are able to do nothing. We should bring back stringent laws like POTA and TADA to check the growing menace.

S. Nagaraja Rao,

Anantapur

POTA did not end terrorism when it was in force. It was instead used by the ruling parties to settle political scores. Existing laws are sufficient to combat terrorism. But the law-enforcing agencies do not implement them strictly.

K.A. Solaman,

Alappuzha

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